Vacancy on International IDEA: Senior Programme Officer-Democracy Assessment, Analysis and Advisory Unit

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. 

International IDEA makes a request for the following position. Click here to access the vacancy on IDEA's website.

Senior Programme Officer - Democracy Assessment, Analysis and Advisory Unit

Context

International IDEA´s 2012-2017 strategy emphasizes a “focus on developing, sharing and enabling the use of comparative knowledge, facilitating dialogue to support democratic change; and partnering in the reform efforts at the country level”. The Democracy Assessment, Analysis and Advisory (DAAA) Unit forms part of International IDEA’s global programme (GP) and has the objective of contributing to International IDEA’s capacity to strengthen democratic institutions and processes through analysis, assessment, and advice (of democratic trends and issues), including through mainstreaming gender, diversity, and conflict and security into International IDEA’s programmatic activities.

The DAAA Unit includes an assessment and mainstreaming component and acts as an analytical and mainstreaming ‘resource center’ for International IDEA on global developments and their impact on democracy. Its work is informed by the expertise of cross-cutting themes including gender, diversity and conflict and security as well as the State of Democracy (SoD) assessment framework.

The DAAA Unit’s programmatic components include the following work streams depending on the objective and outcome of projects/activities:

Developing, sharing and enabling the use of comparative knowledge assessment tools and resources, including institutionalizing gender, diversity and conflict assessments that inform the design and implementation of International IDEA´s democracy support programmes; while continuing to support citizen-led approaches to democracy assessment using International IDEA´s State of Democracy assessment frameworks;

Activating and enhancing institutional mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues both within International IDEA and externally, in support to projects and activities conducted by International IDEA’s regional programmes in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Wider Europe as well as International IDEA’s Key Impact Areas (KiAs): Election Processes (EP),  Political Participation and Representation Processes (PPRP), Constitution Building Processes (CPB), and Democracy and Development (D&D)

Establishing or revising partnerships focused on supporting, enhancing or multiplying the strategic objectives of DAAA and of International IDEA as a whole with a view to influencing dialogue on democracy.

Duties and Responsibilities

Assessment Component

Undertakes and coordinates research and policy relevant analysis of democratic trends and developments at all levels of society around the world; ensuring the integration of cross-cutting issues such as diversity in such analysis as appropriate;

Makes research data and findings on trends impacting on democracy more accessible and understandable for democracy practitioners, policy makers and influencers;

Develops comparative knowledge resources and analysis tools, such as web-based applications, handbooks, policy papers, and articles;

Coordinates DAAA knowledge resources production, including content development, quality control, translations, and the development of outreach and dissemination strategies;

Contributes to the implementation of the International IDEA-wide project on the development of a signature publication through assessment and analysis, conducting research and contributing to the writing process as well as managing project components as assigned

Mainstreaming Component

Provides substantive inputs to International IDEA Regions and KiAs upon request as well as in relation to DAAA partnerships and networks to promote cross-cutting issues such as diversity in democracy building;

Supports DAAA networking and partnership initiatives for engaging regional and global organizations to promote a diversity sensitive approach to democracy building

Other Programming Activities

Supports DAAA Programme development in terms of project design, planning and budgeting, including budget monitoring in cooperation with other International IDEA programmes in HQ and the Field and in this connection acts as a focal point as assigned by the Head of the DAAA for a designated IDEA programme in HQ and in the 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 and supports the Head of DAAA in fundraising and resource mobilization in relation to the DAAA programme and its projects;

Contributes to the monitoring and evaluation of the DAAA programme;

Works in a collaborative manner with DAAA cross-cutting themes and the State of Democracy framework so as to ensure a coherent programmatic approach to DAAA activities;

Work in a collaborative manner with other IDEA programmes in HQ and the Field;

Adds value to team-based activities in DAAA; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;

Organizes and attends international conferences, round tables, workshops, and other related events related to the DAAA programme as appropriate and assigned;

Contributes to the further development of International IDEA’s outreach and communications activities, including updating the website and relevant social media networks as relevant to the DAAA programme;

General Profile

Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in the democracy and governance field and/or political analysis or international relations field

Has worked for international organisations or international NGOs and is familiar with implications for democracy assessment and political analysis as a result of the mandate and membership of such organisations

Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;

Has the necessary leadership skills and experience to lead a team of contributors to a project, including staff members and consultants;

Manages and/or collaborates with researchers and consultants;

Actively integrates the inclusion of cross-cutting perspectives, including gender and diversity in all activities

Can work with minimal guidance and supervision;

Anticipates internal challenges and issues and recommends process improvements;

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.

Reporting Line

Head of Democracy Assessment, Analysis and Advisory Unit

Programmatic Knowledge

Has excellent knowledge and extensive work experience in the field of democracy, good governance and political analysis, combined with excellent understanding of related disciplines in order to approach programmatic activities in a holistic manner.

Has knowledge of mainstreaming approaches, ideally with a focus on diversity, including inclusion, participation, diversity management, and conflict management

Operational Knowledge, skills and experience

Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;

Works to develop synergies in relation to relevant programmatic issues and key geographical regions where International IDEA has regional programmes and offices and DAAA work is implemented;

Actively collects 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, 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

Takes on team leading responsibilities within his/her thematic area of work as appropriate, including coordination and monitoring of timely implementation of programmatic activities and assigned tasks

May be asked to supervise associate programme officers, research assistants and/or interns

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 with all internal and external stakeholders involved in assigned DAAA programmatic activities; 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, has an understanding of the political sensitivity of DAAA work given the status of International IDEA as an international organization and  is able to build consensus;

Is able to present his/her activities and represent International IDEA effectively in all professional circles.

Education and Experience

Post-graduate qualifications in law, social sciences, political science, development or a related field;

 A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in the field of democratization, political analysis, international relations, good governance or the rule of law, preferably within the context of an international organization or NGO working in the field of democracy or human rights;

Demonstrated experience in conducting research and analysis and drafting of analytical papers and assessments;

Excellent writing skills and drafting ability of documents in English for diverse audiences;

Results-based programme project development as well as project management experience, including budget supervision, preferably within the context of an international organization or NGO working in the field of democracy or human rights;

Excellent team leading and team building skills

Political sensitivity

Experience in resource mobilization and fundraising is advantageous

Knowledge of mainstreaming approaches, particularly diversity issues focused on inclusion, participation, diversity management, conflict management is advantageous

Field experience in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Wider Europe or Latin America is advantageous

Terms of Contract:

Two (2) year fixed term appointment.

Salary entry point EUR 5 456 net, per month.

Applying for this position:

Applications should be submitted online no later than 23 August 2016.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.