Ethiopia: Elections Expert - Ethiopia
Country: Ethiopia
Closing date: 27 Sep 2013
Elections Expert - EthiopiaLocation: EthiopiaDivision: Program ManagementStatus: ConsultantPosition Number: C13:70
Project Description:The Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) was created by the Executive Council of the African Union Commission in 2006 to be domiciled within the Department of Political Affairs and with the broad mandate of not only coordinating and organizing the participation of the African Union in the observation of elections, but also implementing the African Union Commission’s program for the promotion of democracy and democratic elections in the continent as enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, vis-à-vis the enhancement of the national electoral processes of Member States of the African Union through the provision of technical and electoral assistance to Election Management Bodies of Member States of the African Union.
The DEAU carries out the above mandates through a variety of programs conceived, designed and implemented by a team of experts and professionals backed by a host of international partners, including IFES.
National Election Management Bodies (NEMBs) are focal points in African Union member states for infusing governance principles and best practice into electoral processes, including all areas of the electoral cycle, such as voter registration and polling administration, as well as the impact of possibly archaic and contradictory constitutional, electoral and legal frameworks that can exacerbate tensions that come to the fore at election time.
The African Union’s Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit’s (DEAU) mandate requires that it work closely with EMBs to support improvements in their ability to carry out their mandates, and is organized to provide resources to support EMBs and build their technical capacity for managing national elections and related processes.
The African Union’s Democracy and Electoral Assistance Fund (DEAF) is set up to provide resources to support EMBs and build their technical capacity for managing national elections and related processes (http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Conferences/2008/june/pa/Launching_A... ). With contributions from member states and international partners and guidance from the AU through the DEAU, the DEAF is a potentially well-appointed resource for accomplishing this. As a result, the DEAU is now ready to embark on the comprehensive program of providing support to National Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through technical assistance and with such support exert a positive influence on national electoral processes. This objective is in response to the following broad mandate of the Unit, which is to:
•Facilitate the building of capacities of national electoral institutions through training, exchange of human and material resources;•Process requests for electoral assistance;
Additionally the above-mentioned objective is also in line with the Durban Summit decision that a Fund should be created to mobilize resources to
•Provide financial resources to support requests for technical assistance;•Enable the AU to allocate resources and coordinate assistance to recipients according to the assessed democracy and electoral priorities
Job Responsibilities:To enable this component of the Unit’s work, an Elections Expert is sought to undertake the following tasks:
•Formulate, implement, monitor technical assistance projects and requests in the areas of elections and electoral democracy•Assist the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) to evaluate technical assistance requests by national EMBs and determine budgets•Carry out Electoral Research in areas of assistance to EMBs as may be required for the effective implementation of the DEAU’s programs•Establish and build up a database of Electoral Experts who could be deployed to EMBs on short Consultancy •Reinforce EMBs’ organizational capacity in planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of electoral processes; and advise on the time frame and scope of assistance needed, as well as delivery method•Contribute to the conceptualization and drafting of funding proposals on EMB Technical Assistance projects; •Advise on the DEAU on implementation of recommendations made by EMBs’ continental meeting;•Carry out Review of Observer Mission reports and provide advice on the implementation with regards to enhancing the national electoral process of EMBs involved•For 2013/2014 monitor technical assistance and financial contributions provided to Guinea Bissau and Somalia and produce evaluation reports for each •Work within the DEAU’s Post Election Audit Framework closely identify areas of improvement and lessons learned from previous elections by EMBs and address gaps and challenges to improve the Commission’s service.•Work primarily with the Election Management Bodies Advisor on all related EMB activities within the Unit •Conduct additional research into areas identified by the Director and Head of Unit (i.e Provide analytical papers, reports on election related issues for countries holding elections
Qualifications:Education:•Masters degree in international relations, law, political science, social science, or related field;Experience•Minimum 7 years of experience in advising/implementing/ developing strategic and operational plans in the field of electoral assistance;•Experience in coordinating International response to Elections in conflict or post conflict environments•Experience in international support for elections by working with national Election Management Bodies•Experience in working with Electoral Authorities or other politically sensitive organizations•Excellent electoral expertise and understanding of the electoral cycle;•Excellent analytical and drafting skills;Competencies •Analytical skills•Excellent Research and drafting skills•Communications abilities•Teamwork•Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.Language•Fluency in English (written and oral)•Knowledge of French is an advantage
Applying:Applications will be accepted online only, through the IFES website. To apply visit our careers website at http://www.ifes.org/About/Careers.aspx . Then follow the instructions on how to upload your resume and answer prescreening questions. A cover letter is welcome and can be placed in the applicant notes section.
How to apply:
Applying:Applications will be accepted online only, through the IFES website. To apply visit our careers website at http://www.ifes.org/About/Careers.aspx . Then follow the instructions on how to upload your resume and answer prescreening questions. A cover letter is welcome and can be placed in the applicant notes section.
