Background

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2009 established the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in September 2011. The UNSMIL has since commenced its support to the country's new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts. These range from assisting the Libyan authorities restore public security and the rule of law, promote inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, help the Libyans embark on the drafting of a new constitution and lay the foundation for elections. Specifically, the resolution encourages Libyans to implement plans “to ensure a consultative, inclusive political process with a view to agreement on the constitution and the holding of free and fair elections”.

In February 2012, the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) was put in place and a joint UN electoral team has supported the HNEC since, in particular for the organization of the elections of the General National Congress which took place on 7 July 2012 and were widely praised as credible. The team also supported the February 2014 Constitutional Drafting Assembly elections and the June 2014 House of Representatives elections. Under Libyan leadership, UNSMIL and UNDP are jointly supporting the electoral process based on their comparative expertise to ensure uniform decision-making and effective planning. The Promoting Elections for the People of Libya (PEPOL) has been designed to provide a comprehensive range of electoral support through the integrated UN Electoral Support Team (UNEST).

While most Libyans express disappointment with the outcomes of previous elections, they still have a general sense of confidence in the HNEC. With the support of UN electoral team, and having carried out three electoral processes, the HNEC has acquired considerable knowledge and skills in electoral management. Despite these achievements, like other institutions in the country, the HNEC is in a transitional phase and continuous to need sustained capacity strengthening in order to maintain its independence and professionalism thus contributing to efforts to consolidate democracy and stability in Libya. In its request for electoral assistance to the United Nations, the HNEC emphasized the building of institutional capacity as a key objective in addition to requiring direct support for the upcoming electoral events. The international community also continues to support the HNEC and sees it as an essential institution to the consolidation of democracy in the country. 

PEPOL seeks to achieve four key outputs, namely:

  • Support HNEC in the planning, preparation and conduct of national and local elections and out of country voting;
  • Develop HNEC institutional and staff capacities and raise awareness on the requirements of electoral processes that are transparent, credible and promote inclusive participation;
  • Promote public participation in electoral processes, targeting vulnerable groups with activities that enable them to exercise their right to vote;
  • Raising the electoral awareness of local partners, enabling them to perform their role effectively in the electoral process and contribute to a peaceful electoral environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall strategic guidance and supervision of the UNEST Chief Electoral Advisor (CEA), direct reporting on day-to-day basis to the PEPOL Chief Technical Advisor/Project Manager, and in close coordination with UNDP Libya Field Security Specialist, the consultant will perform the following specific duties:

  • Lead on UNEST role in providing technical assistance to the electoral process: specifically focusing on developing strategies, plans, techniques and methods to enhance election security.
  • Provide security policy guidance and security management support to UNEST and PEPOL to enable effective planning and implementation of security and safety procedures for the conduction of day-to-day business in a safer and more secure environment;
  • Advise UNEST and PEPOL on security aspects of election preparations including the design and implementation of Election Security Plan;
  • Examining the functions of various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in promoting electoral security; also advise on best ways to foster synergy and collaboration across institutions and sectors;
  • Evaluate the institutional capacity and setup of national counterparts to handle election-related security issues;
  • Assist in capacity building of national counterparts to undertake continuous election security risk assessments and promote appropriate risk mitigation strategies in partnership with relevant stakeholders;
  • Advise national counterparts on the development of risk assessments and security contingency plans; taking in board specific needs and requirements of vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities and marginalized communities;
  • Support national counterparts to develop and implement security procedures and operating structures on elections, including information and reporting systems;
  • Based on good global practices, design an electoral security curriculum and support the training of trainers and cascade training on electoral security to national counterparts and other relevant security stakeholders;
  • Provide skills transfer and long-term professional development for national counterparts to ensure institutional capacity to support own electoral security for the long haul;
  • Undertake analyses on regular basis to support national counterparts early warning capabilities and to develop appropriate mitigation strategies;
  • Support national counterparts to develop effective partnerships with other relevant stakeholders (including Ministry of Interior) and also the UNDSS and UNDP Security to ensure information sharing;
  • Prepare regular election security briefings for sharing with UNDP and UNSMI;
  • Support UN efforts to counter violence against women in elections (VaWie).

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.

Functional Competencies:

  • Knowledge of the Libyan context and the current transition would be an advantage;
  • Extensive experience in presenting in public forums including high-level national stakeholders;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build trust;
  • Excellent organizational, team-building and planning skill;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effective in team, delivering through and with others.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification:

  • Advanced university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in Security Affairs, Law Enforcement, Military affairs, or other relevant fields.
  • A first-level university degree in with 10 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in providing advice to institutions on security matters and managing security planning;
  • At least 5 years of demonstrated experience of coordinating security arrangements, undertaking security risk assessments in electoral context, in at least three countries, including developing countries and high-risk security contexts;
  • Prior experience in supervising, implementing, supporting or advising on electoral security, within a UN context;
  • Previous experience in providing high-level security advice and briefings is desirable;
  • Demonstrated ability to quickly build and consolidate relationships;
  • Strong political and conflict analysis skills is an asset;
  • Strong management, problem solving, and consensus building skills;
  • Work experience in similar role with UN and NGOs regarding electoral security. 

Languages:

  • Strong written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight 70%;

Financial Criteria weight 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:

  • Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications;
  • Motivation Letter describing their interest in the assignment and why they are the most suitable for the work;
  • Curriculum Vitae and Personal History Form (P11) including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references;
  • Financial Proposal Form, providing a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems) is to be provided by the offeror;
  • Detail Terms of Reference, P11 Form and Financial Proposal Form can be found in the following link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=52471
  • Please submit your Technical and Financial proposals to the following e-mail address no later than 13th January 2019 to Email: tenders.ly@undp.org.