Background

Democratic governance is a concept that emerged from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative, equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media; and a dynamic civil society which is engaged in the political process. The overall goal of the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD) in Nigeria is to help develop the capacity of national and sub-national institutions, networks and processes, whether governmental or non-governmental, as a contribution to the further entrenchment of democratic governance in Nigeria.

Efforts on the electoral cycle reinforce national efforts to build the norms, practices, mechanisms and institutions that can foster active citizenship and stronger democratic accountability, in keeping with the stated objectives of Government policy. The project provides technical assistance to the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral Commission and State Independent Electoral Commissions. In addition, the project works with civil society and other democratic institutions to help them maximize public participation and confidence in the outcome of elections.

Work on broader issues of democratic governance helps build the norms, practices and institutions that can underpin the development of democratic governance in Nigeria over the medium- to long-term whilst also supporting near-term action on pressing issues such constitutional and electoral reform. The project, with the support made available through a joint donor fund established to provide assistance to Nigerian democratic institutions, primarily  technical assistance and financing for capacity development linked to practical outcomes in a number of areas: legislature, election management bodies, political parties, civil society, media, gender equality in politics.

This post is a Development Project Funded (DPF) post.

The contributors to the project are the European Union, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A Project Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.

Under the strategic direction of the Project Director, and working in close coordination with UNDP’s Capacity for Governance Team Leader and development partners, the Elections Advisor will support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of priorities, preparation of relevant documents and follow up support for management and continued partnership development to the project on behalf of UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Strategic advice on highly sensitive political elections and democratization issues to top level policy and decision makers, based on careful analysis and research;
• Project team leadership as Deputy Project Manager Programme Director;
• Manage the project component targeting electoral management bodies at federal and state levels and build relationships accordingly, notably by chairing and leading the relevant Sector Coordination Committee;
• Coordination with other partners, forge relationships, mobilize resources, liaise with UNDP New York and regional capabilities;
•  Any other duties as assigned by the Project Director.

Strategic advice on highly sensitive political elections and democratization issues to top level policy and decision makers, based on careful analysis and research:

• Provide advisory support to policy and decision makers in UNDP, development partners and Government on critical issues in the deepening of democracy and the electoral process;
• For this purpose, prepare and present relevant products (concept notes, issues papers, situation assessments) as well as guide the design, execution, peer review and publication of policy research and analysis on democratic governance issues which can turn the project into the pre-eminent source of cutting-edge thinking and writing on Nigeria’s political development.
• In addition, provide overall strategic operational advice and guidance on resource and management matters.

Project team leadership as Deputy Project Manager:

• Deputize for the Project Director in his/her absence or as advised represent him/her at meetings and events;
• Work in close collaboration with the Programme Management Unit (PMU) the UNDP Country Office and other partners working under the different pillars of the project.
• Ensure coherence of the work of the technical staff of the PMU and provide advice to the Project Director on this matter.

Manage the project component targeting electoral management bodies at federal and state levels and build relationships accordingly, notably by chairing and leading the relevant Sector Coordination Committee

• Analyse broader democratic governance and electoral issues and trends in the country and advise the project and the partners accordingly;
• Provide support to the Nigeria election management bodies and donor partners in the preparations and conduct of elections as relevant to program activities;
• Provide technical electoral advice to the election management bodies and other implementing agents in the design, preparation, implementation and coordination of the joint programme supported activities to ensure its efficient and effective contribution to the successful conduct of the elections, including operational planning for each one of the electoral phases as required by the EMB;
• Monitor and implement joint programme activities through regular interaction with the election management bodies;
• Attend monthly meetings in the donor group by briefing the group on the progress on electoral assistance;
• Provide substantive input, derived from best practices, in the strategic direction of the work of the steering committee.

Provide timely reports on programmes to the steering committee on progress

• Coordination with other partners, forge relationships, mobilize resources, liaise with UNDP New York and regional capabilities;
• Develop and nurture broader partnerships in the areas of democratic governance and elections, communicate and advocate the international partners’ positions and engage with Nigerian partners accordingly;
• Build and maintain strong cooperative relationships with relevant local networks and contacts, including partner organisations, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the shared vision, mission and strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative;
• Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Proven competence in the field of democratic governance, well-informed on both electoral and broader democratic governance issues such as legislative development, the role and potential of mass and community media, civil society in emerging democratic societies, and the participation and role of women in politics;
• Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors within the project, although possibly more knowledgeable and experienced in some areas;
• S/he should have a strong grasp of the strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues involved in capacity development in the area of democratic governance;
• Ability to appreciate and respond productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in a politically challenging environment;
• Ability to maintain calm and poise in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in mediation and consensus-building;
• Solid academic background and demonstrated abilities in analysis of complex political situations and providing strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment;
• Proven managerial experience in an international context and ability to lead teams;
• Proven ability to make sound decisions in delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance between a focus on detail and keeping an eye on the big picture. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Strong inter-personal communications and diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen, understand and respond effectively to different and divergent points of view expressed by a wide range of stakeholders;
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans;
• Proven ability to work under pressure and produce output that is accurate, timely and of high quality. Ability to manage conflicting priorities;
• Ability to understand and apply tools such as the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s RBM and PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management. Ability to support and provide oversight to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Resourcefulness, good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with and between different levels and types of project personnel and counterparts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  

•  Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) related to democratic governance and development, such as political science, economics and other social sciences.

Experience:  

• Progressively responsible work experience of at least 10 years in democratic governance, including at least 7 years in electoral issues, dealing with:
• (a) electoral advisory work in different operational matters;
• (b) policy dialogue and advisory work;
• (c) leadership and management of research and analysis;
• (d) design and execution of capacity development programmes;
• (e) project management, including the leadership of multi-disciplinary expert teams, preferably funded by development partners (UN or other); and
• (f) promotion of stakeholder/community awareness of and participation in democratic governance;
• A good understanding of the social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning African and, ideally, Nigerian governance and electoral processes;
• Proven skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building;
• Proven ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in democratic governance.

Excellent PC user skills:

• Word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research.

Language Requirements:

•  Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports;
•  Excellent spoken English is also required.

Other:

• Ability to travel within Nigeria and overseas.

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.