UNDP Jobs - 55945- National Officer (Civic Education for Elections) M

National Officer (Civic Education for Elections) Myanmar National Only

Location :

Yangon, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

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

In 2015, Myanmar will hold its first general election since 1990, and its first election since 2010. The people of Myanmar have high hopes and expectations of these elections. They are a part of the ongoing reform process initiated four and a half years ago which has had a significant impact on a large proportion of Myanmar’s people, be it through improved economic livelihoods, greater access to information or greater political freedoms. Although people’s expectations differ, especially depending on their locations and political preferences, a recent poll carried out by the Asia Foundation (2014) shows that a majority expect these elections to be freer, fairer and organised in a way that reflects the new political environment. The same poll shows that the majority of people strongly believe that voting can lead to positive change, and that elections outcomes can have a definite impact on people’s lives. Together, the high expectations for reform, high expectations for free and fair elections, and high expectations for an elections result that contributes to change, indicate how important the 2015 elections will be to Myanmar’s future.

The people have not had a chance to vote in many elections, and may not be aware of how the elections process works, and what their rights and responsibilities are. So, too, the people and institutions responsible for organizing them and being involved in other ways have not had significant experience. Preparations for the elections are being led by the Union Election Commission (UEC) with support from a number of international organizations including the International Federation of Election Systems. The Union Election Commission, which is responsible for the elections, was established in March 2010, ahead of the 2010 bi-elections, and so has had experience with one electoral process. There is also an increasingly active Parliament and lively multi-party politics that has generated new dynamics in political dialogue and interactions between the state and the people- new political parties have been registered, and many more are planning to put candidates forward for the 2015 elections (70 in February). Whilst these developments are positive for the country, it also means that political parties and their candidates may be less aware of their role and expectations throughout the election process.

As the 2015 general elections will see the political context becoming more contested, there is an increased need to educate, the population as a whole, political parties, and other government stakeholders, on political and electoral processes and best practices, to make sure that all those involved are aware of the rules and regulations, and how they can be interpreted. Many organisations (both national and international) are supporting this effort already amongst the voting population. By ensuring that people are aware of their own roles and responsibilities and the established processes for the elections, it is possible to lessen the chance of significant disputes of election results, and increase the credibility of the elections.

As Myanmar prepares for the elections, many challenges will be encountered, especially given their scale, complexity, high visibility and involvement of a multitude of national and international actors. Balancing an open and inclusive election with safety will be particularly challenging in Myanmar’s diverse context, and finding this balance largely rests with the UEC, the General Administration Department and Myanmar Police Force, among others. For free and fair elections, it is important to ensure two things. Firstly, that many people as possible are able to cast a vote in areas of the country where there is, or has recently been, fighting or insecurity, and secondly there is need to ensure an environment where voters feel comfortable and safe to cast their vote in the election. To create and maintain such an environment, it is crucial that all stakeholders in the electoral process understand their respective roles and responsibilities and are able to communicate effectively with each other. Effective communication, collaboration, liaison and planning between the UEC, GAD, Myanmar Police Force and other relevant actors will be essential to ensuring the tranquility of 2015 elections.

In December 2013 the Chairman of the Union Election Commission of Myanmar officially requested the United Nations to support the electoral process in Myanmar. In response to this UNDP is setting up a project which will address the needs identified in Myanmar in ensuring credible elections.

The Electoral Support project aims to contribute to creating a peaceful and tranquil environment for the 2015 through 3 objectives:

Output 1: Improved ability of election stakeholders to liaise and communicate effectively to contribute to peaceful and tranquil elections;
Output 2: Increased understanding of the roles and responsibilities of electoral stakeholders to contribute to peaceful and tranquil elections;
Output 3: Increased integrity and credibility of elections amongst voters.

While this project will first focus on the forthcoming 2015 general elections, it may also be a first step towards a wider electoral assistance project for the 2020 general elections. The project will work with the UEC, GAD, Myanmar Police Force, Civil Society Organisations and networks, and political parties.

