Vacancy: Senior Programme Officer, Elections - Africa Programme

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. 

Main functions of the post:

• To coordinate and provide expert advice, inputs and assistance with Programmes, activities, projects and events relating to Democracy and Governance in Africa with special focus on elections in collaboration with the Electoral Processes Programme, Cross Cutting Issues and any other IDEA Programme;
• To conceptualise and implement Programmes and projects relating to the Africa Programme and any other project within Africa on governance and democracy in collaboration with Cross Cutting Issues and any other IDEA Programme. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, the incumbent performs the following duties:

• Supports the democratic reform agenda specifically, develops, plans and implements activities relating to the electoral reform process in the region;
• Researches and develops materials to support electoral and other democratisation activities in the region;
• Acts as the focal person for electoral activities within International IDEA’s Africa Programme;
• Liaises and works with all relevant local, national and international governmental and non-governmental actors;
• Provides periodic updates on the political developments in the region in writing;
• Liaises and networks with member states and IDEA partner organisations in collaboration with IDEA external relations Programme;
• Acts as a focal point for the contracting and managing of consultants;
• Undertakes short term international missions from time to time as requested  by the Regional Director;
• Develops and manages the electoral  elements of the Programme budget;
• Provides input into possible funding sources and funding approaches for agreed Programme components and participate as required in fund raising activities and negotiations in line with International IDEA’s fund-raising policies;
• In conjunction with the Finance officer is responsible for the administration, including contracts and travel, of the electoral  elements of the Africa Programme;
• Participates and contributes to the Africa Programme and team activities as well as to the institutional consolidation of International IDEA;
• Advises the Regional Director for Africa on all matters pertaining to the electoral process in Africa and  keeps abreast of developments in the region;
• Actively promotes and integrates gender into all programming work aspects on planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation;
• Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or any person designated by him.

 Level and type of formal education: 

• University degree in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.

Professional experience:  

• Minimum ten (10) years experience dealing with the promotion, support and/or implementation of electoral or other democratic institutional procedures in an electoral management body, governmental, inter-governmental or non-governmental organisation.  Experience in designing, budgeting, negotiating, monitoring and evaluating international cooperation projects;
• Substantive understanding of the challenges facing democracy building and in particular electoral issues, especially in Africa;
• Minimum of five (5) years specific and relevant field experience in any one of International IDEA's focus regions Latin America, Africa, Asia or the Arab World preferably in the areas of elections, political parties, democracy and governance would be an asset;

Functional competencies:

• Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity;
• Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of elections;
• Ability to coordinate complex, multi-dimensional projects;
• 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;
• Strong mentoring skills.

Language skills:

• English: Fluent written and oral; 
• Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region - especially French -  is an asset.

Computer skills:   

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, Internet and web search tools.

Terms of contract:

Two (2) year fixed term appointment. Salary entry point €75000

Deadline for Applications:

Applications should be submitted no later than 3 April 2013

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