Location : Abuja,
NIGERIA
NIGERIA
Application Deadline : 28-Feb-13
Type of Contract : FTA International
Post Level : P-5
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract : Initial Duration of One Year
Background
Democratic governance is a concept that emerged
from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective
system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative,
equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent, accountable and
inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media; and a dynamic
civil society which is engaged in the political process. The overall goal of
the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD) in Nigeria is to help
develop the capacity of national and sub-national institutions, networks and
processes, whether governmental or non-governmental, as a contribution to the
further entrenchment of democratic governance in Nigeria.
from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective
system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative,
equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent, accountable and
inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media; and a dynamic
civil society which is engaged in the political process. The overall goal of
the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD) in Nigeria is to help
develop the capacity of national and sub-national institutions, networks and
processes, whether governmental or non-governmental, as a contribution to the
further entrenchment of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Efforts on the electoral cycle reinforce national
efforts to build the norms, practices, mechanisms and institutions that can
foster active citizenship and stronger democratic accountability, in keeping
with the stated objectives of Government policy. The project provides technical
assistance to the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral
Commission and State Independent Electoral Commissions. In addition, the
project works with civil society and other democratic institutions to help them
maximize public participation and confidence in the outcome of elections.
efforts to build the norms, practices, mechanisms and institutions that can
foster active citizenship and stronger democratic accountability, in keeping
with the stated objectives of Government policy. The project provides technical
assistance to the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral
Commission and State Independent Electoral Commissions. In addition, the
project works with civil society and other democratic institutions to help them
maximize public participation and confidence in the outcome of elections.
Work on broader issues of democratic governance
helps build the norms, practices and institutions that can underpin the
development of democratic governance in Nigeria over the medium- to long-term
whilst also supporting near-term action on pressing issues such constitutional
and electoral reform. The project, with the support made available through a
joint donor fund established to provide assistance to Nigerian democratic
institutions, primarily technical assistance and financing for capacity
development linked to practical outcomes in a number of areas: legislature,
election management bodies, political parties, civil society, media, gender
equality in politics.
helps build the norms, practices and institutions that can underpin the
development of democratic governance in Nigeria over the medium- to long-term
whilst also supporting near-term action on pressing issues such constitutional
and electoral reform. The project, with the support made available through a
joint donor fund established to provide assistance to Nigerian democratic
institutions, primarily technical assistance and financing for capacity
development linked to practical outcomes in a number of areas: legislature,
election management bodies, political parties, civil society, media, gender
equality in politics.
The contributors to the project are the European
Union, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), the Korean International Co-operation
Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A Project
Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.
Union, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), the Korean International Co-operation
Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A Project
Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.
Under the strategic direction of the Project
Director, and working in close coordination with UNDP’s Capacity for
Governance Team Leader and development partners, the Elections Advisor will
support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of
priorities, preparation of relevant documents and follow up support for
management and continued partnership development to the project on behalf of
UNDP.
Director, and working in close coordination with UNDP’s Capacity for
Governance Team Leader and development partners, the Elections Advisor will
support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of
priorities, preparation of relevant documents and follow up support for
management and continued partnership development to the project on behalf of
UNDP.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:
- Strategic advice on highly sensitive political
elections and democratization issues to top level policy and decision
makers, based on careful analysis and research; - Project team leadership as Deputy Project
Manager Programme Director; - Manage the project component targeting
electoral management bodies at federal and state levels and build
relationships accordingly, notably by chairing and leading the relevant
Sector Coordination Committee; - Coordination with other partners, forge
relationships, mobilize resources, liaise with UNDP New York and regional
capabilities; - Any other duties as assigned by the Project
Director
Strategic advice on highly sensitive political
elections and democratization issues to top level policy and decision makers,
based on careful analysis and research:
elections and democratization issues to top level policy and decision makers,
based on careful analysis and research:
- Provide advisory support to policy and
decision makers in UNDP, development partners and Government on critical
issues in the deepening of democracy and the electoral process; - For this purpose, prepare and present relevant
products (concept notes, issues papers, situation assessments) as well as
guide the design, execution, peer review and publication of policy
research and analysis on democratic governance issues which can turn the
project into the pre-eminent source of cutting-edge thinking and writing
on Nigeria’s political development. - In addition, provide overall strategic
operational advice and guidance on resource and management matters.
