UNDP Jobs - 13606- Senior Referendum Advisor

Senior Referendum Advisor

Location :

Juba/Southern Sudan, SUDAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

04-Jan-2010

Application Deadline :

11-Dec-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 years

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 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that brought to an end two decades of war in Sudan stipulated that there should be a referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan. According to the CPA this referendum “shall be an internationally monitored referendum, organized jointly by the GoS and the SPLM/A, for the people of South Sudan to: confirm the unity of the Sudan by voting to adopt the system of government established under the Peace Agreement; or to vote for secession”. This referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan is expected to take place in January 2011. The Referendum Bill is expected to be passed in the forthcoming months and a Referendum Commission to organize the referendum is expected to be established.

UNDP is establishing a referendum support project to assist the Referendum Commission, once it is established, in organizing the referendum and to support key stakeholders in the referendum process such as civil society, media and the police. UNDP will work in close coordination with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and other organizations, institutions and donors providing assistance to the referendum process. Referendum assistance from the international community is expected to be robust and comprehensive in light of the importance and historic significance of the referendum.

Multiple electoral and referenda events will take place in Sudan in 2010 and 2011. Sudan is scheduled to hold six levels of elections in 2010 and the first phase of preparations for the referendum will coincide with ongoing preparations for the elections scheduled for April 2010. Another referendum, the referendum on the status of Abyei, is to be conducted by the Abyei Referendum Commission simultaneously with the referendum on Southern Sudan. These multiple events that will take place add to the already enormous challenges that will be faced in organizing the referendum for Southern Sudan.

The Senior Referendum Advisor works under the overall supervision of the UNDP Head of Office, Southern Sudan, and under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Governance/Rule of Law Unit. The Senior Referendum Advisor is expected to initiate and participate in high-level discussions with members of the government, diplomatic corps and UN organizations; provide sound and considered advice to UNDP’s senior management on policy direction in relation to referendum assistance; and to lead the programmatic preparation and delivery of UNDP’s referendum assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provision of policy advice to UNDP’s senior management on referendum matters.

Participate in high-level meetings and liaise with members of the government, diplomatic corps and UN organizations.
Provide regular briefings and written reports to senior management.

Provision of technical advice to the commissioners and senior staff of the Referendum Commission and other stakeholders.

Provide the necessary advice and assistance to support a well-organized and credible referendum process.
Ensure high levels of coordination and collaboration with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
Ensure high levels of coordination and collaboration with other international stakeholders involved in supporting the referendum processes.

Design and develop UNDP’s programme of support to the referendum, including leadership to drafting the project document.

Provide technical leadership to UNDP’s referendum support project in close collaboration with the project manager.
Supervise international and national programmatic project / technical staff.
Provide progress reports to the Steering Committee, Project Board, or other oversight mechanisms established.

Impact of Results

The Senior Referendum Advisor plays a leadership role in ensuring the success of UNDP’s assistance to the 2011 referendum. A credible and peaceful referendum process will impact positively on the stability of Southern Sudan which in turn will facilitate the delivery of UNDP’s programmes in Southern Sudan.

Competencies

Leadership :

Capacity to supervise a multidisciplinary high-level team and to supervise project activities

Technical Support :

Technical knowledge and expertise regarding electoral processes is indispensable

Planning and management :

Demonstrates a proven capacity for planning and organizing work under time-pressure

Communication :

Capable of writing clearly and concisely and excellent oral communication skills

Team work:

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in the areas of international relations/post-conflict development, political sciences, international law, economics or related discipline.

Experience:

10 years of relevant and diversified professional experience in electoral support; prior experience working on referendum processes would be highly advantageous.
Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing with a wide range of people within UNDP, Governments, donors, and UN agencies.
Knowledge of UN/UNDP operations and programmes; familiarity with UNDP programme execution rules and regulations is an asset.
Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
Able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
Applies protocol appropriately.
Excellent computer skills.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and ability to draft and edit project documents, proposals, correspondence, briefings and speeches in English.
Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.