UNDP Jobs - 50011- International Consultant

International Consultant - Training Advisor

Location :

Amman, JORDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

23-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

50 working days spread over a period of three months.

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

50 working days spread over a period of three months.

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

UNDP’s programme to support the electoral cycle in Jordan, primarily funded by the European Union, consists of technical and material electoral assistance. The programme is designed to enhance the institutional and professional capacities of the newly-established Independent Election Commission (IEC). The objective is to assist the IEC to deliver its mandated functions of conducting credible and transparent elections – and further consolidate itself as a permanent, professional, credible and independent institution of governance, with the benefits of its work enjoyed equally by men and women.

Following a capacity assessment of the IEC facilitated by UNDP Jordan, the IEC developed a capacity development action plan for 2014-2016. It notes that the adoption and publication of standard procedures for electoral operations would help create consistency on the part of the IEC, and hence build public confidence that the IEC will provide equal treatment to all. It also notes the need for development of associated training materials on these procedures to ensure the procedures are clearly understood and implemented correctly. Consequently, the action plan includes activities to review and develop procedures on a range of processes and to develop training modules on these procedures.

To contribute to this, the IEC has instituted a formal process to review their electoral procedures in order to identify areas for improvement and define recommendations for future elections. This includes testing procedures through simulations and review of procedural documents to assess their appropriateness as a basis for training materials. UNDP is providing guidance and advice to the IEC on the review process, and therefore seeks a qualified specialist to support the IEC in this area.

Objectives:

To support the IEC review of electoral procedures, through organizing and facilitating discussions and practical exercises to simulate, demonstrate and test electoral procedures;
To provide technical advice to the IEC on design and development of materials and tools for training on electoral procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Electoral Advisor, and in close cooperation with the Senior Procedures Advisor, the Training Advisor will work closely with the IEC working group on electoral procedures and with other designated sections at the IEC. In support of IEC activities to review electoral procedures and associated training materials, the Training Advisor will:

Provide inputs to the IEC review of procedures for election operations from an electoral training perspective;
Provide guidance and advice to the IEC on the design of associated training materials for electoral procedures and the development of training tools;
Organize and facilitate discussions and practical exercises to simulate, demonstrate and test electoral procedures;
Provide technical advice on procedural documents in relation to their appropriateness for use in training;
Provide on-job mentoring to relevant IEC staff on the development of materials for training on electoral procedures and devising activities to test procedures.

Expected outputs and deliverables

Deliverable: 50% on 30 November 2014; Complete an interim report on activities undertaken in support of the review of electoral procedures and associated training.

Output: Interim report on activities undertaken

Deliverable: 50% on 12 January 2015 - Complete a final report on activities undertaken during the consultancy including relevant recommendations to the IEC

Output: Final report on activities undertaken and recommendations.

Competencies

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise:

Has substantial and diverse experience in electoral administration in different countries;
Is familiar with electoral best practices and international standards in elections;
Demonstrates thorough knowledge of election operations and all phases of the electoral cycle;
Exhibits clear understanding of capacity development strategies and assessment methodologies;
Able to work independently and show initiative;
Establishes goals and priorities and
Is able to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
Is able to communicate complex technical issues and ideas in a clear and concise manner;
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.

Client Orientation:

Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;

focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

monitors developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep them informed, anticipate problems and identify opportunities.

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals and promotes good team spirit;
Develops and maintains strong relationships with colleagues and counterparts;
Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others;
Able to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Relations, or related field.

Work Experience:

A minimum of seven (07) years of functionally-related relevant professional experience;
Comparative experience in electoral administration, in both election operations and capacity development;
Experience in designing and delivering training programmes on electoral procedures;
Experience in working directly with Electoral Management Bodies, providing technical assistance and advice;
Prior electoral experience in the Arab region required, with experience in Jordan a strong asset;
Experience working with the UN, a UN agency or an international organization on electoral issues;
Competent in usage of MS Office programmes (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
The post requires considerable cultural and political sensitivity.

Language:

Fluency in English, both written and spoken;
Working knowledge of Arabic an asset.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

The selection process will be carried out in the following manner:

Qualifications, technical proposal and an interview will be weighted a max. of 70% based on the following criteria:

An advanced university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Relations, or related field, 5 points;
A minimum of seven (07) years of functionally-related relevant professional experience, 20 points;
Proven experience in working directly with Electoral Management Bodies and providing technical advice to a variety of counterparts, 30 points;
Proven experience in designing and delivering training on electoral procedures, 30 points;
Experience in working on elections in the Arab region, 10 points;
Fluency in spoken and written English, working knowledge of Arabic is an asset, 5 points.

And,

Financial proposal will be weighted a max of 30%.