Electoral Community Mobilizer

Contract

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

The Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) implements innovative approaches to bring about meaningful advancements in electoral assistance in Liberia. With a focus on promoting national ownership and advancing peaceful, credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral processes, the project's strategy revolves around a work plan that emphasizes inclusion, transparency, integrity, capacity building, and peace programming. The Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), launched in September 2020, is the third electoral cycle support project and will run until July 2024. Managed by UNDP, LESP aims to strengthen electoral institutions and processes in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 - Strong, peaceful, and just institutions.

Effective civic and voter education (CVE) is crucial for informing voters about their rights and promoting inclusivity, transparency, and credibility in the electoral process. LESP's Output 1 focuses on supporting grassroots CVE programs that target all populations, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities.

The upcoming general elections in October 2023 require an enhanced and strategic approach to CVE, early warning, and response (EWER) to ensure increased citizen participation and peaceful electoral process. The engagement of volunteers will also support innovative approach and evidence-based salutation to professional conduct of electoral process and strengthen decentralization of electoral assistance to enhance NEC capacity in the field (as envisaged in the LESP guiding document and strategy).

Due strengthen the electoral capacity throughout the country, UNDP is seeking a qualified Regional Coordinator (National UNV) to provide technical and advisory support to the NEC, local authorities, and electoral stakeholders in the field.

Under the overall guidance of the Chief Electoral Adviser and supervision by Project Officer, the Community Mobilizer will be based in Brewerville, Montserrado County and will report to Electoral Regional Coordinators and perform the following duties:

• Support public awareness to increase understanding of the importance of elections at the community level, throughout communities by collaborating with local partners to identify priority areas and develop action plans. • Support and the work of the National Elections Commission’s (NEC) CVE cells in effectively carrying out their activities; and daily monitor their activities. • Encourage and support active CVE participation among Liberians by promoting community engagement and outreach efforts. • Support and monitor the work of Early Warning and Response Monitors in the field. • Support NEC magisterial offices in implementing innovative approaches in the field, such as observer accreditation software, field coordination application, etc. • Monitor and support the operational aspects of electoral activities, including the trainings of temporary staff, training of party agents, setup of polling stations, amongst others, within the assigned duty station. • Assist NEC, if needed, in receiving and distributing relevant documents and materials. • Perform any other related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor.

• Professionalism:Demonstrated understanding of UNDP operations; technical capabilities or knowledge applicable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact when dealing with clients; good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with various stakeholders, especially in senior positions; when appropriate, a high level of autonomy, personal initiative, and ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to assume broad responsibilities; ability to work independently within established procedures; objective, accurate, and confidential management of information; responsiveness and client orientation. Manage information objectively, accurately, and confidentially, responsive and client oriented. • Integrity: Demonstrates the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors; acts without personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; stands by decisions in the organization's interest, even if unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: Teamwork and respect for diversity: Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; establishes and maintains partnerships and harmonious working relationships in a multicultural, diverse environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; adaptable to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to gender equality and ensuring equal participation of women and men in 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: Strong interpersonal skills; clear and concise spoken and written communication; prepares reports effectively; delivers presentations, articulates options and positions concisely; makes and defends recommendations; communicates and empathizes with staff, military personnel, volunteers, counterparts, and diverse local interlocutors; effectively transfers information and knowledge to different target groups. • Flexibility: Adaptable and able to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions with physical hardship and minimal comfort; operates independently in challenging environments for extended periods; willingness to travel within the operational area and relocate to other duty stations if necessary. • Genuine commitment: To the principles of voluntary engagement, including solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; commitment to UNDP’'s mission, vision, and the UN core values.

• Secondary education or equivalent; a college degree is advantageous but not required. • Community development and social mobilization skills related to elections. • BE A RESIDENT OF BREWERVILLE, MONTSERRADO COUNTY • Previous work in electoral process will be preferred. • Experience in voluntary service, community involvement, and awareness raising is an asset. • Good communication skills for community participation is required. • Computing skills, particularly MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.), email, and internet usage is required. • MUST BE A RESIDENT OF THE DUTY STATION—THIS WILL BE CROSS-CHECKED AND CONFIRMED
• Knowledge of a local language specific to the assignment area is beneficial.

Liberia has been relatively peaceful since the withdrawal of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). In 2017, a major political transition took place, transferring political power from one elected government to another. However, the economy is struggling, and the cost of living remains high. Inflation is also a concern, with an exchange rate of 1 US dollar to 170 Liberian dollars. Currently, the country is experiencing heavy rainfall. Local markets and supermarkets in Monrovia and surrounding areas offer food supplies. There are both public and private medical facilities available. Several banks operate primarily in Monrovia. Communication infrastructure is in place, with two main providers offering internet services. While uninterrupted service is available in Monrovia and county capitals, some remote communities and areas outside these cities may experience interruptions or poor network coverage. Liberia is known for its hospitality and open culture that welcomes people from all backgrounds. The country offers an interesting and peaceful environment, but it also requires a mature level of security awareness, particularly due to cases of street robbery and other theft incidents