Civic and Voter Awareness Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

The UNDP “Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project” (SECSIP) supports the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission and other national institutions providing technical assistance through the electoral cycle (pre-election; elections/polling and post-election) for the conducting inclusive and credible electoral processes. SECSIP phase 1 was implemented from July 2013 until June 2017. A second three-year project was rolled out in July 2017. The project is now transitioning to its third phase expected to end in December 2024.

SECSIP is funded by the Government of Australia and UNDP. The project aims to continue building synergies and strategic partnerships with a range of national stakeholders from government and civil society to ensure that an enabling environment for credible and inclusive elections is created. The overarching objective is to strengthen the link between the electoral cycle and other key governance processes and institutions contributing to social cohesion and the development of a pluralistic society.

This UNV assignment is part of SECSIP third phase. SECSIP III will focus on enhancing inclusive, informed and transparent electoral processes through accountable and effective institutions. SECSIP assistance will also contribute to enhancing and expanding social inclusion, particularly of disadvantaged segments of the population including women, young people and people with disabilities (PWD). The Project will work towards achieving the overarching outcome of ‘more sustainable and inclusive electoral institutions and practices in support of democratic governance in Solomon Islands’ through the four following outputs:

Output 1: Institutional and Operational Capacities of the Electoral Authorities Strengthened

Output 2: Capacity of national authorities and local networks to provide voter information and awareness and to encourage civic engagement strengthened

Output 3: Legal Electoral Framework Improved

Output 4: Women’s Political Participation Strengthened

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNDP SECSIP Chief Technical Adviser or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Civic and Voter Awareness Assistant will:

1. In compliance with UNDP Rules, Regulations and policies, the incumbent will be part of SECSIP Graduate Programme. For this assignment, the incumbent will be co-located at the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO). The incumbent general duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Assist in the identification of awareness needs, planning and development of contents related to the mandate of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and its Electoral Office.
• Identify and plan awareness raising activities to enhance the general knowledge of the role of the SIEC and SIEO;
• Liaise and coordinate with other stakeholders as guided by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and SIEO Communications and Awareness Senior Officer;
• Provide a monthly report on the activities carried out in support of the mandates of SIEC and SIEO and UNDP SECSIP project implementation;
• Any other task as identified by SECSIP Project Manager and by the CEO and SIEO Communication and Awareness Senior Officer in consultation with UNDP Project Management.

2. Specific tasks in support of the SIEO expected to be performed under this assignment include:

- Support SIEO Communication and Awareness Team coordination of civic and voter education outreach programs; contribute to the elaboration of awareness and civic engagement activity plans and the production of related documentation; - Assist in development of key messages, provision of contents including texts, scripts and suggestions for illustrations, video and audio productions for civic and voter education and training materials. This can include manuals, guides, brochures, leaflets, posters, videos, radio spots. - Assist in procurement, production and dissemination of civic and voter awareness materials - Support the SIEO communication and awareness team with the preparation and effective implementation of consultations, training sessions, workshops in accordance with the approved plans. This may include facilitation of training sessions for civic and voter education teams, conduct training workshops for election officials and other stakeholders; - Assist in the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools to measure impact and progress as a result of the activities implemented. - Assist in the implementation of SIEO strategies and activities related to communication and awareness pertaining to voter registration, national general election, provincial assembly elections and by-elections. - Perform other tasks as requested by UNDP SECSIP in consultation with Solomon Islands Electoral Office Communication and Awareness Senior Officer.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);

· Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

· Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

· Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc;

· Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

· Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

· Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

· Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

· Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

· Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

· Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

· Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

· Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

public service, media or education sectors will be considered an asset. - Experience working in the UN or other international development organization will be considered an asset. - Good oral and written skills for drafting and reporting; ability to support document production and editing. - Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including at grassroot level with community members, religious and youth organizations, and with public authorities; familiarity with tools and communication approaches for development. - Ability to work and adapt professionally in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. - Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet. - Self-motivated; ability to work with tight deadlines. - Sound security awareness. - Have affinity with or interest in democratic governance, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

With a population of approximately 550,000, the Solomon Islands has hundreds of islands and rural villages. Between 1999 and 2003, it experienced a period of conflict that took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for peace and continued security. Approximately 70 percent of Solomon Islands; exports are forestry products, and the logging industry accounts for 10 percent of its revenue.Health facilities are very basic in Solomon Islands. The government provides free basic healthcare as well as a number of medical clinics and hospitals.The Medical History Card is a document. Permanent residents of Solomon Islands can obtain one at any medical centre. It contains details of the treatments you have received in Solomon Islands for future treatment. Solomon Islands driving licenses are required for driving. More information can be found on the Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury website.