UNDP Jobs - 56798- Expert on National Registration Systems

Expert on National Registration Systems

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

10-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

240 Days

Languages Required :

English

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting Malawi’s electoral process through the Malawi Electoral Cycle Support Project 2013-2016. In its 2013-2017 Strategic Plan the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) identified its voter registration system as an area of improvement for the election process. In the post-election environment the reform of the voter registration system is a high priority.

In 2014, UNDP fielded a Malawi Voter Registration Feasibility Assessment Mission to assess the feasibility of introducing a Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system taking into account its inter-operability, rationalization and cooperation between other population databases to prevent duplication and wastage of human and financial resources. The Mission was tasked to provide a high-level roadmap, and propose viable options and recommendations for the introduction of a sustainable BVR system. The Assessment Mission presented a road map for future rollout of National Registration for Malawi whereby the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and MEC will implement the mass registration phase of a National Registration and Identification System (NRIS).

Practical advancement on the NRIS front will require establishment of a platform where NRB and MEC collaboratively develop a robust longer-term operational plan, which is essential for the NRIS vision to become a reality. UNDP is supporting this endeavor with preparatory international technical assistance to develop a detailed operational plan, budget, ICT infrastructure assessment and risk management plan to contribute towards a longer term project of assistance.

Under the project Preparatory Assistance for National Registration and Identification system, UNDP is seeking the services of an expert in National Registration with broad knowledge in national ID and voter registration. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Electoral Advisor (SEA) of the Malawi Electoral Cycle Support Project, the expert will provide technical assistance to develop the preliminary stages of the NRIS rollout.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Senior Electoral Advisor (SEA) the expert will provide technical assistance to the NRB and MEC. The expert will provide technical assistance focusing on achievement of the following results:

Function: The expert will be a resource for the provision of international technical assistance to inform the NRB and MEC as well as key stakeholders on the NRIS process;

Responsibility: The expert will be positioned at the NRB offices to provide continuous technical assistance on NRIS and will participate in joint-planning meetings and stakeholder consultations.
Deliverables: Summary of meetings, briefing materials and analysis. International technical assistance and guidance to interlocutors and stakeholders. Development and delivery of presentations. Issue specific papers as directed by the SEA.

Function: The expert will be a principal drafter and contributor to several key documents for the formulation of the NRIS approach, including operational plans, budgets, risk plans and ICT analysis;

Responsibility: In close consultation with MEC and NRB as well as other key actors, draft and/or contribute to key documentation.
Deliverables: Detailed NRIS operational plan; assessment of ICT assets and systems (server-side and field-collection), and additional requirements to support NRIS; analysis and recommendations for the interoperability of the proposed NRIS system with other databases and systems; NRIS risk management plan; estimate budget for NRIS roll-out and projected annualized costs; contribution to capacity building plans.

Function: The expert will be required to draft and submit regular technical progress reports as well as a final report.

Responsibility: submit administrative reports that allow for monitoring of work progress as well as administrative requirements of the project;
Deliverables: submit monthly progress reports and a final report.

Function: The expert will be engaged in various technical and stakeholder meetings to support deliberations and assist negotiations on issues pertaining to the NRIS and the development of a full Project Document.

Responsibility: assist in negotiations and formulation of partnering arrangements between national and international actors.
Deliverables: under the direction of the SEA participate in key meetings; contribute to formulation of a MoU between the MEC and NRB; contribute to the development of a full Project Document.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies:

Leadership:

Capacity to work within a multicultural and multidisciplinary team and to take leadership responsibilities as required;
he post requires considerable cultural and political sensitivity and an ability to meet deadlines.

Technical Support:

The suitable candidate for this consultancy will have extensive theoretical and professional experience in the design and implementation of national and voter registration operations;
An in-depth knowledge of information and communication technology systems and software, as well as database related systems. Knowledge of Electoral Operations is an advantage though not a prerequisite.

Planning and Management:

The expert needs to demonstrate a proven record in coordinating and working with national interlocutors, facilitating the work of national institutions and task forces.

Communication:

The expert must have excellent English oral and written communication skills;
The expert must be able to develop and deliver briefings and presentations for a range of audiences, and be able to convey complex technical issues to non-technical audiences.

Teamwork:

Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in a multi-cultural environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least an advanced degree (Masters) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience of at least seven years in the arena with a Bachelor’s Degree in the above disciplines.

Experience:

10 years or more of demonstrable professional experience in the field of national registration and/or voter registration systems.
Experience in one or more of the following: national registration, biometrics and identity systems.
Experience in delivering technical assistance or implementing national registration or voter registration systems, preferably in developing countries;
Experience in developing and mapping risk management strategies and approaches, as well as budget preparation is essential. Experience in dealing with international development partners is desirable.
Specific technical skills must include one or more software engineering disciplines (programming, systems analysis, requirement specification, system testing or quality assurance) and demonstrable experience with medium to large database systems.

Language:

Fluency in English language.

The Expert on National Registration Systems must satisfy the above qualifications.

Application:

For more details please see TORs and Procurement Notice on the link below:

http://www.mw.undp.org/content/malawi/en/home/operations/procurement/ or send an email to

procurement.mw@undp.org and clearly quote the title of the assignment.