UNDP Jobs - 50190- Chief Technical Advisor

Chief Technical Advisor

Location :

Kinshasa, CONGO, DEM. REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

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

The process of political stabilization in the DRC begun in 2001 with the Lusaka agreement, which theoretically put an end to any foreign military intervention in the DRC, was solidified in 2005 and 2006 with elections held that allowed for the implementation of real democratic institutions. These elections enabled the DRC to come out of the transition period, a post-conflict political phase characterized by a system of shared power.

Following the implementation of elected institutions, the UNDP established a new step of electoral assistance through the PACE project, whose initial mission was to support the 2007-2011 electoral cycle in organizing local, presidential and legislative elections.

During this period, the project was therefore the main tool for international electoral assistance. Its goal was to establish a credible and lasting electoral system and to support the holding of the November 28, 2011 legislative and presidential elections, which was the tangible achievement Project PACE2.

Following these elections, however, some political parties, political actors and Civil Society organizations had to object to the organization and election results, thus creating certain controversy, which was reinforced by the reports of national and international observation missions and the ensuing recommendations.

Examination CENI’s annual report during plenary session in July 2012 at the National Assembly also led to recommendations. These included suspension of the timeline that resulted in a review of the law on organization and functioning of the CENI and the restructuring of its office on June 27, 2013. The recommendations made the terms of supporting Project PACE2 while formally maintaining suspension of support for CENI difficult. Noting the length of the organic law’s review process, the technical and financial partners decided to end the project early on March 31, 2013.

Following the request by the Congolese government addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations for support in organizing local, provincial and general elections, a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) of the UNDP and UN Secretary General’s Department of Political Affairs’ Electoral Assistance Division was held from September 24 to October 04, 2013. Recommendations were issued regarding the UNDP’s and MONUSCO’s future role in supporting the DRC’s electoral process. In particular, the NAM recommended that the UNDP implement a new project in support of the electoral process in the Congo (PACEC).

In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2098 of March 28, 2013, article 18 specifies that MONUSCO, in coordination with the United Nations Country Team shall transfer as soon as possible the technical support for elections to the United Nations System agencies. The UNDP Country Office has defined a new vision of electoral assistance to be provided to CENI in partnership with the different funders. This vision falls within the new UNDP 2013-2017 programme based particularly on the technical issues, substituting the assistance initially provided in order to compensate for the prior lack of electoral expertise of the national component. Great emphasis will have to be placed on the quality and relevance of the expertise to be made available and much less on its quantity, especially at the central level, where national expertise is currently available through the various capacity building actions conducted by the UNDP and its partners.

Therefore, in regard to the issues in future elections, the UNDP in the DRC, in collaboration with CENI, is hiring a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) to advice and support the Independent National Electoral Commission during implementation of the new project in support for the electoral cycle in the Congo (PACEC). The goal in this recruitment is to build CENI’s capacities in the area of improving dialogue with stakeholders in the electoral process so that it can conduct elections in a transparent, free and democratic manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director/Programme and direct supervision of the Governance Unit Team Leader and the Program Specialist of Administrative and Political component, the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will be responsible for implementing and administering the Electoral support. He/She will work in close consultation with the UNDP’s Program Specialist of Administrative and Political component, the NIEC and with other stakeholders in order to promote the most credible and transparent electoral process possible. It is understood that instructions will only be taken from the United Nations.

Coordination : The CTA will be responsible for the implementation of activities as well as the supervision of the following:

Set up of the Team Management Unit for the electoral process;
Ensure with effectiveness the administrative and technical management of the Technical Team;
Supervise and coordinate the actions and activities of the Electoral management Unit comprised of high levelled Experts and personnel support;
Advise the INEC on the planning, coordination, organization and implementation of the electoral process;
Advise the National counterpart on electoral operations (electoral census, operational planning, voting procedures, counting of results and compilation, electoral dispute);
Provide in depth analysis and technical advices to high level stakeholders (national and international partners, CSO and UN bodies);
Provide strong and accurate analysis on the political challenges and risks including potential scenarios which could affect the electoral process;
Ensure effective cooperation and coordination of the project with the CENI and the Electoral Unit within the MONUSCO Political Affairs Organize and provide to the Steering;
Committee any relevant information on the implementation of the electoral project including advices on the strategic planning, decision making processes and the management of the basket fund.

Electoral Support:

Provide technical advice to High levelled actors/or mediators (Ministers, CENI, political parties, media and Organizations of the Civil society) on the electoral review process;
Provide electoral and technical advisory support to UNDP staff: RR, CD, DCD, programme officers involved in Governance Programme within UNDP Country Office;
Plan periodic evaluation missions and making sure to provide necessary assistance and support to the missions;
Provide technical support to the different consultations/activities relevant to the field of competency ;
Ensure in all circumstances that the Project does not compromise the credibility of the UN System, the country’s interests and partners implicated in the process;
Provide all sensitive and targeted counselling to the process;
Liaise and foster strategic cooperation with other partners to reinforce the dialogue between the stakeholders of the process.

Reporting :

Elaborate and submit periodic reports on the progress of the Project to the UNDP and his Partners;
In collaboration with UNPD office, plan and coordinate meetings with partners to submit reports or documents in liaison with the electoral process.

Fundraising/Resource mobilization:

Contribute to the mobilization of funds with partners for additional resources to the electoral process;
Establishment of the ways of collaboration with potential partners (all stakeholders including donors, etc.), resource mobilization system and appropriate operational partnership;
Provide strong fundraising arguments to donors/ or stakeholders;
Perform other relevant duties as required by the Resident Representative or Country Director of UNDP.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the Project management efficiency and success of the whole Electoral Cycle. In particular, the key results have an impact on the delivery of:

UNDP’s credibility as execution agency of the UN system;
Host country’s effort to meet the MDGs;
Coordination of stakeholders’ effective support – participation to the electoral cycle;
Effective support of UNDP electoral assistance to NIEC.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity.

Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals and delivers tasks on time;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis and reporting.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly.

Innovation & Judgment:

Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situation;
Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource;
Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn;
Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment;
Ability to produce reports and high levelled political analysis.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, (PhD would be desirable) Management, Administration, Law or related fields.

Experience:

At least ten years of professional experience in the field of elections, participation in electoral operations or projects; formulation of technical advice for stakeholders in the electoral process, particularly for electoral management organizations , and the TFP, etc. ;
Experience in Projects management with the United Nations System at the international level;
Good knowledge of the political environment, administration of developing countries particularly countries of the west African region;
Good knowledge on the organization of elections in Africa;
Good knowledge on the management of the electoral processes;
Capacity to dialogue with electoral and high levelled political and Administrative Officers as well as donors from the international community;
Have previously worked as CTA in the framework multi donor projects;
Fair understanding of electoral engineering, in particular of the state of electoral and wider governance reform in Congo would be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in French mandatory;
Fluency in English, an asset.