UNDP Jobs - 57126- Technical Advisor (Election Operations)

Technical Advisor (Election Operations)

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year with possibility of extension

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

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, and governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels.

The overall objective of UNDP’s electoral assistance is to support the national electoral institutions the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) to plan and conduct credible elections and to better ensure the integrity of the process. The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow project - phase II (2012 – 2015), or ELECT II, provides technical and operational assistance to the Afghan electoral bodies and enhance their capacity to prepare and conduct the electoral processes. ELECT II has provided support for the two rounds of the Presidential Election in 2014, the Provincial Council elections in 2014 and the conduct of 100% of Vote Audit exercise.

In 2015, donor partners envisaged a change in paradigm and scope of international assistance to Afghanistan’s electoral management bodies,

In this respect, UNDP is currently revising its electoral support project. While the ELECT II project has already been downsized significantly and eventually will be terminated, a new project with revised scope and objectives needs to be developed in light of sustainability of Afghanistan’s electoral management bodies, and including recommendations related to electoral reform in anticipation of the next electoral rounds.

Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2015 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2210 (2015).This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD)

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, the Senior Technical Advisor of Election Operations Unit is responsible for the planning and coordination activities carried out by ELECT II in support of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC). The Senior Technical Advisor advises the IEC on the preparation and conduct of electoral operations such as voter registration and polling. S/he oversees all planning and operational activities as it relates to the role of the ELECT project in the upcoming elections, from design through implementation, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Assist the IEC on the development and implementation of voter registration and electoral operational plans consistent with the UN mandate and International principles and best practices including:

Advises IEC in voter registration and post-election activities and coordinates ELECT support to the planning process for the Voter registration operation and elections by advising on the design of planning systems and processes in a way that maximizes capacity building for the IEC and enables the IEC to increasingly take the lead in the planning process;
Works closely with the IEC Chief of Operations to build his capacity, increase his electoral knowledge with regard to planning, systems and implementation and allow the Chief to take the lead in planning for future elections;
Advises on the development of the election budget process through the identification of systems, resource requirements and costing;
Advises on the feasibility of information and communication technology solutions for electoral operations;
Advises the IEC on the provision of electoral operational inputs required for the development of an appropriate security plan in consultation with the necessary parties to ensure the smooth operations of voter registration and election procedures;
Advises and assists the IEC with the development of contingency plans to ensure the election process remains on track.

Oversight, monitoring and reporting of operational activities:

Supports the IEC in monitoring voter registration and electoral activities, especially during peak times leading up to and immediately after events such as voter registration and election day activities of all electoral and advisory staff, and advises the IEC electoral operations counterpart on implementation progress;
Review field reports of political developments, program activities, and measure program results and determine, in conjunction with the IEC counterpart, actions to be taken;
Advises, monitors and reports to the CTA and other counterparts on election operations, policies and procedures adopted by the national electoral management body and their implementation by local election administrations;
Liaises and advocates as necessary with UN Agencies, government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations;
Maintains a system of continuous evaluation of electoral operational activities;
Advise the IEC on operational issues affecting delivery and overall operations;
Identifies new approaches and modalities that are adaptable in order to achieve established targets.

Supervision and overall responsibility for the activities and staff of the Election Operations Unit:

Ensures that staff apply the appropriate methods in all their activities to facilitate the building of capacity of local counterparts;
Provides overall strategic direction to operations technical advisors and direction of long term planning and day to day activities;
Supervises the Logistics, Field coordination, IT, security and other required functions; Establishes relative management scorecard targets, work plans and monitors achievement of results;
Coordinates with other organizations providing technical assistance to the IEC and provides overall management to the International technical assistance to the IEC.

Initiation of planning for voter registration and Election:

Develops planning processes for the voter registration and election which build on lessons learned from the previous planning processes and increasingly facilitates the IEC taking the lead in the process;
Coordinates the definition of the concept of operations, timeline and budget for the voter registration and subsequent elections.

Coordination of the design, set up and management of the facilities required in the field for the voter registration and elections processes:

Assists the IEC to design its field structure and coordinates support in the set up and management of its facilities throughout Afghanistan;
Assists the IEC in the design of its HQ including all facilities, National Tally center, operations center, storage facilities, Data Management center and media center.

Coordination with ELECT PMU for the provision of administrative support in order to support the voter registration and election and provide the necessary resources, equipment and electoral materials.

Assist the Chief Technical Advisor in the overall management of UNDP ELECT II assistance for capacity building of the IEC and other related responsibilities.

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the Senior Technical Advisor – Operations (ELECT) impacts on the standing and reputation of UNDP in the country. S/he is responsible for daily contact with national counterparts in the Independent Elections Commission and monitoring of the voter registration and elections programme. The key results expected are (1) capacity building of the IEC and (2) supporting the IEC to organize the voter registration and subsequent elections. It is also expected that sound coordination is done with the donors, government and other stakeholders.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision mission, and strategic goals of ELECT;
Displays cultural , gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge, Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In – depth practical knowledge of interdisciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP Programme.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Experience in managing large-scale post conflict electoral programs;
Experience in advising national electoral authorities and donors on electoral frameworks and systems and elections planning and operations;
Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes , results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Ability to apply development theory to be specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Management Leadership:

Builds strong relationship 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 openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control, and good humored even under pressure;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational, and communication skills;
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;
Sound time management and organized skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
Proven management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle;
Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power point and Word.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development, Political Sciences, Management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of experience in electoral administration supporting conduct of elections and voter registration exercise in challenging environments;
Experience in advising and/or planning , organizing and supervising in at least 4 state elections;
Prior experience in Afghanistan, in particular on previous election management programs a significant advantage.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of Dari/Pashto an asset.

Other requirements:

Flexibility and willingness to live and work in hazardous conditions involving physical and little comfort.

Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcement and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted;
For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af ;
Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment;
Internal candidates who have served a minimum of 12 month in the current assignment are invited to apply;
Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.