Regional Electoral Officer - UNDP (Apply by: 14 June 2014)

Location :  Biratnagar, Dhangadhi, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu, NEPAL

Application Deadline :  14-Jun-14

Additional Category       Democratic Governance

Type of Contract :  Service Contract

Post Level :         SB-4

Languages Required : English 

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jul-2014

Duration of Initial Contract : Six mnoths with possibility of extension

Background

The UNDP Electoral Support Project (ESP) provides technical assistance and advisory support to the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) for the period (2008-2016). The ESP support aims at building sustainable and enduring institutional and professional capacity within the ECN that could be easily and effectively deployed in future elections. Through the provision of on-site technical advisory services and specialised electoral support, ESP seeks to enhance and further consolidate the institutional strengthening of the Election Commission of Nepal, of its Secretariat and its regional and district offices.  This support will also aim to enhance the professional capacities of its staff down to district level to meet the numerous priorities required to be addressed in order to further enhance the credibility and the adequacy of Nepal's future electoral processes.

The ESP consists of two phases. Phase I (2008-2012) focused exclusively on long-term electoral capacity building and institutional strengthening during the first three years following the CA election and was drawing to a completion at the time of the Project’s second revision.  Phase II (2012 – 2016) focuses on both long-term capacity building and operational support for future electoral processes.

Long-term capacity building: the Electoral Support Project continues to be cantered on the provision of sustained institutional strengthening and professional development assistance initiatives to assist the ECN in its efforts to strengthen and enhance its capacity to function as a permanent, professional and independent electoral management body.

Operational support for upcoming electoral processes: following the successful organization and conduct of the 2013 CA Elections, ESP continues to provide operational and technical support, particularly in view of the preparations for the upcoming local elections. As part of this support, the ESP is seeking to recruit Regional Electoral Advisers (national) to support the Election Commission, Nepal at regional level and work towards ensuring effective and efficient UN support to the upcoming electoral processes.

The thematic project activities includes:

• Strategic Planning for the electoral cycle;
• ong-term Professional Development (BRIDGE training);
• Modernization of the Voter Registry;
• Establishment of GIS and Electoral Mapping System;
• Regional Technical Cooperation and Professional Exchanges;
• Establishment and Operationalization of the Electoral Information and Education Centre;
• Public Outreach and Voter/Civic Information/Education;
• Electoral Dispute Resolution;
• Support to external relations;
• Support in the area of  Gender and Social Inclusion targeting Vulnerable Groups;
• Support in the area of  Electoral Security;
• Support for election operations and logistics; and
• Training of electoral staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

“Under the direct supervision of the Senior Electoral Advisor – Regional Coordinator, the Regional Electoral Officer is expected to work in close collaboration and coordination with Election Commission of Nepal at HQ and district level, relevant district government officials, ESP team and project partners to carry out her/his responsibilities. The Regional Electoral Officer (national) will support the ECN’s Regional Election Office and the District Election Offices within her/his area of responsibility with technical assistance, capacity building and development, planning and implementation of election activities.

The incumbent will have the following overall responsibilities:

• Work together with the ECN counterparts at Regional and District Election Offices providing support and assistance in election-related activities.
• Provide timely and effective support in the design, development and implementation of the national capacity development programme region-wide.
• Support the development and implementation of regional and district level electoral operational plans of the ECN including contingency plans.
• Support follow-up and reporting of operational and the day-to-day activities of the ECN in the region.
• Assist the ECN’s Regional and District Election Offices in the design, set up and management of the regional facilities and premises.
• Effectively liaise with financial and administration team to facilitate effective, integrated project implementation at the regional level. Ensure compliance with UNDP rules in the execution, documentation and archiving of the funds/cash advances allocated to the regional office.
• Ensure the effective management of the Regional Office and regional national staff (Logistic/Administrative Assistant, driver, etc).
• Facilitate planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the districts in the region: review the annual work plan in coordination with district teams and report it to Senior Electoral Advisor- Regional Coordinator.
• Ensure compliance with UNDP rules in regulations during the planning and conduct of the field trips within the area of responsibility or to other regions.

Expected Outputs:

• Effective coordination of the ESP electoral support activities at regional level and delivery of project target results in compliance with UNDP rules and procedures;
• Regional/district support for the design, development and implementation of a comprehensive joint capacity development programme ECN – ESP;
• Effective support in the drafting of the regional operational plan and contingency plans;
• Effective support for the preparation and organization of electoral processes at regional level, as required;
• Periodical reports on regional electoral activities including field visit reports;
• ESP Regional Electoral Office maintained and operational.”

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrated high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards, impartiality and discretion and proven capacity of initiative, discretion and autonomy;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategy of UNDP;
• Displays respect to diversity and cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity.

 Functional Competencies:

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
• Development and Operational Effectiveness:
• Sectoral planning, results based management and reporting;
• Able to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate programmes and projects, as well as resource mobilization skills;
• Able to implement new systems with attitude change among implementing partners.

Management and leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feed-back;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Effective communications skills and ability to establish good working relationships with national and international interlocutors;
• Demonstrated openness to change and ability to solve problems and manage complexities;
• Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort;
• Ability to travel under harsh conditions within the country whenever required;
• Excellent team building skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education :

Master degree in any field.

Experience:

Minimum five years of experience in a relevant area of expertise;

Specific experience in United Nations electoral missions will be an advantage, preferably in transitional and post-conflict situations;

Prior working experience with Government of Nepal or International agencies will be an asset;

Very good communication and reporting skills.

Language:

Proficient in both written and spoken Nepali language and very good command of English language.

Computer skills:

Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point, Internet, email and general ICT skills.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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