UNDP Jobs - 35571- Senior Electoral Advisor

Senior Electoral Advisor

Location :

Amman, JORDAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Feb-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Background:

Pursuant to the constitutional amendment of September 29, 2011, an Independent Elections Commission (IEC) was established in Jordan, to oversee and manage all stages of the parliamentary elections and any other elections as decided by the Council of Ministers. National Parliamentary elections are set to take place on 23 January 2013.
UNDP Jordan, with the support of UNDP’s Global Programme for Electoral Cycle Support, is implementing a project to that provides technical assistance for the Independent Elections Commission. Another project to Support the Electoral Cycle in Jordan 2012 – 2015 has already started based on financial support provided by the EU.

UNDP has so far provided support to the IEC on setting up the Commission structure, recruitment processes, internal communication and functions, liaison with different national and international partners and the legislative framework. Advisors on public outreach, election operations, media, legal instructions, Gender, and IT systems mentored relevant sections at the IEC in undertaking their functions. UNDP has also supported the Commission’s mandate to oversee transparent and participatory electoral process. This is achieved through support to public outreach and awareness campaigns including using social media, conducting consultations as well as taking measures to ensure transparent and accountable process at the elections day.

A Senior Electoral Adviser (SEA) is also on board until the end of March 2013. UNDP is seeking to hire a fixed term Senior Technical Advisor to manage and coordinate the implementation of the project.

The SEA is expected to support a major project on strengthening the electoral cycle in Jordan, through working with the Independent Election Commission and managing the day to day activities of the project, in addition to providing technical support, this would include the management and initial approval of transactions, management and approval of operations in coordination with IEC, providing the needed technical assistance in setting policies and strategies, defining the vision and a comprehensive strategic plan for the IEC.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The SEA is responsible for the overall management of the project “Support for the Electoral Cycle in Jordan 2012 – 2015”. He/She will work in close cooperation with the UNDP Country Office, particularly with other governance team members, as well as operations and programme staff as required for implementation of the project. The SEA ensures that implementation of electoral support projects is consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The SEA is responsible for the planning and coordination of activities carried out by “Support for the Electoral Cycle in Jordan 2012 – 2015” in support of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC).

Under the supervision of the Country Director and the Programme Manger, the SEA will undertake the following specific responsibilities:

Supervision and overall responsibility for the project activities and staff management:

Manage towards implementing all project activities, and ensuring achieving all project outputs.
Ensures that staff apply the appropriate methods in all their activities to facilitate the building of capacity of local counterparts;
Provides provide sound technical assistance to the IEC as it begins its work
overall strategic direction to operations technical advisors and direction of long term planning and day to day activities;
Supervises the Logistics, Field coordination, IT, and other required functions; Establishes relative management scorecard targets, work plans and monitors achievement of results;
Analyse the Jordan electoral situation and trends, assess needs and identify areas for possible UNDP/UN intervention;
Facilitate policy dialogue on electoral governance and institutional development issues with the IEC, donors and civil society etc;
Based on the electoral strategy and on-going electoral programme, formulate and develop project proposals to address requirements of Jordan and provide options to IEC in this area;
Coordinates with other organizations providing technical assistance to the IEC and provides overall management to the International technical assistance to the IEC;
Advises IEC on all electoral cycle related activities and any upcoming elections by working closely with the IEC on the design of planning systems and processes, in a way that maximizes capacity building for the IEC and enables the IEC to increasingly take the lead in the planning process;
Works closely with the IEC Operations and other departments to build their capacities, increase their electoral knowledge with regard to planning, systems and implementation and enabling IEC staff to take the lead in planning for future elections;
Advises on the development of the election budget process through the identification of systems, resource requirements and costing;
Advises on the feasibility of information and communication technology solutions for electoral operations;
Advises and assists the IEC with the development of contingency plans to ensure the election process remains on track.
Recruit and manage the activities of the team of national and international consultants
Be responsible, in coordination with both UNDP Regional Headquarters in Cairo and UNDP Brussels Office, for the timely preparation and quality control of all substantive technical reports, briefs and required documents.
Advise Country Office on electoral reform, legislative and policy issues with a long term perspective
In collaboration with project support, initiate procurement of goods and services including preparation of technical specifications and ToRs for GPECs and EU project
Support the detailing of lessons learned exercises.
Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender and human rights are incorporated into the electoral programme, and facilitate the formulation of cross-cutting initiatives;
Organize and manage the work of the UNDP electoral programme to ensure proper planning, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the programme;

Oversight, monitoring and reporting of operational activities:

Supports the IEC in monitoring electoral activities, especially during peak times leading up to and immediately after events such as voter registration and election day activities of all electoral and advisory staff, and advises the IEC electoral operations on implementation progress;
Advises monitors and reports to the project Steering Committee, Technical committee, IEC and UNDP on project activities.
Liaises and advocates as necessary with UN Agencies, government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society organizations, in coordination with the Country Office;
Maintains a system of continuous evaluation of electoral operational activities;
Advise the IEC on operational issues affecting delivery and overall operations;
Identifies new approaches and modalities that are adaptable in order to achieve established targets.
Ensures timely production and submission of all partial and/or progress reports by all members of the project team, contractors and project partners.
Organizes the project review and/or evaluation meetings on a quarterly basis;
Prepare background document, briefs and issues’ papers, progress reports for the project meetings and for donor reporting.
Prepares project work plans and progress reports in collaboration with the UNDP Democratic Governance
Program Analyst and Country Director. Ensure that these reports are shared with EAD and BDP, as per DPA/UNDP Note of Guidance on electoral assistance.
Ensures that the projects’ quarterly progress report are finalized and submitted on time and that risks and issues logs are updated quarterly.
Manage the accurate and timely reporting on the progress of the project and ensures that reports are provided to donors according to UNDP’s contractual obligations; and according to donors’ requirements and formats, in coordination with the CO.

Coordination of the design, set up and management of the facilities required in the field for elections processes:

Assists the IEC in the design of its HQ including all facilities, operations, storage facilities, Data Management, and media facilities;
Facilitate dialogue on electoral best practices and lessons learned with IEC, representatives of government, civil society, media, and others

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge, Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in IEC and a learning environment through leadership and personal example;
In – depth practical knowledge of interdisciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP Programme.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Exerience in advising IEC and UNDP CO on electoral frameworks and systems and elections planning and operations;
Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes , results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Ability to apply development theory to be specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Management Leadership

Builds strong relationship with stakeholders, focuses on impact and result for the stakeholders and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive , constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control, even under pressure;
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations
Sound time management and organized skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational, and communication skills;
Proven management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle;
Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power point and Word

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development, Political Sciences, International Relations, Management or other relevant fields.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of experience in electoral administration and electoral projects’ management;
Experience in advising and/or planning , organizing and supervising in countries with context similar to Jordan;
Prior experience in the Middle East, in particular on previous election management programs a significant advantage;
Experience in design, monitoring and evaluating development programmes, project control and resource mobilization with an electoral focus;
Experience in working directly with election commissions, preferably including a focus on institutional development;
Experience working with the UN or an international organization, working on electoral and/or governance issues;
Experience and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures strongly desired; and
Experience in working with EU supported projects is preferable.

Knowledge

Extensive knowledge of electoral processes;
Extensive expertise in policy issues connected to electoral reform and democratic governance;
Knowledge of policy making institutions and how to influence those processes;
Knowledge of capacity development issues and delivering on the job-training; and
Expertise in the preparation of an electoral budget; and
Knowledge of EU guidelines on reporting.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

FC: 30079