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CHIEF TECHNICAL ADVISOR (ELECT)

12:42:00 PM

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections. This included the establishment of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices throughout Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.

Phase II of the ELECT project, commencing at the end of 2011, will comprise of long-term assistance to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan, focusing on institutional strengthening and capacity consolidation to encourage broader democratic participation. The overarching objective of ELECT-II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible future elections with minimal external support.

Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1974 (2011). This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UNDPKO and EAD.

The three key outputs for ELECT II are:

  • Institutional, operational and technical capacity of the IEC is developed to ensure well organised, future Afghan-led electoral processes.
  • The quality of the voter registry is improved to support future electoral operations.
  • Capacity of the IEC is strengthened to encourage broader democratic participation.

Note: UNDP Afghanistan reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Afghanistan at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Country Director, the Chief Technical Adviser (ELECT) will provide strategic advice to the Chairman and the Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on all electoral matters. S/he will lead the Elect II project and the team of technical advisors to ensure the capacity of the IEC is fully developed so that it can plan and carry out future elections with minimal dependence on international support. The CTA will ensure cooperation and coordination among key stakeholders and partners involved in the electoral process. The CTA will also liaise closely with UNAMA, donors and other election stakeholders to build strategic partnerships. In this capacity the CTA promotes thematic and sectorial synergies and coordination of programme activities and execution. The CTA will be the most senior electoral adviser, providing strategic direction, advice, and policy formulation to ensure that UN/UNDP electoral assistance is coherent and in accordance with established mandates and policies.

The CTA will liaise closely with senior government officials, donors and other election stakeholders to build strategic partnerships. The CTA will provide overall guidance and leadership to the international technical teams that deliver electoral support to the IEC. In this regard, the CTA will work closely with all other implementing agencies that support electoral authorities and advise UNDP on coordination of technical assistance on election support. The CTA will provide leadership to facilitate coordination and exchange of information among donors and implementing agencies in all areas of electoral support.

The CTA will provide strategic direction for the development of electoral policy and reform and the consolidation of institutional capacity of the IEC. In order to stimulate dialogue and strategic thinking in relation to Afghan electoral policy and a potential reform process, the CTA will provide strategic policy advice and promote appropriate fora for national and international experts. S/he will, in addition, guide the formulation of strategic direction to improve voter registry, enhance the IEC public outreach and voter education, and promote advocacy on electoral matters.

Elect II will be a key pillar of the UNDP National Governance cluster and the CTA will play an essential role as interlocutor to build synergies and enhance cooperation with other programmes and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities of the CTA will include:

  • Strategic Policy Direction
  • Programme Management and Delivery of Results
  • Capacity Development for Institutional Reform and Development
  • Marketing and Advocacy
  • Strategic partnerships, Coordination and Resource Mobilization

Strategic Policy Direction

  • Lead strategic planning activities and act as key senior policy advisor to the Afghan electoral management bodies.
  • Provide political, institutional and decisive policy advice on all aspects of electoral capacity building, administration and management.

· Identify programme development challenges and highlight key election issues, situational and strategic opportunities in the form of professional papers and reports; provide policy advice based on best global experiences and practices.

· Provide intellectual leadership in the area of electoral support through identification of key policy and programme issues. Stimulate strategic electoral thinking and tap into appropriate opportunities.

· Formulate policy options for UNDP on electoral issues.

· Lead and monitor the implementation of policy advisory services as well as delivery of national policy products.

· Ensure network of prominent, policy-focused national and international experts are involved to bring best practices and support a series of dialogue roundtables to facilitate knowledge transfer. Build alliances for policy reform among national and international development institutions.

· Document best practices, including concepts, strategies and implementation approaches and support the streamlining of programme policies and practices.

· Prepare project proposals and formulate strategies.

Programme Management and Delivery of Results:

· Advise UNDP on preparation of a long-term capacity development strategy for the Independent Election Commission and other stakeholders.

· Provide strategic advice to the UNDP Country Director, based on the monitoring of implementation support to the IEC and other election stakeholders, on strategies for successful project implementation.

· Guide and advise the project team in overall implementation of ELECT project activities.

· Lead the project team in preparing component or output-based concept or strategy papers and implementation manuals or guidelines.

· Prepare results framework for each output and establish performance and impact assessment indicators and monitoring system.

· Manage delivery of results by using up-to-date best practices and know-how in electoral support and accordingly plan delivery of resources at 25-20% for the first quarter, 50-70 % for second, 75-90% for third and 100% for the final quarter of the performance year.

· Review professional performance and document implementation processes and results through project-based professional reports.

Marketing and Advocacy

· Advocate and promote synthesis of best practices including active participation in UNDP global and regional networks.

· Advocate for UNDP with government counterparts, donors, international institutions and within the UN system as a whole.

· Provide policy direction to ensure preparation of brochures, publications, press releases, etc for appropriate dissemination to publicize and inform on UNDP assistance in the area of elections.

· Prepare relevant professional articles and papers.

· Expand outreach of UNDP electoral support message to the UN, national government, local authorities, private sector, non-government and international development organizations.

Strategic partnerships, Coordination and Resource Mobilization

· Act as resource person on election policies and strategies, if required, for the international development community.

· Analyse information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for cost-sharing.

· Mobilize and network with experts in the international development community, government partners, UN organizations and appropriate think-tanks. Develop and maintain productive relations with partners.

· Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

· Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards;

· Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;

· Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

· Encourages and strengthens team work;

· Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

· Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;

· In-depth knowledge on development issues;

· Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;

· Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

· Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;

· Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;

· Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;

· Strong IT skills;

· Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

· Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

· Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;

· Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

· Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;

· Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;

· Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;

· Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

· Prince2 training and certification, RMG would be an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

· Master's degree in Social Sciences, Development, Political Sciences, Management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

· More than fifteen years of relevant work experience including at least ten years of professional experience in senior programme/project management in the field of elections;

· Extensive knowledge of the UN system and of UN electoral assistance;

· Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;

· Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;

· Team player, self-motivated and proactive, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic with sound judgment;

· Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;

· Dedication to the United Nations principles, to promotion of equal rights of men and women, and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity;

· Proven management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle in the field of elections (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);

· Proven skills in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations;

· Proven experience in partnership building and networking;

· Excellent interpersonal skills;

· Excellent command of oral and written English;

· Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including excel, power-point and word;

· Knowledge of Afghanistan’s electoral experience within broader cultural, traditional and Islamic contexts.

Language Requirements:

· Excellent knowledge of English; working knowledge of Dari, Pashto is a strong asset.

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm

Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm ) in the relevant field of the on-line applications.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (04 January 2012) will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications who are short-listed will be contacted.

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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