UNDP Jobs - 47755- Re-advervtisement - Senior Technical Advisor (ELEC

Re-advervtisement - Senior Technical Advisor (ELECT Project Pillar 3)

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with possibility of extension

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

Applicants who previously applied need not re-apply

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, and governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.

ELECT II which commenced January 2012 was conceived as a targeted and focused project providing a support and advisory role, with a particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity development during the inter-election period. In line with the process of transition or Afghanistan, as articulated in the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the number of international staff was significantly reduced from previous years.

As the result of a project Mid-term Review and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, the ELECT II project has been extended beyond its original end date of December 2013 until December 2015, and the project objectives have been revised to now include direct electoral assistance for the conduct of the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council Elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.

The overall objective of ELECT II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible elections, most immediately the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections, and to better ensure the integrity of the process. Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2096 (2013).This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).

This is being accomplished through seven focused outputs:

Output 1: Output 1 - Sustainability of the IEC is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development.

Output 2: A sustainable, long-term approach to voter registration in Afghanistan, which also promotes maximum participation of eligible citizens in the 2014 and 2015 elections, is developed and implemented.

Output 3: The IEC’s engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced.

Output 4: The IEC’s operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened.

Output 5: The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved.

Output 6: The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced.

Output 7: The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) will provide strategic advice to the Chairman and the Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on all electoral matters, and will ensure cooperation and coordination among key stakeholders and partners involved in the electoral process. The STA is also expected to liaise closely with UNAMA, donors and other election stakeholders to build strategic partnerships. In this capacity the STA promotes thematic and sectorial synergies and coordination of programme activities and execution.

The STA will provide strategic direction for the development of electoral policy and the consolidation of institutional capacity of the IEC. In order to stimulate dialogue and strategic thinking in relation to Afghan electoral policy and a potential reform process, the STA will provide strategic policy advice and promote fora for national and international experts. S/he will, in addition, formulate strategic direction to enhance UNDP’s public outreach and advocacy on electoral matters.

The STA will provide overall guidance and leadership to the technical assistance team providing electoral support to the IEC. In this regard, the STA will partner with all other implementing agencies providing support to the electoral authorities. Specifically, the STA will provide leadership in facilitating coordination and exchange of information between donors and implementing agencies in these areas of support.

Key responsibilities of the STA will include:

Strategic Policy Direction;
Programme Support;
Organization and Management;
Delivery of Project Results;
Capacity Development for Institutional Reform and Development;
Marketing and Advocacy;
Strategic partnerships, Coordination and Resource Mobilization.

Strategic Policy Direction:

Coordinate the strategic planning, formulation and monitoring of programmatic issues and act as the key senior policy advisor to the Afghan electoral management bodies;
Providing political, institutional and policy advice on all aspects of electoral capacity building, administration and management of the IEC;
Assessing programme development challenges and highlights key election issues; provides policy advice based on best global experiences and practices;
Provides intellectual leadership in the subject area through identification of key policy and programme issues. Stimulates strategic thinking in the subject area and tap into opportunities;
Provides substantial advice in formulating policy options for IEC on electoral issues;
Ensures network of prominent, policy-focused national and international experts to bring best practices and support a series of dialogue roundtables to facilitate knowledge transfer;
Developing alliances for policy reform amongst national and international development institutions;
Document best practices, including concepts, strategies and implementation approaches, through analytical reports.

Programme Support:

Advise IEC leadership on strategies in preparing a long-term capacity building strategy for the institution;
Provide regular monitoring and progress reports to the UNDP Country Director on the achievements in strengthening the capacity and support to the IEC;
Provide advice and recommendations to the UNDP Country Director on how UNDP can further strengthen and support the IEC;
Guide and advise the Pillar 3 team in preparation of the Pillar 3 activities and budgets.

Organization and Management:

Identify, as part of international recruitment requirements of UNDP, highly prominent international and national experts;
Prepare annual work plan and results framework for the Pillar 3 and based on approval of the Government and UNDP take the lead in implementing for delivery of results;
Facilitate the day-to-day functioning of the Pillar 3;
Oversee the public outreach, external relations, gender and Media Commission advisory functions for the Pillar 3;
Oversee the external and internal communications and reporting functions;
Organize meetings of the Project Board (Steering Committee);
As per corporate UNDP requirements, establish participatory governance and decision-making system which involves all project staff; ensure enabling environment for high level performance of all project personnel;
Establish performance management system, based on UNDP’s results and competency assessment system, to monitor staff performance;
Ensure security of the staff and assets belonging to the Pillar 3.

Delivery of Project Results:

Lead the Pillar 3 team in preparing component or output-based concept or strategy papers and implementation manuals or guidelines;
Prepare results framework for each output and establish performance and impact assessment indicators and system;
Manage delivery of results by using up-to-date best practices and know-how in the subject area and accordingly plan delivery of resources at 25-20% for first, 50-70% for second, 75-90% for third and 100% for final quarters of the performance year;
Review professional performance and document implementation processes and results through project-based professional reports.

Capacity Development for Institutional Reform and Development:

Prepare capacity development plan, taking into consideration the need of the government, non-government, local authorities and other development partners;
Promote the capacity development approach developed by UNDP and, in consultation with the Government and UNDP, implement transfer of know-how through a series of training and learning events;
Supervise the Pillar 3’s capacity building efforts aimed at government counterparts, local authorities and development organizations;
Document the experience of capacity development initiatives and prepare the national policy and strategy;
Monitor the achievements of capacity development initiatives and ensure follow-up support.

Marketing and Advocacy:

Advocate and promote synthesis of best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks;
Provide policy direction to ensure preparation of brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination in the area of electoral assistance;
Prepare professional articles and showcase UNDP’s role in supporting the IEC.

Strategic partnerships, Coordination and Resource Mobilization:

Serve as a resource focal point on election policies and strategies, if required, within the UN system in Afghanistan;
Analyze information on donors, prepare substantive briefs for the IEC and UNDP on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for cost-sharing;
Mobilize and network with the experts of international development community, government partners, UN Agencies and prominent think-tanks. Build and maintain excellent relations with stakeholders;
Provide strategic direction to the Pillar 3 team towards mobilizing human, technical and financial resources.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Encourages and strengthens team work;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge on development issues;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development of Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, mobilize resources;
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
Strong IT skills;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Development, Political Sciences, Management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience, of which at least seven years of professional experience in senior programme/project management in the field of elections;
Extensive knowledge of the UN system and of UN electoral assistance;
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;
Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic with sound judgment;
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
Dedication to the United Nations principles, to promotion of equal rights of men and women, and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity;
Proven management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle in the field of elections (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
Proven skills in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations;
Proven experience in partnership building and networking;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Excellent command of oral and written English;
Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power-Point and Word;
Knowledge of Afghanistan’s electoral experience, broader cultural, traditional and Islamic contexts.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English;
Working knowledge of Dari, Pashto is a strong asset.

Note:

Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcement and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);
Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted;
For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af.
Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment;
Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.