Project Coordinator, iKNOW Politics – Belgium or Sweden (Re-advertisement)

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with a mission to advance democracy worldwide, as a universal human aspiration and an enabler of sustainable development, through support to the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels.

International IDEA believes that democracy is a universal human aspiration and an experience that is pursued and lived in different ways around the world. Beyond the basic tenets of citizens’ choice and citizens’ political equality, the critical choices are best made and the quality of democracy is best gauged by those directly concerned: the citizens themselves. We systematically nurture an open and pluralistic understanding of democracy. This is respectful of the national context, and is in line with our non-prescriptive and non-intrusive approach, as well as with the priorities set by national actors. International IDEA produces, shares and enables the use of comparative knowledge in its key areas of expertise: electoral processes, constitution building processes, political participation and representation, democracy assessments as well as on democracy as it relates to gender and inclusion and sustainable development.

It has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and offices in the Africa and West Asia, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe regions. International IDEA is a Permanent Observer to the United Nations.

International IDEA hosts the Secretariat of the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics), a joint initiative of International IDEA, UN Women, UNDP, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). It is a global online platform (www.iknowpolitics.org) dedicated to the topic of women in politics and designed to increase the participation and effectiveness of women in political life by utilizing a technology enabled forum to share best practices on women’s political participation, representation, and leadership. Starting in 2024, iKNOW Politics will be part of the European Union funded Women and Youth in Democracy (WYDE) programme under the project on Women’s Political Participation, to be implemented jointly by UN Women, International IDEA, IPU and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

Available in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, the iKNOW Politics website aims to increase the number and effectiveness of women in political life by utilizing a technology enabled forum to provide access to resources, expertise, exchange, and knowledge creation on women’s political participation. For more than thirteen years, iKNOW Politics is accessible to both women and men in order to promote women’s participation in politics, political decision-making and leadership around the world.

The Project Coordinator will oversee the management and coordination of the iKNOW Politics partnership project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Coordination

• Coordinates the daily maintenance and updating of the iKNOW Politics website in line with the decisions of the iKNOW Steering Committee members;
• Implements the annual work plan, undertake project monitoring and reporting;
• Organizes and leads regular Steering Committee meetings;
• Maintains strong relationships with key staff of the partner organizations, including through one-on-one consultations, briefings, meetings, and collection of feedback;
• Identifies complementary areas of work, potential opportunities for enhancing linking collaboration and synergies among the partners, including their communications sections;
• Oversees and collaborates with the staff and consultants working on the project (Network Facilitator/s, Web Developer, video editor, etc.)
• Prepares monthly progress reports/Monthly Digests for the Steering Committee;
• Coordinates and supports the preparation of contribution agreements with partner organizations and
• Prepares annual reports for partner organizations.

Advocacy and communications

• Presents and showcases the iKNOW Politics project in relevant workshops, international and national conferences, and internal meetings as needed;
• Expands the knowledge library with new resources, events and news on women’s political participation and representation by leveraging the language expertise and resources provided by partners.
• Coordinates regular updating of all social media accounts to enhance advocacy around increased women’s political participation and representation, including by leveraging the language expertise and resources provided by partners;
• Liaises with relevant networks, organizations and partner offices in developing knowledge products on women’s political participation, such as e-Discussions, on topical issues on women in politics;
• Provides support to the Steering Committee in forging and implementing strategic partnerships to increase outreach of the iKNOW Politics project;
• Provides technical inputs and support in organizing gatherings/workshops/webinars to advance learning in this field, or to promote better programming; and
• Follows trends in the arenas of women in politics and leadership.

Knowledge management and organizational learning

• Maintains and expands the iKNOW Politics network, promoting community collaboration around project priorities and building relations with relevant institutions and individuals;
• Oversees the development of new online tools and features on the website, as needed/decided by the Steering Committee, including a new dedicated page on youth political participation;
• Conducts research and drafts e-Discussion concept notes and summaries in line with the decisions of the iKNOW Steering Committee members;
• Coordinates the translation of e-Discussions and their summaries , leveraging the language expertise and resources provided by partners;
• Works with the Network Facilitator to produce translations and cross-link expert contributions between regions;
• Facilitates the access and sharing of specialized knowledge in the field of women’s political participation through videos, interviews, newsletters, and other related knowledge products;
• Collaborates with each partner organization’s communication teams to ensure cross-posting of relevant knowledge products and content; and
• Oversees the project’s website security, maintenance, and development and perform quality control.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Manages the platform through the project cycle approach i.e. from strategic planning and project design, funding and budgeting to project assessment and accountability;
• Leads meetings and discussions, supervises publications and input from external providers;
• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Directly manages and fosters team work among staff, consultants and/or interns;
• Collaborates with other entities of the Institute and follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’s Core Values: Respect, Integrity and Professionalism.

Reporting line

• Principal Adviser, Democracy and Inclusion
• The Project Coordinator will also work closely and under the overall direction of the iKNOW Politics Steering Committee with the daily/regular reporting to the Principal Advisor, Democracy and Inclusion of International IDEA or his/her designated representative.

Education and Experience

• University degree in political science, gender studies, international relations or related fields;
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment and online knowledge platform management;
• Experience in programme analysis, evaluation and results-based management is essential;
• Familiarity with different online knowledge platforms, content management systems and websites is essential;
• Substantive experience in women’s leadership and participation and knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments;
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder and international organizations is essential
• Work experience in one of iKNOW Politics’ partner organizations a strong asset
• Experience with UN intergovernmental processes including those related to women’s empowerment, gender mainstreaming and gender equality is an asset
• Experience with using social media platforms to communicate messages on political participation or related areas.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of French or Spanish considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

• International Post
• Fixed term appointment until 28 February 2027
• Remuneration – EUR 4 728 NET per month + benefits