UNDP Jobs - 48258- Senior Electoral Advisor

Senior Electoral Advisor

Location :

Amman, JORDAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2014

Application Deadline :

26-Jul-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

Arabic 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

In 2012, an Independent Election 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. Following the successful conduct of elections in January 2013, the IEC has embarked on a long-term institutional development and capacity building process.
At the request of the Government of Jordan, UNDP, with funding provided by the EU, is implementing a four-year project (2012-2016) to provide technical assistance and to help build the capacity of the new institution.
The Senior Electoral Adviser (SEA) is expected to lead this major project by working directly with the IEC, setting strategic directions for electoral assistance, providing expertise and technical assistance to the IEC, managing the day to day activities of the project, and ensuring proper management of financial and human resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The SEA is responsible for the overall planning, management and implementation of the project “Support for the Electoral Cycle in Jordan 2012 – 2016”, and the achievement of project results. He/she will head the project and provide leadership and guidance to the project’s team of consultants and advisers. 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 regulations, rules and contractual obligations. He/she will also be responsible for communicating project progress among all concerned parties.

Summary of key functions:

Technical advice and overall responsibility for project implementation and management;
Oversight, monitoring and reporting of project implementation and operational activities.

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

Technical advice and overall responsibility for project implementation and management:

Provide high level policy and technical advice to the Chair and Commissioners of the IEC, the IEC Secretary-General, as well as other senior staff of the IEC;
Plan, direct, implement, manage and supervise all project activities and the delivery of project outputs, aimed at building the capacity of the IEC as a professional, sustainable and credible institution;
Provide advice and support to the IEC departments in their capacity building efforts; formulate and implement activity proposals for capacity-building opportunities;
Analyse the electoral situation and trends in Jordan, and identify areas for possible UNDP/UN support;
Facilitate dialogue on electoral best practices, institutional development, lessons learned and electoral reform with IEC, as well as with representatives of government, civil society, media, and others as appropriate;
Provide overall strategic direction to, and manage, a team of staff and advisers; ensure that staff and advisers apply appropriate methods in all their activities to help build the capacity of the IEC;
Initiate procurement of goods and services including preparation of technical specifications and ToRs;
Adviseountry Office on electoral reform, legislative and policy issues with a long term perspective;
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;
Coordinate with other organizations providing technical assistance to the IEC and provide overall management to international technical assistance to the IEC.

Oversight, monitoring and reporting of project implementation and operational activities:

Ensure regular and proper monitoring and evaluation of the work of all project staff and advisers; ensure regular reporting from all advisers;
Ensure proper management of all financial and human resources, in line with UNDP regulations, rules and contractual obligations;
Monitor activities, provide advice, prepare briefing papers, and report to the project steering committee and technical committee; provide regular information to IEC, UNDP, EU and the donor community as appropriate on project activities;
Prepare project work plans and progress reports in collaboration with the UNDP country office; ensure that reports are provided to donors according to UNDP’s contractual obligations and according to donors’ requirements and formats, in coordination with the Country Office; ensure that these reports are shared with EAD and BDP, as per UN system-wide policies;
Liaise and advocate as necessary with UN agencies, government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society organizations, in coordination with the Country Office;
Organize project reviews and/or evaluations meetings on a regular basis.

Impact of Results

The IEC has been the central institution in the planning, implementation and management of the parliamentary election of January 2013, but it remains a young institution. Effective management of UNDP’s support to the electoral cycle will contribute to consolidating the IEC’s gains since its establishment, to enhancing the IEC’s capacity to fulfil its mandate for future elections, and to promoting inclusive participation in electoral processes. By working closely with UNDP democratic governance portfolio staff, the SEA will also contribute to developing capacities in electoral cycle management and technical knowledge.

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:

Experience 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, Management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience, of which at least seven years comparative international experience in electoral administration and electoral project 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;
Experience in working with EU supported projects is desirable.

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;
Expertise in the preparation of an electoral budget;
Knowledge of EU guidelines on reporting is desirable.

Language:

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