Senior Referendum Advisor Job Vacancy in Liberia

IFES’s Building Sustainable Elections Management in Liberia program will support the various upcoming elections through 2014, including the constitutional referendum, 2011 general elections, local elections, and by-elections. Ultimately, IFES aims to increase the capacity of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to efficiently, effectively, impartially, and sustainably manage elections in the coming years. The anticipated results of the program include:
• The increased capacity of the NEC to conduct boundary delimitation;
• A credible, accurate, transparent voter registration system;
• A successful, legitimate referendum to amend the constitution;
• The increased capacity of the NEC to hold community-level information-sharing sessions and conduct civic and voter education; and
• The increased capacity of the NEC to manage its affairs with decreased foreign assistance through more capable staff and well-functioning Magistrate offices.Collectively, these activities will ensure that the NEC becomes truly independent and that Liberians’ control of their own electoral process is not merely an empty aspiration, but a reality that results in credible elections, inclusive political participation, and legitimate institutions of governance.

Responsibilities:

• Providing expert advice to the NEC in all referendum-related processes
• Assisting the NEC in developing and implementing referendum regulations and planning
• Assisting the NEC in referendum-related civic and voter education planning and message development
• Assisting the NEC in developing the referendum operational plan, timeline, and other results-oriented planning documents in coordination with other advisors
• Serving as primary point of contact for IFES COP and other advisors on all referendum-related issues
• Working closely with the NEC Training and Procedures Department and Legal Department as well as relevant advisors in drafting referendum procedures
• Working closely with the NEC Media and Public Outreach Department and relevant advisors on development of referendum-related public announcements, press releases, and other documents
• Working closely with Ballot Paper Design and Production Specialist to design and oversee production of referendum ballots
• Providing periodic status reports to the IFES COP on progress related to the implementation of the referendum
• Carrying out any other electoral tasks at the request of the IFES COP

Qualifications:

• University degree in education, law, or relevant discipline or advanced education/certified training in elections, government, politics, or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum 10 years of relevant and progressively responsible international professional experience in election planning and operations
• Experience in Africa strongly preferred
• Experience participating in preparation and conduct of nationwide referendum process strongly preferred
• Ability to work effectively in a politically-sensitive environment and exercise discretion, impartiality, and neutrality
• Proven ability to plan and ensure targets are met
• Experience and ability to work under pressure and within limited timeframes
• Excellent planning, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Experience with or good knowledge of election-related or political issues
• Excellent written and spoken English

How to apply
To apply visit www.ifes.org/careers
EEO/V/D/M/F