Electoral Advisor (Reporting)

Volunteering Legal Admin Elections & Governance

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. In its current context, the mission’s other task included support to the implementation of political agreement for peace and reconciliation negotiated in Khartoum and signed on 6 February 2019 between the Government and representatives of the 14 armed groups. According to United Nations Security Council Resolution S/RES/2448 (2018), the mission should also facilitate humanitarian assistance; promote and protect human rights; support justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Electoral Officer (Reporting) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitor developments related to the electoral process in the Central African Republic (CAR). • Collect data from various sources to support comprehensive analysis of the electoral process, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of all relevant information. • Contribute to the preparation of reports, including situation reports, status reports and contributions to reports of the Secretary General on the CAR, focusing on electoral developments and the United Nations' electoral assistance efforts. • Ensure data collection process for reporting against the established planning frameworks, including the Results-Based Budgeting (RBB), the Comprehensive Performance Assessment System (CPAS) and the Electoral Division’s Work Plan. • Emphasize the incorporation of gender mainstreaming and other cross-cutting issues into reporting activities. • Undertake other tasks as required. 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. 12. Results/expected outputs

As an active MINUSCA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to MINUSCA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including delivering: • Data sets on both the electoral processes and UN assistance. • Contributions to reports on the electoral process in CAR, including situation reports, status reports and contributions to reports of the Secretary General on the CAR. • Contributions to thematic analysis of key events and developments affecting the elections. • Contributions to gender mainstreaming reports highlighting the inclusion of gender perspectives in the electoral process. • Contributions to public information materials. • Contributions to Results-Based Budgeting (RBB) reports and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment System (CPAS) evaluations.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to MINUSCA technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to MINUSCA 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, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; 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; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and MINUSCA 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 MINUSCA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, e.g., Political Science, International Relations, Law, Public Administration, or a related field; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree • At least three (3) years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in elections, political analysis, or other relevant programmes; experience with data analysis and reporting is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations. • Fluent oral and written skills in either English or French, with proficiency in the other language. • 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. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.); familiarity with database management and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, with the ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Have affinity with or interest in the electoral process, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in particular in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried the country into a chaos.

Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.

This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN hospital built is operational since August 2014.

Staff in Bangui (MHQ) lives on local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to 2014 more accommodation is available but with high costs therefore sharing is recommended. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available but costlier than normal process. Also Level II Hospital run by military medical team is available next to the MHQ.

Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations to a 6 weeks frequency. Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.

14. Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers: A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The VLA is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,587 The VLA base rate is a global rate, while the PAM is country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website (http://icsc.un.org). For example, if the PAM for the current month in the country of assignment is 49.8%, then the VLA for that month and for that country will be US$ 1,587 + (1587x 49.8%) = US$ 2,377.32

Moreover, to complete the monthly VLA rate, a Family Allowance (FA) is added in function of the number of recognized dependents (or: in the amount of US$ 250 if the UN Volunteer has 1 recognized dependent, and US$ 450 if the UN Volunteer has 2 or more recognized dependents).

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Added 2 days ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: unv.org