The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the post of 'Senior Programme Officer - Democracy and Governance', to be based in South-Africa.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.
International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Senior Programme Officer, Democracy and Governance
Main functions of the post
The main functions of the post are:
1. To provide conceptual, strategic and research based leadership on governance and democracy challenges in Africa and the Middle East;
2. To draft policy papers, programme plans and other relevant documents;
3. To ensure that the Regional Director and AMEP retains leadership over IDEAS Africa and Middle East activities and initiatives and is able to retain its role as a premier technical advisor and partner in already established initiatives, such as the activities conducted in partnership with the African Union Commission and other regional organisations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East the incumbent performs the following duties:
1. Strategic conceptualisation of governance and democracy initiatives and programmes within Africa;
2. Leads processes for the development of IDEA’s overall strategic position in the region and ensures that all IDEA initiatives are within the framework of agreed approach;
3. Drafts strategic documents to ensure that IDEA is well positioned to lead efforts in democracy and governance within the region;
4. Initiates and manages research activities and programmes within IDEA and where relevant in partnership with regional, sub-regional and multilateral organisations within the region;
5. Prepares and drafts Policy perspectives and positions on all areas of work that fall within IDEAs portfolio of work;
6. Provides day to day advise on all strategic, conceptual and substantive issues that confront the IDEA Regional programme;
7. Attends meetings and other events to represent IDEA perspectives and position and ensures that IDEA reputation on democracy and governance support is maintained and strengthened;
8. Engages partners and Member States to ensure that IDEA work is responsive to needs and is able to attract support and resources;
9. Drafts presentations, speeches, letters and related documents as may be needed by the Regional Director or as per instruction;
10. Leads and organises research, seminars, workshops in Governance, Democracy and related areas within the strategic plan of IDEA;
11. Assists with the mobilisation of resources and develops reports and budgets where necessary and appropriate;
12. Develops reports on specific activities and drafts proposals as and when required by AMEP and as may be needed for its activities, e.g. JAP;
13. Liaises with all staff and IDEA offices as required by the Regional Director and on behalf of the Africa Programme;
14. Actively integrates a gender perspective in programming activities under his/her responsibility;
15. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East or any person designated by him/her.
Qualifications and skills
Level and type of formal education: * University degree (preferably at post graduate level) in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.
Professional experience: * Minimum of ten (10) years experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within one or several international organizations; * Relevant field experience in Africa (engaging with African Union Member States), preferably in the areas of democracy and governance would be an asset. * Experience in the Management of large and complex programmes and /or research initiatives in governance and democracy.
Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Ability to work with complex multilateral organisations and partner organisations in difficult and turbulent environment; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Democracy and Governance; * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.
Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.
Supervisory responsibilities: * Supervision and management of Programme Officers and/or Assistant Programme Officers working in his/her programmes, and on occasion interns/fellows.
Language skills: * English and French: Fluent written and oral * Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.
Computer skills: * Knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.
Criteria for Professional Performance
The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities both at Headquarters and in the field and, as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:
1. Be a Facilitator of Change
2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive
3. Lead by Example
4. Be a Decision Maker
5. Be a Model of Integrity
6. Celebrate Diversity
7. Be a Team Worker/Builder
8. Strive for Success and Excellence
9. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level IV Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.
Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.
International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the post of 'Senior Programme Officer - Democracy and Governance', to be based in South-Africa.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.
International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Senior Programme Officer, Democracy and Governance
Main functions of the post
The main functions of the post are:
1. To provide conceptual, strategic and research based leadership on governance and democracy challenges in Africa and the Middle East;
2. To draft policy papers, programme plans and other relevant documents;
3. To ensure that the Regional Director and AMEP retains leadership over IDEAS Africa and Middle East activities and initiatives and is able to retain its role as a premier technical advisor and partner in already established initiatives, such as the activities conducted in partnership with the African Union Commission and other regional organisations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East the incumbent performs the following duties:
1. Strategic conceptualisation of governance and democracy initiatives and programmes within Africa;
2. Leads processes for the development of IDEA’s overall strategic position in the region and ensures that all IDEA initiatives are within the framework of agreed approach;
3. Drafts strategic documents to ensure that IDEA is well positioned to lead efforts in democracy and governance within the region;
4. Initiates and manages research activities and programmes within IDEA and where relevant in partnership with regional, sub-regional and multilateral organisations within the region;
5. Prepares and drafts Policy perspectives and positions on all areas of work that fall within IDEAs portfolio of work;
6. Provides day to day advise on all strategic, conceptual and substantive issues that confront the IDEA Regional programme;
7. Attends meetings and other events to represent IDEA perspectives and position and ensures that IDEA reputation on democracy and governance support is maintained and strengthened;
8. Engages partners and Member States to ensure that IDEA work is responsive to needs and is able to attract support and resources;
9. Drafts presentations, speeches, letters and related documents as may be needed by the Regional Director or as per instruction;
10. Leads and organises research, seminars, workshops in Governance, Democracy and related areas within the strategic plan of IDEA;
11. Assists with the mobilisation of resources and develops reports and budgets where necessary and appropriate;
12. Develops reports on specific activities and drafts proposals as and when required by AMEP and as may be needed for its activities, e.g. JAP;
13. Liaises with all staff and IDEA offices as required by the Regional Director and on behalf of the Africa Programme;
14. Actively integrates a gender perspective in programming activities under his/her responsibility;
15. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East or any person designated by him/her.
Qualifications and skills
Level and type of formal education: * University degree (preferably at post graduate level) in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.
Professional experience: * Minimum of ten (10) years experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within one or several international organizations; * Relevant field experience in Africa (engaging with African Union Member States), preferably in the areas of democracy and governance would be an asset. * Experience in the Management of large and complex programmes and /or research initiatives in governance and democracy.
Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Ability to work with complex multilateral organisations and partner organisations in difficult and turbulent environment; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Democracy and Governance; * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.
Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.
Supervisory responsibilities: * Supervision and management of Programme Officers and/or Assistant Programme Officers working in his/her programmes, and on occasion interns/fellows.
Language skills: * English and French: Fluent written and oral * Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.
Computer skills: * Knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.
Criteria for Professional Performance
The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities both at Headquarters and in the field and, as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:
1. Be a Facilitator of Change
2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive
3. Lead by Example
4. Be a Decision Maker
5. Be a Model of Integrity
6. Celebrate Diversity
7. Be a Team Worker/Builder
8. Strive for Success and Excellence
9. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level IV Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.
Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.
International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.