Pacific Outreach and Inclusion Specialist – P4  

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is supporting Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and democratic strengthening through several elections projects operating under an elections portfolio.

The Pacific Elections Assistance Program (PEAP) has been designed to maximise the utility of UNDP’s global elections experience by developing a dedicated office and focal point for UNDP electoral support in the Pacific. 

The program focuses on three region-specific outputs:

1. Electoral institutional capacity deepened, through the provision of technical assistance to EMBs and national governments upon request, needs assessment, and funding agreement.
2. Robust electoral decision making strengthened through the provision of dedicated information exchanges and the development of knowledge products specific to the PICs.
3. Understanding of electoral norms and processes broadened and the professional development of national democratic institution stakeholders augmented, through the promotion of multilateral cooperation and coordination and supporting Pacific-contextualised civic education. 

The Voter Outreach for Transparent Elections (VOTE) Fiji project is working to reinforce the Fijian Elections Office by improving transparency, fostering civic awareness, and implementing a more robust gender-sensitive approach. The project is designed to contribute to the establishment of a representative and inclusive democracy, addressing societal and cultural barriers that hinder effective electoral processes. Building upon successful collaborations observed during the 2022 General Election, the project strategically aligns with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Pacific Strategy, emphasi sing gender equality and peace.

The electoral landscape in Fiji confronts persistent structural challenges that hinder the realisation of a genuinely representative and inclusive democracy. These challenges underscore the necessity for sustained collaborative efforts aimed at overcoming societal and cultural barriers, with the overarching objective of cultivating a more transparent and participatory electoral process.

The Project has four Fiji specific outputs:

1. Advanced Civic and Voter Education for Heightened Public Engagement, Participation, and Trust.
2. Improved Civic Education Election Curriculum Fostering Youth Knowledge and Understanding.
3. Enhanced Operational Templates for Improved Election Efficiency, Confidence, and Transparency.
4. Strengthening ESAG: Elevating Election Security, Collaboration, Preparedness.

This Program and Project align with the UNDP Multi-Country Program Document (2023-2027) Strategic Plan outcome, “No-one left behind,” which centers on equitable access to opportunities and a rights-based approach to ongoing human agency and human development. The project’s outputs directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Program Document (CPD), and Regional Programme Document (RPD).
 

Position Purpose

The Pacific Outreach Specialist will hold a crucial role with a multifaceted elections portfolio aimed at enhancing civic and voter education in the Pacific region. The primary responsibilities will include providing technical assistance and guidance to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) and other Pacific Election Management Bodies (EMBs) for the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of comprehensive civic and voter education strategies. This will involve supporting the production and dissemination of accurate voter/public information materials, factsheets, and messages on the electoral process.

Additionally, the Specialist will contribute to the development and implementation of an improved civic education election curriculum, focusing on youth knowledge and understanding. In a cross-cutting capacity, the role will involve implementing and supervising Pacific electoral programs related to public information, outreach, and media relations with a gender-sensitive approach. Moreover, the Speicliast will contribute to capacity-building, monitor the impact of norms on female, youth, and minority participation, provide corrective advice, and maintain professional partnerships with key stakeholders. This position will play a pivotal role in advancing public engagement, participation, and trust in the electoral process in Fiji and across the Pacific region.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Pacific Outreach Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Civic and voter education advanced for heightened public engagement, participation, and trust
 

• Provide technical advisory assistance and guidance to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) and other Pacific Election Management bodies (EMBs) in planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of a comprehensive civic and voter education strategy directed at voters, political entities, civil society, and other electoral stakeholders.
• Advise and support the FEO in the production and dissemination of timely and accurate voter/public information messages, materials, and factsheets on the electoral process.

2. Improved civic education pacific election curricula fostering Youth Knowledge and understanding 

• Advise and assist the FEO and other Pacific EMBs in developing and implementing an improved civic education election curriculum, with a focus on fostering youth knowledge and understanding.
• Implement, and supervise the implementation of, educational programs targeting youth to enhance their understanding of the electoral process.

3. Substantively contribute towards cross-cutting responsibilities:
 

• Implement, and supervise the implementation of, Pacific electoral programs and processes related to public information, outreach, and media relations, ensuring alignment with gender-sensitive approaches.
• Provide, and supervise the provision of, support, technical assistance, and advice in the above areas as required.
• Contribute, and supervise the contribution to, capacity-building of the FEO as it relates to public outreach and external relations.
• Monitor the impact of domestic and international norms and processes on female, youth, persons with disability and minority participation and provide advice to the Pacific Electoral Management Bodies on appropriate corrective measures.
• If required, supervise and manage the performance of national and international staff assigned to the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain professional and productive partnerships with national counterparts and other key stakeholders in the electoral process.

4. Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP.
 

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Lead workshops with senior level officials and stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned under the project.
• Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends. Represent UNDP in relevant technical meetings and working groups under the direction of CO management.
• Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge from the project; and ensure development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None

Competencies

Core competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:   LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 

Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Communications – Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Partnership management – Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

Business Management  – Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Directon & Strategy – System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. 

Business Management – Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectves and capacity; ability to balance the implementaton of change initatves and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment 

Business Direction & Strategy – Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Management – Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Education or related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additonal two years of work experience in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience  in areas of governance, democratic governance, elections, civic education, or inclusion fields is required. 
• Experience working with Election Management Bodies is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming inclusion in elections outreach is an asset.
• Experience in the Pacific region’s background and culture is preferred 
• Proven track record in managing and developing voter/civic education programs is desired.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required
• Working knowledge of another UN language is desired. 

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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