EXTERNAL
LIAISON AND OUTREACH ADVISOR – ELECTIONS PROJECT
LIAISON AND OUTREACH ADVISOR – ELECTIONS PROJECT
Location : Blantyre, MALAWI
Application
Deadline : 19-Jul-13
Deadline : 19-Jul-13
Type of
Contract : FTA
International
Contract : FTA
International
Post Level : P-4
Languages
Required : English
Required : English
Starting
Date (date when the selected candidate is expected to
start) : 02-Sep-2013
Date (date when the selected candidate is expected to
start) : 02-Sep-2013
Duration of
Initial Contract : One Year
Initial Contract : One Year
Background
Malawi has
made significant progress towards its democracy since the introduction of
multiparty elections in 1994 holding successive rounds of concurrent
parliamentary and presidential elections. Local elections were, however, held
only in 2000 and subsequent re-elections postponed since 2005. In November 2012
a constitutional amendment was passed by Parliament to pave the way for
Malawi’s fifth round of national elections to become inaugural tripartite
(Presidential, Parliamentary and Local) elections in May 2014. The decision
occurs, however, following a suspension of the Malawi Electoral Commission
(MEC) in 2010/2011 and the appointment of a new Board of Commissioners and
Chairperson in 2012.
made significant progress towards its democracy since the introduction of
multiparty elections in 1994 holding successive rounds of concurrent
parliamentary and presidential elections. Local elections were, however, held
only in 2000 and subsequent re-elections postponed since 2005. In November 2012
a constitutional amendment was passed by Parliament to pave the way for
Malawi’s fifth round of national elections to become inaugural tripartite
(Presidential, Parliamentary and Local) elections in May 2014. The decision
occurs, however, following a suspension of the Malawi Electoral Commission
(MEC) in 2010/2011 and the appointment of a new Board of Commissioners and
Chairperson in 2012.
UNDP and
other development partners are supporting the MEC in its preparations for these
landmark polls in 2014, as well as ongoing institutional development throughout
the 2013 to 2016 electoral cycle. Through the 2013-2016 elections project UNDP
is committed to strengthening the capacity of the MEC to organize and conduct
the elections, ensure broad inclusiveness and informed participation among
citizens and key stakeholders in a peaceful and fair election process with
emphasis on promoting the participation and engagement of women, youth and
those living with disabilities and marginalized groups. The main objectives of
the project are to support the MEC to plan, conduct and supervise free and
credible tripartite elections, and to develop the institutional capacity of the
MEC to minimize the need for external technical assistance in future elections.
other development partners are supporting the MEC in its preparations for these
landmark polls in 2014, as well as ongoing institutional development throughout
the 2013 to 2016 electoral cycle. Through the 2013-2016 elections project UNDP
is committed to strengthening the capacity of the MEC to organize and conduct
the elections, ensure broad inclusiveness and informed participation among
citizens and key stakeholders in a peaceful and fair election process with
emphasis on promoting the participation and engagement of women, youth and
those living with disabilities and marginalized groups. The main objectives of
the project are to support the MEC to plan, conduct and supervise free and
credible tripartite elections, and to develop the institutional capacity of the
MEC to minimize the need for external technical assistance in future elections.
Under the
overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative, the position
reports to the Senior Elections Advisor and works closely with MEC staff as
part of the UNDP Technical Advisors Team. The position reports to the Senior
Elections Advisor to advise and assist the MEC on external liaison activities
and public information outreach campaigns. This is a Development Project Funded
Position.
overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative, the position
reports to the Senior Elections Advisor and works closely with MEC staff as
part of the UNDP Technical Advisors Team. The position reports to the Senior
Elections Advisor to advise and assist the MEC on external liaison activities
and public information outreach campaigns. This is a Development Project Funded
Position.
Duties and
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Provide
technical advice and expertise on design, development, and maintenance of
external liaison framework for electoral stakeholders.
technical advice and expertise on design, development, and maintenance of
external liaison framework for electoral stakeholders.
- Support the MEC and advise on identifying
priority objectives in developing its public outreach, including civic and
voter education strategies and campaigns, underscoring the importance of
broader democratic participation, inclusivity in the democratic process,
as well as key election-specific information and messages; - Facilitate MEC’s efforts to develop targeted
public outreach activities through both mass media and local initiatives,
including rationale, budget and other required resources, timeline and
delegation of responsibilities; - Determine appropriate media for reaching out
to the public and design strategies for reaching target groups. - Provide technical assistance on the
development and elaboration of an appropriate framework of events and
processes for MEC and electoral stakeholders; - Guide the analysis, design and conceptualization
of public information campaign and outreach strategies. - Technical backstopping in the
conceptualization and design of informational materials for information
campaigns, as well as their associated operationalization; - Assist and advise on the development,
scheduling and management of meetings and events to support external
liaison with stakeholders, such as, political parties, CSOs, media,
election observer groups; - Support the MEC in the development of
protocols and materials to coordinate, inform and manage international and
national election observer missions; - Advise and assist on the integration of gender
and vulnerable group issues into the MEC’s public information campaigns
and external liaison activities.
