International Foundation for Electoral Systems Election Management Advisor - Ethiopia Jobs

International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Election Management Advisor - Ethiopia Jobs

Closing date: 13 May 2019

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

Position Description:

Primary Function/purpose:**

The Election Management Advisor supports the Chief of Party (COP) by coordinating field office activities and managing the office. He/she will also oversee select program objectives, which will be determined in consultation with the Chief of Party and the Division Director.

In particular, he/she will provide technical oversight of activities to build capacity of electoral management bodies (EMB). In addition, the Election Management Advisor will be responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations and will manage the program in the absence of the COP.

He/she will ensure that the key interventions are successfully implemented in accordance with the goal, objectives and expected results of the project.

Job Responsibilities:

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Build and foster relationship with EMBs and other electoral stakeholders.

Advise on general implementation of electoral activities, providing support to improve electoral systems and procedures.

Support integration of the election component with other components of the program related to strengthening political processes and democratic institutions.

Support operational planning efforts of EMBs, including planning for special voting, training, electoral dispute resolution, results management, and other priority areas.

Coordinate with other donors and implementers, including United Nations Development Program, to ensure collaboration, especially regarding support to the EMBs.

Assist the COP in ensuring timely execution of project activities within the allocated budget, and strategic development and implementation.

Oversee specific project activities as directed by the COP and provide technical input as needed.

Serve as the IFES representative to Heads of Missions, Embassy staff and donors on a variety of issues when the COP is not available.

Supervise in-country local support staff and consultants providing feedback on performance.

Oversee program management, administration, finances, budgeting, and reporting.

Oversee any necessary procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID rules and regulations.

Ensure that donor-specified reporting requirements are met.

Prepare papers, reports, briefings on election related topics, programmatic work.

Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, donors and partners.

Manage the project's

monitoring and evaluation plan and oversee data collection and reporting.

Other duties as assigned.

Position Scope:** Manage and perform highly technical work requiring ingenuity and capacity to evaluate and respond to new and changing issues. Support COP in the technical implementation of IFES programming for assigned projects.

Oversee varied activities and processes to support effective project management and implementation. Collaborate with COP in monitoring all aspects of project operations, reporting and compliance.

Decision Making/problem Solving:** Identify risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of program/project goals.

Analyze issues, problems or opportunities and propose appropriate courses of action, based on knowledge of professional principles and best practices.

Participate in the development and implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.

Fiscal Responsibility:** Oversee project budgeting, financial management and reporting. Oversee and approve local and international procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID, non-US rules and regulations.

Authority to regularly make purchases and incur expenses, subject to established controls and procedures.

Relationship:** Maintain collaborative working relationship with senior-level stakeholders within and outside IFES to ensure timely and successful achievement of project goals and objectives.

Represent IFES with external contacts at professional and government levels in the absence of the Chief of Party.

Supervision Exercised:** Oversee in-country project staff and participate in project monitoring and evaluation.

Qualifications: Position Requirements:**

Education: Master’s degree in project management, international development, development studies, public policy, political science required.

Experience:

Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in elections and political processes programming.

At least 8 years of experience managing similar programs in complex operating environments.

Familiarity with political, economic and social context within Africa and/or Horn of Africa preferred.

Significant experience working with elections management bodies, including providing technical assistance in areas such as special voting, training, electoral dispute resolution, results management.

Strong knowledge of election administration and operations.

Related Skills or Knowledge:

Demonstrated leadership, national staff management, project administration and financial management skills.

Familiarity with USAID and other donors strongly preferred, including experience managing relationships with international donor community.

Detailed oriented and organized.

Demonstrated ability to manage staff, prioritize and handle multiple tasks and consistently meet tight deadlines.

Ability to develop and manage effective local relationships by applying cultural awareness.

Collaborative, team oriented individual.

Proven capacity to work well with minimal supervision.

Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English required. Amharic a plus.

Physical Requirements/work Environment:
Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

How to Apply:
careers@ifes.org