ELECTORAL OFFICER (FIELD TEAM LEADER)

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The position is based in multiple duty stations -located at each of the state capitals- in South Sudan (Juba, Torit, Yambio, Malakal, Bentiu, Bor, Rumbek, Kuajok, Wau and Aweil) and is part of the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT) presence in the field. The Electoral Officer (Field Team Leader) will report to the Senior Electoral Officer (Operations) through the Electoral Officer (Field Coordination). The Electoral Officer (Field Team Leader) serves as a team leader of the UN IEAT at respective field offices, which provides advice and support to national counterparts within the respective Area of Responsibility (AoR). 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 2729 (2024) 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

Within delegated authority, the Electoral Officer (Field Team Leader) will be responsible for the following duties: – Design, implement, and often supervise the implementation of, electoral programs and processes, including trainings, at state level, as required. – Provide, and supervise the provision of, support, technical assistance and advice in capacity-building of national counterparts and strengthening of national institutions and processes, including in all aspects of electoral operations and election security coordination. – Ensure that all electoral assistance activities within the respective AoR are conducted effectively by addressing policy guidance and logistics, and other electoral needs in a timely manner. – Lead in development of local operational and contingency plans; taking into account specifics (logistical, operational, political) of different geographical areas of the AoR. – Analyse the context in which the election will take place (i.e. social, political, inter-ethnic, security, economic risk factors) within AoR and provide written and verbal reports associated to electoral updates – taking into consideration both technical and political components. – Supervise and manage the performance of national and international staff assigned to the area of responsibility. – Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations and administration of the electoral office within the AoR. – Establish and maintain professional and productive partnerships with national counterparts and other key stakeholders in the electoral process. – Coordinate closely with the Head of Field Office and other section/unit representatives of UNMISS at the AoR, including Force and UNPOL. – Provide advice and support to assessments of the National Elections Commission (NEC)’s High Committees at state-level’s capability on human resource management, training management, equipment management, information management, operational and logistical readiness and communications. – Provide technical support and advice to NEC’s High Committee at state-level staff in ensuring training and capacity building activities are promoting best practices as appropriate to the needs of the institution and process within the AoR. – Advise and support NEC’s High Committee at state-level to design and apply accountability mechanisms. – Assist the national electoral authorities in developing and maintaining regular and impartial communication with political parties, media organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society and observer and gender focal groups. – Conduct analysis of critical election and election-related issues, with a view to inform stakeholders, and better articulate challenges and achievements. – Document lessons learnt and best practices in capacity development initiatives within the AoR. – Monitor the impact of domestic and international norms and processes on female participation and provide advice to NEC’s High Committee at state-level on appropriate corrective measures. – Coordinate closely with UN IEAT in the Headquarters in Juba, acting as a liaison between headquarters and field offices to ensure alignment, effective communication, and coordinated efforts. Ensure that reports are produced regularly and within set deadlines; compile regular reports on major electoral developments and issues within the AoR, including immediate and longer-term issues. – Draft periodic reports and provide regular verbal briefings on electoral and political developments within the AoR. – Represent UN IEAT at the state level. – Perform other related duties as required. Results Expected: • The support of the United Nations in the area of responsibility contributes to credible and inclusive elections. • 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 electoral processes and their technical and political implications; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates 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.

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 two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in elections and related areas in at least three (3) countries, of which at least three (3) years of experience in supervising, implementing, supporting or advising on electoral processes is required. At least three (3) years’ experience in an institutional capacity building role in an electoral context 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. Previous work experience in support to an Election Management Body is required. Previous experience of managing teams of different backgrounds is required. Experience in developing countries is required Experience in managing projects is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in bilateral or multilateral negotiations is desirable. Experience in post-conflict situations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2025 with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. •Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.