International IDEA Vacancy: Senior Programme Manager - Electoral Processes

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. International IDEA’s mission is to support sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, and assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics. 

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 develops, shares and enables the use of comparative knowledge in its key areas of expertise: electoral processes,constitution building,political participation and representation, democracy and development and democracy assessments. 
It also addresses the important issues of gender, diversity, and conflict and security as they relate to democracy. 

International IDEA is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and works worldwide through offices in New York, Brussels, The Hague, Latin America, Africa and Asia. 

Senior Programme Manager - Electoral Processes (click here to access the vacancy)

Context

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. International IDEA’s areas of expertise are electoral processes, democracy and development, political parties participation and representation, constitution-building processes, citizen-led assessment, gender, diversity and conflict/security. International IDEA works worldwide. The Institute pursues its work through its Global Programme located at its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden and The Hague, in the Netherlands, as well through its Regional Programmes in Africa and West Asia, Asia & the Pacific, Latin America & the Caribbean. The Institute also maintains a UN liaison office in New York and an EU liaison office in Brussels.  

The Global Programme, to which the Electoral Processes programme is a part, pursues the Institute´s mandate through:

Developing global comparative knowledge resources and tools;

Providing substantive support to International IDEA´s regional and country programmes and;  

Striving to position International IDEA as an agenda setter and a convenor on its areas of expertise and on global democracy issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leads, manages and provides strategic direction to the election processes programme, demonstrating its strategic value to the attainment of International IDEA´s programmatic and institutional goals generally; and to the election assistance landscape more specifically;  

Leads in building a coherent, highly motivated and highly effective Electoral Processes team with relevant capacity and expertise to continue to strengthen International IDEA´s role as a key player and agenda setter in the elections field;

Manages and directs the work and team to deliver efficiently, within agreed timeframes, budget and in line with approved  procedures and processes; ensuring the delivery of agreed programmatic outputs and outcomes;

Actively builds and consolidates International IDEA´s strategic partnerships and networks in the electoral field specifically and democracy assistance field more broadly; 

Actively mobilises resources needed for the success of the Electoral Processes programme;

Ensures that the team´s work is designed and implemented in close collaboration with other Global Programme thematic areas of work and Regional Programmes teams;

Ensures that all cross cutting themes (gender, diversity and conflict/security) are effectively integrated into the Electoral Processes work.

Actively represents International IDEA in networks and fora relevant to Electoral Processes.

General Profile

Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;

Leads assigned projects with authority throughout the project life cycle, i.e. from strategic planning and project design, funding and budgeting to project assessment and accountability; leads meetings and discussions, oversees publications and input from external providers;

Contributes to publications and is highly recognized as an expert in his/her broad professional community;

Possesses the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise; and lead/guide development of research/analysis, as well as production of knowledge resources and tools in his/her work area;

Effectively leads a team of contributors to the project, including staff members and consultants;

Has experience in managing highly collaborative, motivated and effective teams;

Acts as a model and mentor for colleagues;

Has experience working in multi-cultural environments;

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;

Anticipates internal challenges and issues and recommends process improvements;

Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting Line

Director, Global Programme

Programmatic Knowledge

Has excellent knowledge and extensive work experience in the electoral processes field, including in conflict-affected states, combined with excellent understanding of related disciplines in order to approach programmatic activities 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, maintains high ethical standards, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management;

Understands and manages the budget and planning of his/her project(s).

Leadership

Leads a multi-cultural and multi-talented team, sets team priorities and manages resources;

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.

Education and Experience

Post-graduate qualifications, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience related to election processes, in various positions (managerial, analytical, field work), and preferably within international organizations;

Minimum of five (5) years leadership and management experience including motivating and leading and developing teams and solving problems;

Experience in a national election commission or an organization dealing with national elections is essential; 

Knowledge of the field of development co-operation more broadly; and democracy and Election assistance more specifically. Excellent understanding of various donor policies, programming procedures, project cycle management etc.

Terms of Contract:

Two (2) year fixed term appointment.

Salary entry point EUR 6 546 net, per month.

Applying for this position:

Applications should be submitted online no later than 31 December 2016.

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.