Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Soft Copies of Strategic Plans that the Candidate has been involved in and a Proposed Methodology and Workplan

Travel:

a) UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services.

b) Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions

UNESP Description and Purpose of Assignment

The UN Electoral Support Project (UNESP) is the international community’s programming vehicle to support the 2018 to 2021 elections in Afghanistan. The Project has two overall objectives: 1) to build the capacity of the Afghan electoral institutions (the Independent Elections Commission [IEC] and the Electoral Complaints Commission [ECC]) to implement elections in line with the national electoral legal framework and Afghanistan’s international commitments; and 2) to allow a programming mechanism for the international community to partially finance the elections as per the request of the Government of Afghanistan.

Established in 2006, Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) is constitutionally mandated to administer and supervise all types of elections and referenda (Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Article 156).

After completion of the 2018 Wolesi Jirga elections and the 2019 Presidential election and before commencement of the local and provincial elections, the IEC has prioritized the development of its Strategic Plan in 2021. Through the strategic planning process, the IEC anticipates providing a long-term direction to the organization, guide future activities and improve management, operational and structural systems and mechanisms within the Commission, leading to more efficient, transparent and service oriented EMB.

The Strategic Plan is envisioned to be guided by experiences, feedback and recommendations from its staff and national and international stakeholders and reports of observation teams from the past elections.

Through this assignment, UNESP seeks to provide technical and advisory support to the IEC in development of its Strategic Plan in participatory and consultative manner while utilizing international best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The Senior Electoral Strategic Planning Expert’s primary task will be to provide technical assistance and advice to the IEC in the development of its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2021 to 2025) and a Two-Year Action Plan (2021-2022). S/He will be embedded within the IEC and will Manage and lead a team that will support the strategic planning process at the IEC and will undertake the following tasks:

• Gain/enhance current knowledge on the initiatives currently undertaken by the IEC and familiarize themselves with the IEC’s vision, mission, mandate, purpose, existing programmes, including review of organizational documents.
• Conduct a situational analysis to establish Afghanistan’s political, demographic and social-economic context
• Prepare a tentative work plan, methodology and Strategic Plan framework as a starting point for drafting the Five-Year Strategic Plan and Two-Year Action Plan for the IEC and share the same with Senior UNESP advisors as well as the IEC to ratify the proposed methodology and direction the process should take. This methodology should adapt interntional best practices but be sensitive to the context of Afghanistan as dictated by the situational analysis.
• Work with the DCEO Communications or his delegate to create consensus on the direction of the process and get approval for the methodology.
• Conduct an organizational assessment with the aim of identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats towards attainment of overall objectives and mandate of the IEC and consequently in formulating strategic goals, objectives and priorities over the five-year period.
• Plan, facilitate and manage rounds of consultation meetings and workshops with the IEC staff (central and provincial level) and external stakeholders to seek feedback and inputs
• Support the IEC in the preparation of a final Five-Year Strategic Plan and Two-Year Action Plan for implementation of the Strategic Plan
• Advice on institutional arrangements necessary for implementation of the Strategic Plan including organizational processes, communications strategy and decision-making structure to improve organizational effectiveness
• Work with the IEC to develop a comprehensive monitoring, evaluating and reporting framework that identifies measurable and SMART indicators; establishes meaningful monitoring measures; tracks the accomplishment of objectives over time; sets key milestones and measures progress and performance with the goal of ensuring results and accountability. The framework should also have mechanisms to identify priorities for adjustments during the course of implementation of the Strategic Plan.
• Identify the risks of implementing the strategic plan and prepare a risk management framework.
• Work with the IEC to establish the required budgetary adjustments that need to be made to facilitate the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
• Ensure that the Strategic Plan, Action Plan and M&E framework are inclusive and promote access, participation and representation of women, youth, people with disability and socially excluded groups at institutional and programmatic level.

Institutional Arrangement

The Senior Electoral Strategic Planning Expert - IEC will be supervised by UNESP's Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor/Project Manager and will be required to provide daily oral reporting and participate regularly in project meetings weekly case status meetings. Administrative/Logistics support provided will be provided by UNESP to facilitate his/her work.

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience