UNDP Jobs - 50416- Management Specialist, NIEC (National Independent

Management Specialist, NIEC (National Independent Electoral Commission)

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year

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 Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, adopted in August 2012, provides for the conduct of elections by September 2016. A new constitution is further expected to be adopted through a referendum scheduled to be held in 2015. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) mandated with the conduct of presidential elections, federal parliamentary elections, voter registration and update of the voter’s roll, candidate registration, delimitation of constituencies and wards, regulation of political party system, regulation of money spent by elected candidates or parties in respect of any elections, settlement of electoral disputes, facilitation of observation and evaluation of elections, development of an electoral code of conduct for candidates and parties and voter education . It remains unclear, however, if the NIEC will be the body responsible for the conduct of referendum.

Establishment of the NIEC, elaboration of an electoral legal framework, setting up of an independent and functional NIEC and conduct of Constitutional referendum and elections are key priorities outlined in the New Deal Compact, Vision 2016 Conference recommendations and the agenda of the House of the People.

Within this context, the United Nations will provide electoral assistance on an integrated and phased manner. At the inception phase of the electoral assistance to be provided, the United Nations and other international partners will have to engage in supporting the national authorities on the development of the NIEC law. At a later stage, once the institution is in place, technical assistance will have to be provided to the NIEC in order to support building the institution. Finally, support will also be needed in the planning and preparation of the forthcoming electoral events. This assistance will have to include technical advice for core and complementary activities including operational support in procuring goods and services.

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Complementary support, the Election Management Specialist will support the team of experts that works collectively to achieve the project results. S/he will contribute to the development of project planning and implementation and ensure compliance with UNDP procedures, rules and regulations. S/he will provide overall support and assistance to the UNDP Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Complementary support.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support organization and management of the project;
Support implementation for delivery of results;
Advocacy, networking and coordination;
Support the provision of technical advice and recommendations.

Specific functions:

Plan, and support the coordination and effective implementation of all project’s activities;
Liaise with the UNDP Country Office Operations unit for the effective financial monitoring and implementation of the project;
Support the Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Complementary support in the organization of information sessions, discussion workshops and seminars for election stakeholders;
Support the Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Complementary support in the preparation of non-papers, discussion papers, background notes, etc.;
Support the coordination of the work of consultant experts;
Support the preparation of narrative and financial updates and reports to be submitted to the UNDP management and project donors;
Work with the UNDP Gender Specialist, support the mainstreaming of gender equality concerns in plans, strategies and materials developed, and technical advice provided, by UNDP technical staff to the Somali authorities;
Liaise with the other UNDP governance projects to ensure coordination of efforts;
Support the UNDP Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Complementary support in coordinating and facilitating information sharing on electoral support to the national authorities with development partners and non-state actors;
Contribute to the mobilization of funds with partners for additional resources to the electoral process;
Perform other relevant duties as required by the UNDP Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Complementary support.

Impact of Results

The key results are expected to have an impact on the elections process in Somalia as well as the UNDP support toward that purpose. In particular, the results have an impact on the delivery of:

Support to the creation of an Independent Election Commission in the Federal Republic of Somalia;
Sound advice given to the national authorities on other electoral related matter specified in the PIP if required;
Coordination of stakeholders’ effective support – participation to the electoral cycle;
UNDP’s credibility as an execution agency of the UN system.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

Advocates for the inclusion of UNDP’s focus areas in the public policy agenda;
Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues;
Builds consensus concerning UNDP’s strategic agenda with partners on joint initiatives;
Leverages UNDP’s multidisciplinary expertise to influence the shape of policies and programmes;
Demonstrates political/cultural acumen in proposing technically sound, fact based approaches/solutions;
Develops internal organizational policies promoting strategic approaches to UNDP’s focus areas (HQ);
Dialogues with national counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives;
Demonstrates cultural sensitivity, political savvy and intellectual capacity in handling disagreements with UNDP’s policy agenda in order to promote and position UNDP in complex environments.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach;
Sets performance standards, monitors progress and intervenes at an early stage to ensure results are in accordance with agreed-upon quality and timeframes and reports on it;
Makes use of a variety of resources within UNDP to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams, secondments and developmental assignments, and collaborative funding approaches;
Oversees and documents the process of strategy formulation for programmes at country level;
Ensures the integration of UNDP’s strategic concern in interagency, other multilateral initiatives and multi-sectoral development frameworks such as PRSPs, and SWAPs;
Ensures the full implementation of country programme and Financial Resources to obtain results.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Identifies and prioritizes opportunities and obstacles in the political scene (government, civil society, parliamentarians, pressure groups) to advance UNDP’s agenda; identifies common interests and goals and carries out joint initiatives with partners;
Makes effective use of UNDP’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships;
Builds partnerships with non-traditional sectors by translating UNDP’s agenda into messages that reflect the pertinence of their values and interests;
Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations;
Leverages the resources of governments and other development partners.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

Influences and coaches others inside and outside UNDP in developing and implementing innovative approaches;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation and to mobilizing and using resources;
Leverages resources in support of new approaches;
Facilitates change and influences senior decision makers to implement change strategies.

Resource Mobilization:

Contributes to the development of resource mobilization strategies at regional (sub-regional) level (RSC, HQ);
Actively develops partnerships with potential donors and government counterparts in all sectors at country level;
Shares information with country offices concerning opportunities to tap potential donors;
Strengthens the capacity of the country office to mobilize resources.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures;
Applies knowledge to support the unit/branch’s objectives and to further the mandate of UNDP;
Applies a broad knowledge of best management practices; defines objectives and work flows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain optimum effectiveness for the unit/branch;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Demonstrates expert knowledge of the current programme guidelines and project management tools and manages the use of these regularly in work assignments.

Client Orientation:

Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
Consults with clients and ensures their needs are represented in decision-making processes;
Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP programmes and operations.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in International Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, Communication, Social Studies, Conflict Resolution or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of experience providing technical electoral assistance, or other relevant experience;
Familiarity with UNDP procedures, regulations and rules;
Training skills and experience in organization of trainings is an asset;
Have previously worked in the framework of multi-donor projects;
Extensive understanding of and ability to advise on electoral processes;
Ability to produce reports and high level political analysis is an asset;
Capacity to dialogue with electoral and high leveled political and administrative officers as well as donors from the international community is desirable;
Experience of working in Somalia is an asset;
Advanced skills in the usage of computer software packages and web based management systems.

Language:

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