Provide
advice and expertise in the delivery of public information, campaigns and
outreach activities.
advice and expertise in the delivery of public information, campaigns and
outreach activities.
- Assist in the coordination of external
relations and outreach activities for elections; - Provide technical support for the development
of informational materials, such as, internal newsletters and fact sheets; - Monitor the implementation of the planned
outreach activities for elections, and advise on the possible solutions
and intervention areas in events of emerging challenges; - On a regular basis, evaluate the progress of
planned outreach activities and compile lessons learned for future
outreach activities; - Analyze, develop and draft briefing and issue
papers for public outreach activities and external liaison; - Prepare and deliver briefings and reports, as
required.
Transfer and
strengthen the technical skills and capacities of MEC in the areas of external
liaison and outreach activities.
strengthen the technical skills and capacities of MEC in the areas of external
liaison and outreach activities.
- Conduct a capacity analysis of MEC in the
areas of external liaison and outreach activities; - Provide day-to-day mentoring and advice to MEC
counterparts on external liaison and public outreach issues, and as
required, identify capacity development needs, recommend training needs to
fill gaps, and develop and deliver targeted training seminars to MEC staff
where necessary; - Ensure transfer of technical skills through
the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned
directly linked to elections activities; - Monitor practices, and project-specific news
and developments in order to ensure guidance to the MEC office that
reflects the best and most current available information; - Organization and provision of training,
mentoring and advice to MEC staff on communications, publications and
external liaison activities.
Facilitation
of knowledge building and knowledge sharing between MEC, UNDP and other
stakeholders.
of knowledge building and knowledge sharing between MEC, UNDP and other
stakeholders.
- Sound contributions to UNDP knowledge networks
and communities of practice including corporate communications
repositories; - Provide regular written reports on the status
of the basket fund; - Liaise with and maintain regular contact with
UNDP CO staff, Development Partners, and MEC staff; - Successes and best practices generated and
communicated with MEC, UNDP, and other key stakeholders with regard to
elections; - Providing specialist advice on a timely basis
to UNDP on significant policy measures; - Support the development guidelines and
methodologies for the dissemination of information to key stakeholders. - Promotion of South-South collaboration in
support for exchange of information and experience with other countries. - Facilitate and maintains strategic
partnerships for elections; - Development of partnerships for achieving the
expected outcomes and outputs of the approved elections project; - Facilitate the coordination of partnerships
with bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, private
sector, CSOs and other stakeholders; - Preparation of briefings on possible areas of
cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost-sharing; - Creating high-level advocacy on relevant
policies and programmes in relation to the elections.
Impact of
Results
Results
The impact
of results of this position is to strengthen the MEC’s capabilities to ensure
robust engagement with electoral stakeholders and to deliver and manage public
information campaigns in support of inaugural tripartite elections.
of results of this position is to strengthen the MEC’s capabilities to ensure
robust engagement with electoral stakeholders and to deliver and manage public
information campaigns in support of inaugural tripartite elections.
Competencies
Corporate
Competencies:
Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s
values and ethical standards; - Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic
goals of UNDP; - Displays cultural, gender, religion, race,
nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; - Sensitivity to local culture, customs and
traditions and excellent interpersonal skills.
Functional
Competencies
Competencies
Technical
Knowledge
Knowledge
- Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the
issues and challenges related to the external liaison and outreach for
elections; - Exhibits a good knowledge of institutional
development and capacity building issues; - Displays process, transparency and accountability
in the country; - Computer literacy.
Knowledge
Management and Learning
Management and Learning
- Shares knowledge and experience;
- 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
and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to mentor and transfer skills to MEC
staff; - Ability to undertake a variety of standard
tasks related to external liaison and public information campaigns; - Demonstrated knowledge of public information
campaigns, media management and external liaison; - Excellent knowledge of gender mainstreaming;
- Excellent writing and drafting skills.
Leadership
and Self-Management
and Self-Management
- Focuses on result for the client and responds
positively to feedback; - Consistently approaches work with energy and a
positive, constructive attitude; - Ability to effectively operate in
multi-cultural environment; - Remains calm, in control and good humored even
under pressure; - Focuses on the results of the team;
- Good communication skills.
Required
Skills and Experience
Skills and Experience
Education:
- A Master’s degree in Media or Communications
or relevant field is required.
Experience:
- At least 7 years of relevant experience at the
national or international level in media and communications; - Demonstrated experience in the management of
external liaison and networks, particularly for elections; - Working experience in developing countries,
and preferably in the SADC region is desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in English.
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.
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.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are required to follow the
link below to apply
link below to apply
Closing Date: Friday, 19 July 2013
