Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. 

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2010 – 2013. The Country Programme Action Plan was approved by the Government and UNDP in 2009. UNDP Afghanistan is organized into (1) Policy and Results Management Directorate, (2) Policy and Programmes and (3) Operations. The Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit is part of the Policy and Programmes. The Policy and Programme consists of the following units: (1) Democratic Governance Unit, (2) Local Governance and Administration unit, (3) Crisis Prevention and Recovery unit, (4) Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Livelihoods unit, and (5) Natural Resources and Environment Cluster.

Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan’s economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced rule of law.  Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - including the poor – are a precursor to any sustainable development.  To this end, UNDP supports Afghan electoral institutions so that they can become more effective vehicles for development.

The UNDP/ELECT programme (2006 – present) lent technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.  This included the establishment of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices throughout Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. 

While processes were strictly Afghan-led, Afghanistan does not yet have the capacity – particularly the financial capacity – to sustain its electoral institutions, independently.  In order that progress made to date should not be “undone,” UNDP will lend financial and capacity-building support to the IEC and its provincial offices, established during the 2006 – 2010/11 project period.

Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accord with Security Council Resolution 1917 (2010).  This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UNDPKO and EAD.

Specifically, and as a means to contribute to its goal (Output 3) long-term capacity development, post-ELECT programming should:  

• Build on the achievements made, to date, in establishing an efficient, Afghan-led Independent Electoral Authority;
• Support the IEC in the transition from internationally-supported institution to self-sustaining institution; and
• Provide technical and operational capacity-building assistance, with a view to sustain and transfer knowledge to Afghan.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will be part of a team of advisors supervised and guided by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and will report on delivery to the Project Coordinator. Her/his primary task will be to assess IEC voter registration system and draw models for supporting IEC strategic planning. S/He will systematically refer to the 2011 IEC Lesson Learnt Report as source to carry out her/his assignments. S/He will be embedded with the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and will be responsible for continuously providing technical advice, help to build the technical capacity of IEC in the relevant areas of the electoral activities and will work closely with the relevant IEC staff to support the IEC in:

Assessing the current voter registration system to determine sustainability and potential future use, including:

• Assessing purposes and functions of the current system in strategic planning of the next electoral process,
• Testing and assessing the relevant database(s),
• Assessing level of data quality for future use, and
• Advising on any technical tasks to be performed to complete comprehensive assessment of the current system.

The Technical Specialist will determine short-term assignments to be carried out for full and comprehensive assessment of the current system with the approval of the IEC, including data analysis. S/He will develop long and mid-term recommendations for the IEC strategic planning in the area of voter registration.

Providing models in voter registration to enable the IEC in deciding and planning strategically in this area. The Voter registration Specialist will work and coordinate closely with the Field Operations Specialist and other relevant advisers and stakeholders to link voter registration issues with the overall strategic planning of the electoral process design.

Coordinating with the relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Interior, and of Communication and Information Technology, on civil registry programme and related issues. The Voter Registration Specialist will support the IEC to ensure that electoral components are integrated in designing the Afghan civil registry to enable effective extraction of voter registration from the civil registry in a long-term planning.

Perform any other tasks as assigned by the CTA. 

S/He will report regularly to the Chief Technical Advisor and/or Project Coordinator/Manager.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: 

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; 
• Treats all people fairy without favoritism; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi – cultural, multi – ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; good leadership skills and ability to form a team effort; 
• Ability to identify and analyze client’s needs and provide appropriate solutions to meet business requirements. 

Functional Competencies: 

Knowledge, Management and Learning: 

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; 
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning and applies newly acquired skills; 
• Ability to perform with minimal supervision and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines; 
• Ability to plan, guide tasks and undertakings in coordination with team leader. 

Development and Operational Effectiveness: 

• Demonstrates planning and organizational skills and the ability to coordinate the work of others; 
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; 
• Works to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent project/activities; 
• Ability to convey complex technical concepts and recommendations to non-technical staff at senior levels, both in oral and in written form in a clear and concise style. 

Management and Leadership: 

• Supervisory skills and ability to coach, monitor and develop staff; 
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; 
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; 
• Ability to plan and secure resources; 
• Excellent communication skills; 
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; 
• Remains calm in stressful situation; 
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts; 
• Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power Point and Word. 
• Prior experience in Afghanistan, in particular on election management programs a significant advantage; 
• Knowledge on Afghan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree or equivalent preferably in the field of Management, Political Science, International Relations, Electoral Policy, or other related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in voter registration and database management; Well experienced in electoral operations planning and design; Experienced in planning and implementing civil registry in connection with voter registration.  

Language:

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