Chief Technical Advisor – Support to the Gambia Electoral Cycle and Democratic Process

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR) and working closely with Deputy Resident Representative (DRR). The Chief Technical Advisor’s (CTA) prime responsibility will be to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The CTA will be responsible for the day-to-day management and decision-making for the project, within the framework and constraints set out by the Project Steering and Technical Committees.

The CTA will possess professional expertise across the areas of electoral assistance, project management, inclusive participation, and stakeholder engagement. He/she will advise the IEC Board of Commissioners and Secretariat on strategic issues, based on comparative analysis, international experience, and best practice on electoral processes, as well as on institutional management systems and reform. The CTA will also support staff of the PMU and provide technical guidance to facilitate the timely resourcing of activities that meet with agreed priorities. The CTA will report directly to the UNDP Resident Representative and will collaborate closely with the Deputy Resident Representative, responsible of Programme and Operations.

Summary of the main functions:

• Provide expert electoral advice and high-level technical support to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and UNDP;
• Lead project management, providing quality assurance, oversight, monitoring and evaluation.
• Facilitate donor coordination, partnership management, and resource mobilization; and
• Support capacity and knowledge development of national counterparts.

1. Assess the overall situation and provide expert electoral advice and high-level technical support to IEC and UNDP focusing on achieving the following results:

• Stimulate strategic thinking in electoral management and processes and bring best practices on electoral management in fulfilling aspiration of the IEC Strategic Plan and the Elections Operation Plan;
• Provide technical advice to the IEC and other partners to help meet the needs of a free and fair elections.
• Advise IEC and UNDP on all aspects of sound electoral cycle management practices and point out areas for further strengthening.
• Provide substantive leadership in managing issues related to electoral administration and processes.
• Ensure highest standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of training, and delivery of outputs.
• In conjunction with other UNWomen and relevant agencies, identify strategic entry points for gender mainstreaming in the work of the IEC and for the empowerment of women and other marginalized groups in political processes.
• Assess the technical substance, policies and strategies on elections and advises on the design, organization, and implementation of project activities.
• Coordinate the conduct of any studies/reviews/analysis on conflict, gender, human rights, and other dimensions related to elections and their discussions with IEC and UNDP; and

Support engagement of the IEC with national and international partner organizations, including UN agencies, to strengthen project implementation.

2. Lead project management, providing quality assurance, oversight, monitoring and evaluation focusing on achieving the following results:

• Assist the IEC in ensuring the technical soundness of project activities and coherence of interventions.
• Provide substantive advisory inputs, as requested by the IEC and UNDP in relation to project objectives.
• Lead with written inputs in the project planning process, such as AWP/QWPs (including procurement, M&E plans, risk and issue logs), draft project-related strategy papers, new project concepts; ensure implementation of activities, provide inputs to budget formulation as requested, ensure cross cutting issues are well reflected;
• Advice on the implementation of the results-monitoring system of the projects such as formulation of annual targets, analysis, and interpretation of data (qualitative and quantitative). Formulate inputs to results-reports and other periodic reports.
• Advice IEC on strengthening M&E systems as defined in the strategic plan of the organization.
• Lead in planning of periodic project reviews, assessments, and evaluations.
• Lead in drafting and delivery of periodic quality project reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned, and good practices strengthen the Gambia electoral system, to UNDP, IEC and donor partners to as required
• Ensure compliance with UNDP policies, rules, and procedures in the technical and operational management of the elections project including appropriate advice to the IEC in this regard.
• Contribute to enhancing project performance by proposing alternative and/or new approaches towards achievement of project results.
• Support in organizing project level technical working groups and coordination meetings. Draft substantive and technical inputs prepare presentations and contribute to discussions.
• Support Communication with project partners and donors to explain and clarify technical, management and substantive issues.
• Guide on coherence of interventions to ensure technical soundness of project activities; and

Reviews Terms of Reference for specific activities as directed and assist in the identification of short-term experts.

