Background

Those who previously applied need not apply again.

Tanzania has held four credible general elections since the reintroduction of multi-party politics in 1992. Citizens and the government are eager to maintain this track record and to further strengthen democratic practice in Tanzania. Looking to the 2015 general election, government has undertaken early and comprehensive preparations for the electoral processes. Since receipt of official requests for UN assistance to the election cycle leading to the 2015 general election from the National Election Commission and Zanzibar Electoral Commission, a UN Needs Assessment Mission recommended the development of a project in support of the national efforts.
 
In addition, in 2014 the United Republic of Tanzania will likely conduct a first national referendum on a new constitution. The national EMBs and other stakeholders in preparing for these critical events have requested the support of UNDP to provide technical support to the preparation and execution of the referendum.
 
To these ends, the Democratic Empowerment Project (DEP) is a four year (2013-2016) UNDP, UN One Fund and other donor-funded project with the overall aim of contributing to Tanzania’s UNDAP’s Outcome 7: i.e. “key institutions of democracy, (i.e. EMBs, etc.) effectively implement their election and political functions”.   UN Women and UNESCO are implementing partners in a One UN Country Team context.
 
Project Objectives

The DEP seeks to promote democracy and contribute to the realization of the following four objectives:
  • Capacity of the key democratic institutions (EMBs, CRC, RPP, etc.) enhanced to support and promote legal and institutional reform in the context of the on-going constitutional reform process and beyond;
  • Capacity of the EMBs to conduct credible elections enhanced through strategic, technical and operational support and improved EMB engagement with stakeholders (i.e. political parties, CSOs, and the media) to foster a democratic environment;
  • Inclusive participation in elections and politics enhanced through the empowerment of women, youth and PWDs; and
  • National peace infrastructure enhanced to mitigate and prevent election-related conflicts, including violence against women in elections.
Project Management

The DEP project will be executed directly by UNDP and implemented under the overall guiding principle of national ownership and leadership in the electoral process. The international assistance provided should be considered as an extension of, and a complement to, national resources and is intended to support national management and coordination structures.
 
UNDP-UN Women cooperation

DEP builds on well-established UNDP and UN Women partnerships with the EMBs, police, judiciary, Registrar of Political Parties, civil society and the media in an effort to enhance their capacity to contribute to credible and peaceful elections. UN Women will take the lead in supporting DEP management, the EMBs and other stakeholders to ensure that a gender equality perspective is mainstreamed into all project components, and will in particular support implementation of agreed activities under DEP Component 3.: Inclusive participation in elections and politics enhanced through the empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Substantive support to the electoral process:
  • Help implement plans to engage women, youth, and people with disabilities, to encourage and empower them to seek nominations;
  • Support consultations with political parties and others on roadblocks to participation in Tanzania;
  • Help develop baselines and targets for enlarged participation (candidates for nominations);
  • Deliver strategies, approaches and methodologies for training of trainers, focusing on engagement and empowerment of potential candidates;
  • Help provide monthly, quarterly and other reports and briefing notes as required;
  • Perform any other duties the supervisor may assign with respect to the conduct of the elections.
 Capacity Development and Knowledge Building
  • Support preparation of a capacity development plan, including provision of inputs on the national context, taking into consideration the needs of the potential candidates, political parties, and others as appropriate;
  • Help develop strategies to enhance and maintain communication with stakeholders including political parties, the media, civil society and donor partners;
  • Help ensure substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensure effective integration and compatibility with other practice areas;
  • Assist implementation of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the assurance of both quality and delivery.

Competencies

  • Training skills, knowledge of Training of Trainers methodology, and capacity-building tools, techniques and strategies preferred;
  • Excellent analytical, networking, communication, writing and presentation skills;
  • Works effectively under pressure, manages stress well and adapts to evolving situations;
  • Willingness to travel frequently in various locations of Zanzibar.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s degree in political science, social science, gender studies or other relevant field, such as international relations, and public administration, or equivalent.
Experience:
  • At least 5 years of substantive experience in the field of women in elections/politics, political party development, and/or political party management/ activism. Can include former candidate for office;
  • Prior working knowledge of the UN and UNDP or UN Women preferable;
  • Prior knowledge of  Zanzibar is essential;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media applications.
Language:
  • Fluent written and spoken English essential.
  • Knowledge of Kiswahili essential.