Elections Programme Analyst

Volunteering Elections & Governance Legal

Overview

Provide programmatic and technical support to the Africa Elections Fund.

You have:

• Master + 3 years of experience or Bachelor + 5 years of relevant experience in elections, governance, and project management.
• Sound knowledge of elections and governance issues.
• Knowledge of project management in the area of elections and governance.
• Knowledge of the political and institutional context of elections in Africa.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in conducting research.
• Experience in resource mobilization and partnership building.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
• Self-motivated; ability to work with minimum supervision and under tight deadlines.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Elections are essential for democratic consolidation, accountable governance and preventing conflict when conducted credibly and transparently. However, in Africa technical shortcomings, weak institutions, political challenges, and low inclusivity can erode trust, heighten tensions, and risk escalating conflicts, particularly in polarized societies. In a bid to address these challenges, the UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa (RSCA) in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) launched a four-year Africa Elections Fund (AEF) which commenced from 1 January 2026- 31 December 2029. The AEF is an innovative instrument with the objective of promoting inclusive and peaceful electoral processes in Africa through complementary continental and national level interventions. The four-year project builds upon the Inception Phase implemented in 2023 in partnership with GFFO and in close collaboration with the African Union Commission. The pilot phase confirmed the relevance of such efforts and provided a number of lessons learned applied in development of this project document. The AEF rationale, piloted in 2023, confirmed the appropriateness of a regional approach, coupled with national efforts, implemented on needs basis. The AEF's regional approach to electoral support is a unique and valuable innovation that fosters inclusivity and legitimacy by engaging multiple stakeholders— continental and regional institutions, EMBs, civil society, and other stakeholders in electoral processes including women’s organizations and gender-equality advocates to ensure women’s voices shape electoral reforms and processes. Flexibility in adapting to country-specific needs and challenges, following regional interventions and peer exchanges, is expected to enhance practical learning and local relevance.

The UNDP RSCA is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and provides programmatic support to country offices in electoral assistance as well as initiates regional peer-learning in close collaboration with the AU and Regional Economic Communities. The AEF is situated within the UNDP RSCA Governance and Peacebuilding Team. The AEF is in alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029 Outcome 2 on Effective Governance: Strengthening inclusive, accountable institutions, justice systems, and citizen participation. The AEF is also anchored within the UNDP Regional Programme for Africa 2026-2029 priorities, particularly on Governance which envisions that, by 2029, governance systems are more effective, inclusive and accountable, enabling people, societies and economies to thrive.

In order to ensure effective implementation of the AEF, UNDP RSCA seeks to recruit an International UN Volunteer Specialist to provide programmatic and technical support to the Fund. The UNV Elections Programme Analyst will be located within the Governance and Peacebuilding Team of the UNDP RSCA

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Electoral Advisor, the UN Volunteer Elections Programme Analyst will undertake and contribute to the following tasks:

I. Project management of Africa Elections Fund:

• Provide support to the planning and implementation of regional activities of the Fund • Provide programmatic support to electoral projects in the country offices • Identify entry points for collaboration with other initiatives within the Governance and Peace-building programmes of the United Nations Development Programme Regional Service Centre for Africa (UNDP RSCA ) • Promote gender mainstreaming as well as inclusion of marginalized groups in electoral processes in all activities under the Fund • Support programmatic monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

II. Development of mechanisms, tools, and policies relating to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP ) electoral assistance in Africa:

• Support in organizing regional peer-learning initiatives on elections • Conduct research to support analytical studies on emerging themes on elections, governance, and peacebuilding in Africa • Support the generation and dissemination of lessons learned from elections programmes and research

III. Management of partnerships and resource mobilization relating to elections, governance, and peacebuilding support in Africa:

• Draft reports, briefs, and notes, including on promising practices and lessons learned directly linked to elections, governance, and peacebuilding initiatives, projects, and programmes for partnerships and resource mobilization. • Be responsible for management of the database for partners and UNDP Chief Electoral Advisors. • Ensure regular communication with the Country Offices as well as the African Union Commission (AUC ) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)

• Accountability
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Creativity
• Empowering Others
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

• Master + 3 years of experience or Bachelor + 5 years of relevant experience in elections, governance, and project management. • Sound knowledge of elections and governance issues. • Knowledge of project management in the area of elections and governance. • Knowledge of the political and institutional context of elections in Africa. • Demonstrated knowledge and skills in conducting research. • Experience in resource mobilization and partnership building. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively 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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated; ability to work with minimum supervision and under tight deadlines. • Previous experience working on development at bilateral and/or multilateral levels is an asset. • Affinity with or interest in peace, development, and volunteerism as mechanisms for durable development, and the UN system.

Addis Ababa is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The population is esti-mated at about 4 million or so and located in the Ethiopian highlands at an altitude of 2,500-2,700 meters. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold at night, with freezing temperature at times. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and/or log fires when necessary. Addis Ababa is the headquarters for the UN Economic Commission for Africa as well as the African Union (ex-OAU). Thus, there is a very large community of expatriates from all over the world. There are some 80 embassies/diplomatic missions. Housing is most of the time readily available and the rents are, on average, reasonable. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture and clothing, mostly imported from the Middle/Far East, South Africa and Europe, or local brands, can be found, although they can be expensive. Meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables are cheap and abundantly available.

The basic infrastructures - roads, utilities, and telecommunications - are below standard, as are medi-cal facilities, which are still largely inadequate, although a few private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. There are lots of tourist attractions to visit around the country, alt-hough the amenities are often poor to average. Several restaurants around the city serve local or in-ternational cuisine and there are numerous social and cultural events throughout the year organized by the international and local communities. Sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) exist in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: unv.org