UNDP is seeking a National Officer (Civic Education for Elections), who will lead the implementation of Output 2 under the guidance of an international Chief Technical Advisor. They will work primarily with the Chief Technical Advisor and be supported by an administrative staff member shared with other Outputs. They will also work occasionally with UNDP’s wider team focusing on Democratic Governance.

This work will contribute to UNDP’s overall Country Programme for Myanmar, which advances local governance and social cohesion, environmental sustainability and economic development, and democratic governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) – Elections, the National Officer will:

Development and Planning of Output 2 of the Electoral Support Project:

Preparation of strategic background papers, briefing notes and concept notes to inform a comprehensive, long-term approach to strengthening understanding of election processes and procedures among stakeholders;
Contributes to the design, of the Electoral Support Project;
Development of activity plans and budgets for implementation of Output 2;
Lead planning and organisation of activities such as meetings, seminars, workshops, towards implementation of annual work plans;
Conducts monitoring of project activities and results;
Supports assessing the impact and effectiveness of UNDP’s Electoral Support activities.

Finance and Operations Management of Output 2 of the Electoral Support Project:

Manages budgets and expenditure for Output 2, in line with Annual Workplans;
Oversee and provide quality control of financial reports;
Plan and carry out procurements for Output 2 in line with the Annual Workplans, in line with UNDP processes and rules and regulations.

Implementation of Output 2 through capacity building activities for elections stakeholders:

Supports in provision of specific technical expertise to strengthen understanding of election processes and procedures among stakeholders;
Leads activities to build the capacity of elections stakeholders for peaceful and tranquil environment for the 2015 elections;
Communicates with key stakeholders, including government officials, political parties, partner organizations, international and national advisors and experts in the areas of the project intervention;
Builds strong relationships with key stakeholders in the areas of project intervention.

Coordination for Civic Education across the UNDP Project at the Union Level:

Coordinates with the other outputs of UNDP’s Electoral Project for maximizing the effect of activities under project intervention;
Supports coordination with donors and partner assistance to better integrate UNDP’s and others’ interventions;
Coordinates on a day to day basis with other organizations providing electoral support. and

Engage in Knowledge Management:

Engages actively in the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to national and international know-how in the subject area of electoral assistance with a particular emphasis on strengthening understanding of election processes and procedures among stakeholders;
Identifies, synthesizes and provides the collection of best practices and lessons in the area of electoral assistance with a particular emphasis on civic education;
Provides inputs to the preparation and sharing of knowledge tools and products;
Provides information and guidance to consultants working for the project and to brief interested donors, NGO’s or foreign missions on UNDP activities under the project; and
Contributions to UNDP Myanmar knowledge products or policy briefs.
Any other tasks as assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor for Elections.

Impact of Results

The overall impact will be to (i) Ensure UNDP’s effective assistance to elections; (ii) Delivery of the electoral support project; (iii) Design of long term electoral assistance.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Understands general principles of primary area of specialization (Civic Education) as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines (Electoral assistance) and democratic governance more broadly;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates basic knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; and
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Results-Based Project Development and Management:

Assesses electoral support project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
Researches linkages across project activities to identify critical points of integration;
Monitors specific stages of project implementation;
Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development; and
Participates in the formulation of proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda-Operating information for policy input:

Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things and
Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

Client Orientation:

Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion; and
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; and
Learning and sharing knowledge and encouraging the learning of others.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree in law, Political Science, International Relations, Governance and Political Transformation, or other relevant field;
A first-level university degree in combination with four years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience:

2 years of relevant working experience in a field such as civil society mobilisation and civil society network formation, capacity development and training, and advocacy and communications;
Relevant experience working with civil society or CSOs, for example in mobilising civil society for particular issues, in formation of CSO networks, or in day to day liaison for implementation of development programmes;
Experience providing capacity development and training;
Proven project cycle management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
Proven experience in project reporting;
Strong communication and interpersonal skills and negotiating skills;
Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

Language:

Fluency in Myanmar and English is essential.