3. Facilitate donor coordination, partnership management, and resource mobilization focusing on achieving the following results:

• Assist the IEC in establishing, developing, and maintaining mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with Development Partners and other stakeholders in electoral processes in accordance with the vision expressed in the strategic plan and the Elections Operations Plan.
• Review and/or design a project partnership and resource mobilization strategy and options for fundraising.
• Play a key role in mobilizing and realizing South-South cooperation with key institutions to help implement best practices on elections management to facilitate achievement project results.
• Help set up a framework to foster and monitor partnership around the project and to realize the objectives
• Support the IEC in managing information related to partnership activities and overall communication strategy of the IEC on the electoral cycle
• Monitor and assess trends and activities which might affect the political situation and pose a risk to peaceful and credible elections.
• Advise on potential risks and mitigation tools to diminish any risk factors; and
• Build credible working relations with electoral assistance providers including civil society, donors, development partners; and

Coordinate with donors to better integrate UNDP's and others' interventions to avoid duplication of assistance.

4. Support capacity and knowledge development of national counterparts focusing on achieving the following results:

• Play a leading role in the development and implementation of a capacity development strategy for the project that identifies priorities, needs and interventions to address those needs within the IEC;
• Provide support to the IEC in ensuring the sustainability of project management capacities and in building sustainability into project activities from the outset.
• Provide technical advice to enhance the capacity of IEC directorates in their role of managing free and fair elections.
• Contribute to development of effective materials and training for the IEC;
• Advice on development of strategies and contribute to capacity building efforts for the IEC, media, and other elections stakeholders.
• In coordination with the IEC, provide guidance to national and international short-term experts/consultants.
• Promote the adoption of suitable knowledge management approaches as relating to project activities and in support of IEC strengthening.
• Support the IEC in the internal and external communication efforts and the dissemination of information around project objectives and activities.
• Supports the project and UNDP in communicating to its stakeholder including development partners on all aspects of project implementation.
• Function as a mentor and coach to staff as may be observed and requested in support of achievement of project results.
• Participate in and contribute to global UNDP knowledge networks on electoral assistance; and

Ensure the application of relevant global good practices and actively search for solutions that can benefit The Gambian’s electoral processes.

5. Perform other tasks that may be required

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 6: Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office / programme / division

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 7: Reconciles contrasting positions and ambiguous circumstances by communicating a clear path for resolution and progress

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 6: Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services

Technical/Functional

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Competency Name

Knowledge and expertise

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Competency Name

Significant experience in providing practical advice to policy makers

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Competency Name

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Competency Name

Strong intellectual and Operational capacity

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Competency Name

Demonstrated ability to multitask under pressure

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Competency Name

Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in teams

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Education:

At least a master’s degree in either of the following areas: Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, Development Studies, international relations, public policy and administration, or another relevant field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in democratic governance with emphasis on electoral conflict management, electoral assistance, ICT deployment in elections and working with CSOs.
• Experience in providing electoral assistance advisory services and project management at the international level (with the United Nations System a strong asset),
• Previous work experience as Elections Advisor and related to the Gambia is an asset,
• Good knowledge of the political environment, administration of developing countries.
• Good knowledge on Electoral administration in developing countries.

Skills:

• Knowledgeable of different tasks relating to the electoral process.
• Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.
• Ability to produce reports and high-level political analysis.
• Capacity to dialogue with electoral and high-level political actors as well as donors from the international community.
• Previous experience in the framework of multi donor projects is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English

Other:

• Demonstrated experience working with an electoral management body or equivalent, or with a body that provides technical assistance around electoral design, management and operations.
• Strong hands on advisory, strategic, operation planning and implementation of field activities in electoral processes such as voter registration and elections.
• Experience in elections management and coordination, institutional analysis and design, development planning, programme design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of electoral programmes.
• Experience working in countries which are politically polarized, and which require strong experience in electoral work in a highly politically sensitive environment.
• Knowledge of sound electoral practices and the ability to advise on options.
• Experience in engaging with Government at senior level on policy issues.
• Sound knowledge of organizational management, asset management, information and communication technology, administration, financial and human resources management, preferably with the UN/UNDP.
• Advanced computer skills and knowledge of office software packages essential, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Experience working with project teams and knowledge of project cycle management.
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating and sustaining working relationships with diverse stakeholders including government, civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Experience working in a decentralization environment and understanding of local governance in a developing country context.
•  Understanding of discourses on justice and security sector development, state building and stabilization, peacebuilding, governance and of the international policy environment in which these issues are addressed may be an added advantage.

• Experience working with the UN or other multilateral agencies is an added advantage;