Background

In 2015, Myanmar will hold its first general election since 1990, and its first election since 2010. The people of Myanmar have high hopes and expectations of these elections. They are a part of the ongoing reform process initiated four and a half years ago which has had a significant impact on a large proportion of Myanmar’s people. A recent poll carried out by the Asia Foundation (2014) shows that a majority expect these elections to be freer, fairer and organised in a way that reflects the new political environment. Together, the high expectations for reform, high expectations for free and fair elections, and high expectations for an elections result that contributes to change, indicate how important the 2015 elections will be to Myanmar’s future.

The people have not had a chance to vote in many elections, and may not be aware of how the elections process works, and what their rights and responsibilities are. So, too, the people and institutions responsible for organizing them and being involved in other ways have not had significant experience. Preparations for the elections are being led by the Union Election Commission (UEC) with support from a number of international organizations including the International Federation of Election Systems. The establishment of vibrant multi-party politics and increasing political party representation are positive for the country, but it also means that political parties and their candidates, may be less aware of their role and expectations throughout the election process. As the 2015 general elections approach, there is a need to educate the population as a whole, political parties, and other government stakeholders, on political and electoral processes and best practices, to make sure that all those involved are aware of the rules and regulations, and how they can be interpreted. Many organisations (both national and international) are supporting this effort already amongst the voting population. By ensuring that people are aware of their own roles and responsibilities and the established processes for the elections, it is possible to lessen the chance of significant disputes of election results, and increase the credibility of the elections.

As Myanmar prepares for the elections, many challenges will be encountered. Balancing an open and inclusive election with safety will be particularly challenging in Myanmar’s diverse context. For free and fair elections, it is important to ensure two things. Firstly, that many people as possible are able to cast a vote in areas of the country where there is, or has recently been, fighting or insecurity, and secondly there is need to ensure an environment where voters feel comfortable and safe to cast their vote in the election. For this, is crucial that all stakeholders in the electoral process understand their respective roles and responsibilities for security and are able to communicate effectively with each other.

In December 2013 the Chairman of the Union Election Commission of Myanmar officially requested the United Nations to support the electoral process in Myanmar.  In response to this UNDP is setting up a project which will address the needs identified in Myanmar in ensuring credible elections. The Electoral Support project aims to contribute to creating a peaceful and tranquil environment for the 2015 through 3 objectives:

• Output 1: Improved ability of election stakeholders to liaise and communicate effectively to contribute to peaceful and tranquil elections;
• Output 2: Increased understanding of the roles and responsibilities of electoral stakeholders to contribute to peaceful and tranquil elections;
• Output 3: Increased integrity and credibility of elections amongst voters.

While this project will first focus on the forthcoming 2015 general elections, it may also be a first step towards a wider electoral assistance project for the 2020 general elections. The project will work with the UEC, General Administration Department, Myanmar Police Force, Civil Society Organisations and networks, and political parties.

UNDP is seeking a Project Associate who will support the implementation of all Outputs under the guidance of an international Chief Technical Advisor, and two National Officers who lead implementation of Outputs 1 and 2. The Project Associate will provide administrative and logistical support. They will also work occasionally with UNDP’s wider team focusing on Democratic Governance.

This work will contribute to UNDP’s overall Country Programme for Myanmar, which advances local governance and social cohesion, environmental sustainability and economic development, and democratic governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

• Support to formulation of project strategies and implementation of the Electoral Support Project;
• Support to management of the Electoral Support Project;
• Administrative support to the Electoral Support Project;
• Support to resource mobilization;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Provides effective support to management of the Project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provision of guidance to the executing agencies/implementing partners on routine implementation of the Project;
• Presentation of information for audit of projects; support implementation of audit recommendations;
• Collection, analysis and presentation of background information;
• Supports in drafting project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangement.

Provides administrative and coordination support to the Project team focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Administrative support to missions, consultancies, workshops/meetings concerning the Project team;
• Support the International/National Specialists and consultants to ensure effective coordination with stakeholders;
• Coordinate with counterpart departments and CO’s Administrative Unit for securing visas and travel clearances for missions;
• Coordinate and work together with CO’s Communication Unit for contribution agreements, donor reports, etc; obtain necessary information to facilitate the timely securing of visas and travel clearances for donor mission members;
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas;
• Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.

Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Track and report on mobilized resources and co-funding;
• Ensure funds are utilized in accordance with the contribution agreements;
• Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of trainings for the project’s staff;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in project;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the Project team and success in implementation of project strategies. Accurate analysis, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper project implementation.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Support the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences Results-Based Programme Development and Management.

Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects implementation;
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives;
• Maintains databases of donor information;
• Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Implementing processes and uses products

• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches;
• Responds positively to new approaches.

Resource Mobilization

• Providing information for resource mobilization strategies
• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors;
• Maintains database of project files;
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Research and analysis

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences.

Client Orientation

Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Responds to client needs promptly.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance;
• University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Myanmar and English is essential.