Madagascar has experienced political instability since it gained independence from France in 1960. In March 2009, following tensions between the country’s president, Marc Ravalomanana, and an opposition movement led by Andry Rajoelina, then the mayor of the capital city, Antananarivo, streets protesters backed somehow by the army culminated in the forced resignation of Ravalomanana from office. The unconstitutional change of power and the resulting political impasse have negatively affected economic growth and development efforts and strained Madagascar’s relations with international donors.

Until the 2009 political crisis, Madagascar was largely seen as a development success in the making. Madagascar’s growth had increased over the last 15 years, following the abandonment of socialist economic policies, reaching an average annual real growth rate of 5.7% between 2003 and 2007. Poverty had declined from a high of 80% in 2002 to 65% in 2008, and was largely concentrated in the rural areas. Despite initiatives to push the development agenda and strengthen economic and public sector management, conflict of interest between political and economic circles undermined the success of the development agenda. This ultimately became obvious to development partners when the political crisis unfolded in early 2009.

On 17 September 2011, a Southern African Development Community (SADC)-mediated transitional roadmap was signed by most key political movements. The agreement is supplemented by the Framework for Implementation of the Roadmap, signed in October 2011 and which serves as a timeline for carrying out the roadmap's provisions. The goal of the roadmap is to facilitate a transitional process resulting in the establishment of a democratically elected government and an end to the political crisis engendered by the overthrow of Ravalomanana. The roadmap lays out provisions and processes for the establishment of a transitional “national union” government; an electoral framework leading to the establishment of a democratically chosen government; a range of prescriptive political confidence building measures and national reconciliation efforts aimed at facilitating a neutral, broadly participatory transitional process; and various internationally sponsored mechanisms to support implementation of the agreement. The roadmap further guarantees a process for the unconditional and safe return of all political exiles before elections, while allowing Andry Rajoelina to stay in power until democratic elections are held.

On 24 September 2011, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with President Rajoelina and did so again in May 2012. In response to a request by the transitional government of Madagascar, a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) took place in May 2012. The mission found that one of the Madagascar’s major challenges is the prevailing political situation and specifically, the differences in opinion about the time required to prepare for elections. After much debate, the Government finally agreed with the NAM’s proposed Electoral timeline which recommended that elections must take place after the cyclone season around May/June 2013.

After a long political deadlock from May to August 2013, Madagascar’s Electoral Management Body, convened a meeting where international electoral experts from the United Nations, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the African Union, the Francophone International Organization (OIF) and the European Union (EU) were invited to discuss different operational options with the aim to determining a realistic electoral calendar based on the NAM’s suggested electoral timeline. The following revised electoral calendar was agreed upon:

• First round of presidential election: 25 October 2013;
• Second round of presidential elections, combined with legislative elections: 20 December 2013

The inauguration of the President-elect on 25 January 2014 officially put an end to the Transition phase. Final results for the legislative elections are expected to be released on February 7, 2014. Subsequently, a new Parliament will replace the Transitional Parliament while a new Government will be appointed. Madagascar will then fully return to constitutional normalcy and legality.

United Nations and development partners’ electoral assistance will still be required throughout 2014, especially because the municipal elections, initially scheduled for 2013, were postponed and are due for 2014, at a date still to be determined by the electoral management body in close collaboration with the UN.

The UNDP-managed PACEM (“Projet d’Appui au Cycle Electoral 2012-2014 à Madagascar”) ensures day-to-day management of project activities, in support of the electoral management body. The project has set a Project Management Unit (PMU), under the direction of a Chief Technical Advisor, with experts in different fields and supporting staff. As may be required, the team will be supplemented by short-term consultants in relevant disciplines. Given its sensitive political nature, the UNDP country office follows up closely on project activities and provides guidance in anticipating and dealing with potentially controversial issues.

With a view to assisting with the implementation of training and other capacity building activities for members of the Electoral management body (CENI-T) and other electoral stakeholders, the project is recruiting a training officer.

Working in partnership with the CENI-T, under the direct supervision of the Project’s Chief technical advisor, the training officer is expected to:

• Advise and assist with the preparation and implementation of the necessary training plans and documentation in support of the electoral process;
• Assist with the design and elaboration of training materials (manuals, guides, etc.);
• Assist with the elaboration of a comprehensive training plan of action and the production of other capacity building documentation;
• Overview and facilitate training sessions for CENI-T staff members and other electoral stakeholders;
• Coordinate the preparations and the implementation of assessment activities;
• Assist with the development of specific provisions for monitoring and evaluation of training activities throughout the country;
• Coordinate the set-up of the procedures and other mechanisms for providing overall logistic and administrative support to training sessions;
• Provide advice on training methodologies and propose innovative approach in the training area;
• Evaluate regularly the operational, logistic and security situation and advice on any identified risks that may affect the implementation of training and other capacity building activities;
• Coordinate with the relevant national and international parties on electoral training issues;
• Coordinate, on training and capacity building issues, with the 21 international logistics and electoral operation specialists deployed in the regions;
• Advise, monitor and report to the Chief Technical Advisor on relevant policies and procedures adopted by the CENI-T and their implementation at the field level;
• Perform any other related assignment as requested by the Chief Technical Advisor.

Expected results and outputs:

• Technical, logistic and operational planning of training issues completed;
• Comprehensive training plan of action designed and other capacity building documentation produced;
• Training sessions effectively and efficiently implemented, in close coordination with the relevant CENI-T counterparts.

Impact of results:

• The electoral operations are properly conducted as a result of the adequate training received by the Electoral Management Body’s staff members and, subsequently, the number of claims related to alleged irregularities are minimized;
• The results of electoral operations are widely accepted and a post-electoral peaceful environment is maintained.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and adherence to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a team and good communications skills.

Functional Competencies:

Technical/ Functional Skills

• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, ensure results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, as well as mobilize resources;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Leadership and Management

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Works effectively under pressure, manage stress well and adapts to evolving situations is highly recommended.

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, law, pedagogy, social sciences or equivalent;
• A high qualified experience in the training field, without the required education level, could be considered if the experience is relevant for the post.

Experience:

• Five years of relevant experience in training, part of it in electoral training;
• Experience with the management of other electoral operations (public outreach, logistics; etc.);
• Experience with an EMB and/or electoral support mission;
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills;
• Previous work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa an advantage.

Required languages:

• Fluency in French is required;
• Knowledge of English of other UN languages is an asset.

Other:

• Willingness to travel frequently within Madagascar and work extensive hours.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.