UNDP Jobs

As part of the International Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT), the Technical Specialist, Electoral Political Entities advises and supports Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in the development and implementation of electoral strategies, policies and procedures, which engage political entities, coalitions, candidates and other political representatives, with a view to promoting participation and strengthening trust in electoral processes.

Under the authority of the Resident Representative, the Country Director, the Deputy Country Director/Programme and the Deputy Resident Representative/Operations; and under the overall supervision of the Governance Programme Team Leader; and under the direct supervision of the UNDP Electoral Programme Advisor, the Technical Specialist, Electoral Political Entities works closely with Iraqi counterparts of the IHEC, representatives of political entities and other Iraqi stakeholders, as well as UN IEAT electoral advisors and other partners in performing the following:

•  Provide guidance and advice to the IHEC and to the IEAT on planning, developing and implementing a strategy for the IHEC on working with political entities.
• Promote and encourage IHEC engagement and dialogue with political representatives, political entities and candidates, as electoral stakeholders; advise the IHEC on methods to increase communication and outreach with political entities and candidates.
• Provide guidance and advice to IHEC counterparts, particularly staff of the Political Entities Section, on working with political entities at both national and provincial or constituency level.
• Provide technical advice to the IHEC on all activities relating to political entities for electoral events, including development of an operational plan, with timelines, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and the development of regulations and procedures.
• Advise on the management of data relating to political entities and candidates.
• In consultation with other relevant IEAT advisors, develop a capacity building curriculum for IHEC staff on working with political entities; conduct on-job training as necessary.
• In coordination with other relevant IEAT advisors, provide guidance to the IHEC on development of a training or information programme for political entity representatives.
• Provide advice on the accreditation process and provision of information for political entity agents for electoral processes.
• Promote appropriate coordination of IHEC political entities staff with other IHEC units, as appropriate.
• Liaise closely with relevant stakeholders, including but not exclusively other UNAMI and UN agencies, other international agencies, and relevant Iraqi electoral stakeholders.
• Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender and human rights are incorporated into IEAT electoral support in the area of external relations with political entities.
• Provide regular reports on progress and activities, including analysis of lessons learned and best practices.
• Undertake other tasks as necessary, as assigned by the UNDP Programme Advisor or UNAMI Chief Electoral Advisor.

Corporate Competencies:

• Ethics and Values
• Organizational Awareness
• Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring
• Working in Teams
• Communicating Information and Ideas
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence
• Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements
• Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making
  

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise:

• Demonstrates thorough understanding of strategies for working with political entities
• Possesses comparative knowledge of election administration in different countries, in particular in engagement of political entities in electoral processes
• Familiarity with electoral best practices and international standards in elections
• Ability to work independently and show initiative
• Establishes goals and priorities and able to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan
• Shows initiative and the ability to manage complex political situations
• Consistently approaches work with a positive, constructive attitude
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office and with stakeholders
• Demonstrates commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work, and in electoral processes.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; is able to communicate complex technical issues and ideas in a clear and concise manner
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience
• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Conceptual innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise:

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
• Proven analytical and evaluative skills, and the ability to assess problems and formulate solutions; Offers new and different options to solve problems
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Client-Orientation:

• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep them informed, anticipate problems and identify opportunities.
  

Education:

• Masters degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Relations, or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years functionally relevant professional experience
• Comparative experience in election administration, with specific experience in engaging political entities in electoral processes.
• Experience in working directly with Electoral Management Bodies, with a focus on provision of technical advice and/or capacity building
• Experience in working in post-conflict or transitional countries required; and experience in the region an asset
  Experience working with the UN, a UN agency or an international organization on electoral issues.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English both oral and written
• Working knowledge of Arabic an asset.

Other:

• Competent in usage of MS Office software programmes (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• The candidate should be able to work in hardship conditions
• The post requires considerable cultural and political sensitivity.