Background

Malawi has made significant progress towards its democracy since the introduction of multiparty elections in 1994 holding successive rounds of concurrent parliamentary and presidential elections. Local elections were, however, held only in 2000 and subsequent re-elections postponed since 2005. In November 2012 a constitutional amendment was passed by Parliament to pave the way for Malawi’s fifth round of national elections to become the inaugural tripartite (Presidential, Parliamentary and Local) elections in May 2014. The decision occurs, however, following a suspension of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in 2010/2011 and the appointment of a new Board of Commissioners and Chairperson in 2012. The MEC recently made a decision to introduce an electronic data capturing system for the upcoming elections.

UNDP and other development partners are supporting the MEC in its preparations for these landmark polls in 2014, as well as ongoing institutional development throughout the 2013 to 2016 electoral cycle. Through the 2013-2016 elections project UNDP is committed to strengthening the capacity of the MEC to organize and conduct the elections, ensure broad inclusiveness and informed participation among citizens and key stakeholders in a peaceful and fair election process with emphasis on promoting the participation and engagement of women, youth and those living with disabilities and marginalized groups.

The main objectives of the project are to support the MEC to plan, conduct and supervise free and credible tripartite elections, and to develop the post-election institutional capacity of the MEC to minimize the need for external technical assistance in future elections.

 Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative, the position reports to the Senior Elections Advisor for day to day functions and works closely with MEC Secretariat and UNDP Country Office. The primary purpose of this position is to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the MEC’s Information and Communication Technology capabilities, as part of the UNDP Technical Advisors Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide expertise and advice to the MEC in conceptualization, management and coordination of the design, implementation and maintenance of ICT systems for elections, with a particular focus on reliability, availability and security aspects of elections networks.

• Analyze Malawi’s operational and IT feasibility context for the effective functionalities of IT mechanisms for upcoming elections;
• Provide technical advice and support to the MEC Secretariat on the design, planning, preparation and implementation of ICT systems;
• Advise the MEC on the technical specifications to be submitted for procurement, and support MEC on the preparation of necessary documentations for procurement procedures'
• Review network configurations and plan cost effective upgrades to keep up with changing technology, ensuring maximum efficiency;
• Advise and assist the MEC in the review and development of ICT policies and processes, as well as the development of key documentation, with a view to ensuring cost-effective and sustainable ICT infrastructure necessary to support its work, and to ensure that gender and vulnerable groups are mainstreamed as a consideration;
• Provide advice and assist in the development of ICT systems that support: voter registration, complaint management, candidate nomination and results management;
• Develop and implement methodologies, Standard Operating Procedures and tools to enable effective planning and implementation of ICT requirements, as well as business continuity systems;
• Advise and assist in the mainstreaming of gender and vulnerable groups considerations into activities.

Provide technical assistance to the development, testing, implementation and maintenance of its communication and Information technology infrastructure.

• Provide advice and assist in the design, planning, preparation and development of ICT systems and processes. Assist in the technical specification of systems and equipment necessary to support ICT for elections;
• Provide technical advice on comparative ICT systems, and make appropriate recommendations for MEC adoption where necessary, considerate of industry standard software and hardware life-cycle management best practices;
• Provide expert advice on the maintenance and inventory management of ICT equipment for MEC;
• Assist in the coordination of activities with operations, logistics, procurement, finance, transport, security, administration, civic education, training and other relevant sections;
• Regularly conduct a risk analysis and the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures in order to ensure the effective functionalities of IT systems for elections;
• Advise and assist in the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems to track performance and progress against plans
• Prepare and deliver briefings and reports, as required.

Ensure transfer and strengthening of skills and capacity of MEC counterparts through on the job training and mentoring and also through the application of appropriate targeted computer training and materials.

• Mentor senior MEC counterparts and technical staff in ICT processes, and as required, develop and deliver targeted training for MEC staff;
• Provide day-to-day mentoring and advice to senior MEC counterparts on ICT issues;
• Identify capacity building needs, recommend training needs to fill gaps, and develop and deliver targeted training seminars to MEC staff where necessary;
• Prepare reports on ICT issues, with a view to recommending future improvements and developments;
• Advise and assist in the development and tracking of key ICT documentation;
• Provide advice on best practices for the management of decentralized ICT processes.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing between MEC, UNDP and other stakeholders.

• Provide regular written reports on electoral preparedness in the areas of ITC;
• Liaise with and maintain regular contact with UNDP, Development Partners, Ministry of Finance and UNDP;
• Successes and best practices generated and communicated with MEC, UNDP, and other key stakeholders in the areas of ITC;
• Providing specialist advice on a timely basis to UNDP and the UN System on significant policy measures;
• Support the development guidelines and methodologies for the dissemination of information to key stakeholders;
• Promotion of South-South collaboration in support for exchange of information and experience with other countries.

Impact of Results

• Support to the MEC in the development of cost-effective and efficient ICT infrastructure and systems to support tripartite elections in 2014; and
• Develop the capacity and transfer knowledge to the MEC’s ICT staff to foster sustainable ICT systems and processes.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Sensitivity to local culture, customs and traditions and excellent interpersonal skills.

Functional Competencies:

Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges related to ITC for elections;
• Exhibits a good knowledge of institutional development and capacity building issues;
• Displays process, transparency and accountability in the country;
• Computer literacy.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Ability to plan, guide tasks and undertakings in coordination with team leader;
• Ability to perform with minimal supervision and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development. Has good knowledge on UNDP’s operational matters and procedures;
• Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and procedures.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to mentor and transfer skills to MEC staff;
• Ability to design, plan and implement ICT systems and processes;
• Excellent knowledge of ICT methodologies and processes;
• Excellent IT skills;
• Ability to mainstream gender in activities.
  

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Focuses on the results of the team;
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills;
• Capacity to organize and plan effectively;
• Ability to operate effectively in multi-cultural environment;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  A Master’s degree in Information Management, Computer mathematics, engineering or other related fields or equivalent work experience.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international level in ICT development and systems, preferably in developing countries and in electoral projects is preferred;
• Experience in the development and management of ICT business continuity plans and systems for elections;
• Prior experience in Africa and the SADC region is desirable.

Language:

• Fluent in English.