Project team leadership as Deputy Project Manager:
- Deputize for the Project Director in his/her
absence or as advised represent him/her at meetings and events; - Work in close collaboration with the Programme
Management Unit (PMU) the UNDP Country Office and other partners working
under the different pillars of the project. - Ensure coherence of the work of the technical
staff of the PMU and provide advice to the Project Director on this
matter.
Manage the project component targeting electoral
management bodies at federal and state levels and build relationships
accordingly, notably by chairing and leading the relevant Sector Coordination
Committee
management bodies at federal and state levels and build relationships
accordingly, notably by chairing and leading the relevant Sector Coordination
Committee
- Analyse broader democratic governance and
electoral issues and trends in the country and advise the project and the
partners accordingly. - Provide support to the Nigeria election
management bodies and donor partners in the preparations and conduct of
elections as relevant to program activities. - Provide technical electoral advice to the
election management bodies and other implementing agents in the design,
preparation, implementation and coordination of the joint programme
supported activities to ensure its efficient and effective contribution to
the successful conduct of the elections, including operational planning
for each one of the electoral phases as required by the EMB. - Monitor and implement joint programme
activities through regular interaction with the election management
bodies. - Attend monthly meetings in the donor group by
briefing the group on the progress on electoral assistance. - Provide substantive input, derived from best
practices, in the strategic direction of the work of the steering
committee.
Provide timely reports on programmes to the
steering committee on progress
steering committee on progress
- Coordination with other partners, forge
relationships, mobilize resources, liaise with UNDP New York and regional
capabilities; - Develop and nurture broader partnerships in
the areas of democratic governance and elections, communicate and advocate
the international partners’ positions and engage with Nigerian partners
accordingly. - Build and maintain strong cooperative
relationships with relevant local networks and contacts, including partner
organisations, stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s
values and ethical standards; - Promotes the shared vision, mission and
strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative; - Displays strong cultural, gender, religion,
race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; - Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Proven competence in the field of democratic
governance, well-informed on both electoral and broader democratic
governance issues such as legislative development, the role and potential
of mass and community media, civil society in emerging democratic
societies, and the participation and role of women in politics. - Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors
within the project, although possibly more knowledgeable and experienced
in some areas. - S/he should have a strong grasp of the
strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues involved in capacity development
in the area of democratic governance; - Ability to appreciate and respond productively
to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in a politically
challenging environment. - Ability to maintain calm and poise in high
pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in
mediation and consensus-building; - Solid academic background and demonstrated
abilities in analysis of complex political situations and providing
strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment; - Proven managerial experience in an
international context and ability to lead teams. - Proven ability to make sound decisions in
delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance between a focus on
detail and keeping an eye on the big picture. Consistently approaches work
with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; - Strong inter-personal communications and
diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen, understand and respond
effectively to different and divergent points of view expressed by a wide
range of stakeholders. - Ability to build strong relationships with
clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds
positively to feedback; - Ability to establish priorities and to plan,
coordinate and monitor work plans. - Proven ability to work under pressure and
produce output that is accurate, timely and of high quality. Ability to
manage conflicting priorities; - Ability to understand and apply tools such as
the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s RBM and
PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management. Ability to
support and provide oversight to strategic planning, results-based
management and reporting; - Resourcefulness, good interpersonal skills and
ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with
sensitivity and respect for diversity. - Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain
effective work relationships with and between different levels and types
of project personnel and counterparts.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD)
related to democratic governance and development, such as political
science, economics and other social sciences.
Experience:
- Progressively responsible work experience of
at least 10 years in democratic governance, including at least 7 years in
electoral issues, dealing with: (a) electoral advisory work in different
operational matters; (b) policy dialogue and advisory work; (c) leadership
and management of research and analysis; (d) design and execution of capacity
development programmes; (e) project management, including the leadership
of multi-disciplinary expert teams, preferably funded by development
partners (UN or other); and (f) promotion of stakeholder/community
awareness of and participation in democratic governance. - A good understanding of the social, economic,
political and historical trends underpinning African and, ideally,
Nigerian governance and electoral processes. - Skills in training, process facilitation,
strategic planning, and partnership-building. - Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs,
analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice
in democratic governance. - Excellent PC user skills: word processing,
spreadsheets, databases and web-based research. - Ability to travel within Nigeria and overseas.
Language Requirements:
- Strong skills in written communications in
English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports. - Excellent spoken English is also required.
FC: 30079
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.
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.
Closing Date: Thursday, 28 February 2013
