Senior Electoral Officer (Training and Capacity Building)

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The position is based in Juba and is located in the Electoral Affairs Division (EAD). The Senior Electoral Officer (Training and Capacity Building) will report to the Principal Electoral Affairs Officer.

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2567 (2021) deciding that UNMISS’s mandate is designed to advance a three-year strategic vision to prevent a return to civil war in South Sudan, to build durable peace at the local and national levels, and to support inclusive and accountable governance and free, fair, and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R- ARCSS). Furthermore, Security Council Resolution 2677 (2023) called on the UNMISS to provide technical assistance, to include capacity-building, and logistical support for the electoral process, as appropriate, in coordination with the United Nations Country Team and regional and international partners as well as security support to facilitate the electoral cycle, consistent with the R-ARCSS.

Responsibilities

The Senior Electoral Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Design, lead, supervise, coordinate and contribute to the implementation of electoral assistance programs and processes in procedures, training, gender mainstreaming and capacity-building.
• Lead, coordinate and supervise the provision of support, technical assistance and advice to national counterparts and their institutions in the above areas and provide high-level assistance and advice as required.
• Design, lead, coordinate, supervise and contribute to the implementation of strategies and programmes to build the capacity of national counterparts and strengthen national institutions in the areas of procedures, training, gender mainstreaming and capacity-building .
• Monitor the impact of domestic and international norms and processes on female participation and provide advice to the Electoral Management Bodies on appropriate corrective measures.
• Advise and assist with the preparation and implementation of the necessary training plans and documentation in support of the electoral process;
• Recommend suitable training programmes in collaboration with electoral planners and Electoral Affairs Division.
• Supervise and manage the performance of UN national and international staff in the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain professional and productive partnerships with national counterpart institutions partners , consultants and other key stakeholders, involved in the areas of procedures, training, gender mainstreaming and capacity-building.
• Establish effective communication mechanisms, regularly brief the Principal Electoral Officer and senior UN officials, partners, donors, counterparts as well as other key stakeholders on the electoral process and provide regular reports.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

The Electoral Officer will interact frequently with the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT) members, especially with his/her supervisor, Officers in UNMISS, and other UN agencies (e.g. UNDP), staff of specialized agencies, representatives of the Government, TNLA and other relevant national interlocutors, National Election Commission, Political Parties Council.

Results Expected:

• The support of the United Nations in the area of responsibility contributes to credible and inclusive elections, minimizing violence and maximizing the chances of legitimate government, peace and stability.
• The United Nations mandated support in the area of responsibility is implemented effectively, using resources efficiently and minimizing risks to the organization.
• The supervisor has access to accurate and timely information as well as advice on the electoral process and its implications.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, notably in-depth understanding of and ability to evaluate electoral processes, knowledge of all aspects of electoral processes and their technical and political implications; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing; shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Managerial Competencies:

• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science international economics, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in elections and related areas in at least 3 countries is required.
• At least five (5) years of experience in supervising, implementing, supporting or advising on electoral processes in the areas of procedures, training, external relations, public information, outreach and media relations, civic and voter education, graphic design, support to media, political parties and civil society, gender mainstreaming and capacity-building is required.
• United Nations electoral experience in a peacekeeping operation, political mission and/or a UN agency or other relevant international electoral experience is required.
• Experience in in developing countries is required.
• Experience in post-conflict situations is desirable.
• Previous experience of managing a team of different backgrounds at the senior level and the ability to manage and coordinate complex projects are desirable.
• Experience in bilateral or multilateral negotiations is desirable.
• Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Application instructions

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