UNDP Jobs - 49198- Chief Technical Adviser/Electoral Cycle

Chief Technical Adviser/Electoral Cycle

Location :

Port-au-Prince, HAITI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English French

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

Since the major earthquake, which took place in 2010, there is significant progress on the reconstruction process and cities have recovered some level of normality, recovering public spaces, improving infrastructure and upgrading some areas. Haiti has experienced relative stability, although there have been tensions and anti-government protests around the elections that should have been held in 2012. Weak national capacity, natural disasters and lack of a permanent electoral institution had made organizing elections difficult. Formation of a transitional Electoral College Board (CTCEP) and a new electoral law approved in December 2013 by the lower chamber of the parliament, helped advance the process to renew a third of the Parliament and all municipal and local entities.

Despite obstacles, since 2006 the support of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP), the Organization of American States (OAS) and other technical and financial partners helped the Haitian authorities to: a) facilitate and coordinate the efficient use of resources for the elections; b) support the voter registration and its links with vital process, which is the responsibility of the National Identification Office (ONI); c) support the electoral process as a whole in terms of quality and implementation and d) assist in the conduct of elections in accordance with international standards for free electoral processes, transparent and democratic.

Since the 2006 general elections in Haiti, UNDP manages the financial contributions for elections and implements development projects and activities in the framework of support for the electoral process.

The "Support to the Electoral Process in Haiti" ensures the proper use and transparent management of financial resources from contributions of the Haitian government and donors. The elections in 2014 will involve the registration of 6,000,000 voters, the installation of more than 1,800 polling centers and 13,500 polling stations, as well as the deployment of more than 50,000 employees across the country. The ultimate goal is to ensure the gradual transfer of technical and technological skills, as well as national ownership of expertise to Haiti to organize in the future regular, reliable and credible elections without external support.

Hence, the project "Support to the Electoral Process in Haiti" conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to strengthen the capacity of the Transitional College of the Permanent Electoral Council (CTCEP) to ensure the organization of legislative, local and municipal elections, that they are conducted in a free, transparent, credible and inclusive manner. The objectives of this project are to strengthen the capacity of the institutions involved in the organization of elections and in the process of elections. In this context, the project revolves around three components: i) strengthening the institutional capacity of CEP, ii) Support to National Identification Office (ONI) responsible for the voter identification process and the transmission CTCEP information needed to update the voters list in agreement with the Organization of American States (OAS) and iii) support for 2014-2015 electoral process.

To carry out the activities related to the above project and deliver on its outputs, UNDP Haiti seeks to recruit a Chief Technical Advisor (CTA).

Under the authority and direction of the UNDP management in Haiti and the technical supervision of the Deputy Country Director / Programme, the CTA, in his capacity as Head of the Project Management Unit, will work closely with the CTCEP, with MINUSTAH and with others, to promote a credible electoral process as transparent as possible. It is understood that it will only take instructions from UNDP, which is part of the Steering committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Strategic Policy Direction;
Programme Support;
Organization and Management;
Capacity Development for Institutional Reform and Development;
Strategic partnerships and Resource Mobilization.

The mains tasks incumbents to the CTA are:

Strategic Policy Direction

Provide strategic policy advice and promote fora for national and international experts,
Provide advice to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) on planning, organization and conduct of the electoral process;
Provide overall guidance and leadership to the technical assistance team providing electoral support to the IEC. In this regard, the CTA will partner with all other implementing agencies providing support to the electoral authorities.
Provide technical advice to national authorities for the organization of elections (voters registration, scheduling of elections, voting procedures, counting of ballots, tabulation, etc.), and, based on experience, make recommendations on reforms and adjustments that may improve the conduct of the process;
Provide the Steering Committee (SC) advice and information for strategic planning and decision making;
Facilitate periodic meetings of the Technical Committee (TC); in collaboration with United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) representative;
Ensure information sharing with stakeholders in the electoral process and the United Nations;

Programm Support:

Set up and organize the Technical Support Team to the Electoral Process;
Manage, supervise and coordinate at technical and administrative levels, the PMU (Unité de Gestion du projet) including experts, consultants and local staff;
Plan and coordinate partner support to Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and other stakeholders and advise the government on the matter;
Prepare quarterly progress reports and annual reports on the activities of the Project, to the attention of UNDP and the Steering Committee (SC);
Keep the secretariat periodic briefings and consultation for UNDP, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and development partners;
Prepare and assist evaluation missions of the Project;
Supervise the work of preparation for the audit of the Project.

Organization and Management:

Prepare annual work plan and results framework based on approval of the Government and UNDP take the lead in implementing for delivery of results;
Oversee the public outreach, external relations, gender and Media Commission advisory functions;
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;
Supervise and coordinate the sub-programs of the basket fund;
Establish performance management system, based on UNDP’s results and competency assessment system, to monitor staff performance;

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 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.

Strategic partnerships, and Resource Mobilization:

Contribute to the mobilization of funds with partners for additional resources to the electoral process;
Be responsible to the Steering Committee (SC) of the common basket fund and provide the secretariat of this coordination mechanism of the Project;
Provide strong fundraising arguments to donors or stakeholders;
Perform other relevant duties as required by the Resident Representative, Country Director or Deputy Country Director/Programme of UNDP;
Ensure at all times that the Project does not compromise the credibility of the UN system, the interests of countries and partners involved in the process.
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;
Analyze information on donors, prepare substantive briefs for the IEC and UNDP on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for cost-sharing.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership:

Professionalism:

Very good knowledge of electoral systems and procedures, field expertise, ability to adapt to the specific realities of the host country;
Ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the activities of a multidisciplinary team;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Knowledge of financial rules and regulations of UNDP and / or other development partners.

Planning and organization:

Ability to plan and organize work.

Communication:

Ability to write clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.

Technological Ability:

Good knowledge of computers.

Organizational skills:

Solid capacity for analysis and synthesis of situations and empowered to find solutions;
Ability to work under stress of deadlines and results showing initiative, dynamism and pro activity;
Aptitude and interest in working together in a multicultural environment;
Strong written and oral expression and actual abilities to formulate clear and concise ideas;
Ability to communicate effectively with the different partners and donors involved;
Openness and willingness to adaptability and flexibility in relations with its staff.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Pedagogy and wish to register in a framework of knowledge transfer;
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A university degree (BAC +5, minimum) in political science, international relations, law, social sciences, public administration or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in the field of electoral systems, legislation and management processes or electoral projects;
Proven experience in the formulation of technical advice to stakeholders in the electoral process, including election management bodies and development partners;
Proven experience in the planning, implementation and supervision of electoral assistance projects funding of international organizations;
Experience in project management and human resources management;
Specific experience in coordination of TFP, Government Relations - PTF and management of a common fund multi-donor;
Professional experience in transitional or emerging democracies;
Previous experience in the same job level is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken.