Senior Programme Officer (Elections)

Senior Programme Officer – Elections – Addis Ababa

Context

The Africa and West Asia (AWA) Regional Programme consists of approximately sixty-nine countries that span 6 sub regions, namely: West Asia; North Africa; West Africa; Central Africa; East Africa and Southern Africa. These countries and sub regions are characterized by a diversity of governance systems, where broadly democratizing countries co-exist with hybrid and authoritarian ones. In the countries where democratic reforms have been pursued, accent has mostly been placed on basic constitutional and electoral system reforms.

Though each sub-region or country has its own unique electoral context, there are number of common factors and trends affecting elections across AWA that are the result of similar historical, political and economic experiences. These diverse countries share a common history of being relatively new nation-states – with the majority obtaining independence in the immediate period before, during and after the Second World War. Over the past few years, there has been significant progress in ensuring that elections play a central role in the political landscape of AWA countries. Yet while there has been progress, this progress has been uneven and there are a number of both positive and negative trends that contribute to the current electoral context in AWA.

In line with the Programme’s strategic objectives, this position will lead efforts in the following thematic areas: Building trust between electoral stakeholders; Legal frameworks; Conflict and Election-related violence; Elections & Gender; Elections & Youth; Citizen participation in Elections; Elections & ICTs; Cost of Elections; Funding of Electoral Campaigns; Social Media & Elections; Electoral Justice and Capacity Building for Election Officials.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as the Electoral Processes lead expert for the AWA region, providing thematic support to the regional and country offices;
• Provides strategic and critical thinking to ensure that the AWA programme’s electoral processes work programme maintains relevance and reputation for quality amongst key practitioners;
• Builds and integrates an elections and conflict perspective into the existing framework of International IDEA comparative knowledge resources;
• Designs projects and leads development of relevant knowledge resources and instruments aiming to build users’ capacities to manage elections;
• Conducts research and provides analysis on important topics and emerging trends in the field of elections, elections & conflict and elections in Africa;
• Identifies funding opportunities, prepare concept notes and proposals to expand International IDEA’s reach, influence and presence in the AWA region;
• Strategically guides projects throughout the project life cycle;
• Supports collaboration by looking at synergies in areas of work within the Institute’s Impact Areas and externally with partners;
• Leads planning and budgeting of activities relating to electoral processes in AWA and provides support towards planning and budgeting for AWA as a whole;
• Represents International IDEA at thematic conferences and events and through collaboration with peer organizations;
• Maintains and develops relevant professional contacts and networks of cooperation with those active in relevant fields, including practitioners, policy makers, academics and the international community
• Collaborates with International IDEA staff members in AWA country offices, other Regional Programmes and at HQ;

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills and significant experience in their field;
• Contributes to assigned projects with authority, and provides policy analysis and design as appropriate;
• Contributes to publications; is recognized as an expert in his/her broad professional community;
• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Fosters team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for less experienced colleagues;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Integrates a gender, conflict sensitivity and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting Line

• Director, Africa and West Asia

Programmatic Knowledge

• Has expert knowledge and extensive work experience in the field of elections combined with excellent understanding of related disciplines in order to approach programmatic issues in a holistic manner.

Operational Knowledge, skills and experience

• Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;
• Has thorough understanding of relevant programmatic issues in the key geographical zone where his/her work is implemented;
• Is active in the search for information on donors and partners, preparation of reports and project briefs, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, and all other activities related to resource mobilization and partnership building;
• Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.

Leadership

• Some people management responsibility over permanent staff is expected;
• Manages project staff/consultants;
• Acts as a model and resource for colleagues.

Problem Solving

• Will solve complex challenges, approach issues with new perspectives, and analyze situations from a multitude of intervening factors.

Impact

• Has a clear impact on the programme development and delivery;
• Will also impact other teams and projects in related fields.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Liaises permanently to all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her project; acts and is perceived as an initiator of relevant communication to solve issues;
• Drives projects and assignments through communicative personal energy and engagement;
• Can explain sensitive information with diplomacy, and build consensus;
• Is able to present his/her activities and represent International IDEA effectively in all professional circles.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required. Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region (Arabic, French, Spanish) is desirable.

Education and Experience

• University degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science or a related field;
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience participating in the implementation of democratization and/or electoral processes preferably in a non-governmental organization, state institution or international organization;
• Practical experience in designing, planning, conducting, advising, and/or coordinating programs in a region or country is required;
• Experience in the Africa West Asia region is essential;
• Knowledge of electoral systems and processes and electoral assistance is essential;
• Experience in electoral risk management and on conflict and security issues is considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

• Contract duration: Two (2) year fixed-term appointment.

Salary entry point – EUR 5, 653 NET per month + benefits

Applying for this position:

Applications should be submitted online no later than 29 September 2019. Please note that all applications must be made in English.

You may apply directly by pressing the Send Application button.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

Tagged as: Elections, Ethiopia, IDEA