Electoral Support Officer

Contract

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

UNDP’s work in the area of governance in Malawi contributes to the aim of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework [UNSDCF 2019-2023] through supporting governance institutions at all levels to harmonize policy, legal and organizational frameworks; strengthen data systems and oversight institutions for enhanced accountability; strengthen gender and human rights frameworks, institutional systems, civic engagement; and improve public participation in democratic processes.

While governance is pivotal to all other pillars of the UNSDCF, UNDP’s work focuses on contributing to the achievement of three outcomes: 1) Rights holders access more accountable and effective institutions at the central and decentralized levels that use quality disaggregated data, offer integrated service delivery and promote civic engagement, respect for human rights and rule of law; 2) Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls enhanced; and 3) Malawi has strengthened institutional capacities for sustaining peace, inclusive societies and participatory democracy.

The UNDP’s current Country Programme Document considers Good Governance as the core to ensuring poverty reduction and sustainable development. It looks at Governance as having a maximum multiplier effect on achieving the SDGs and a leverage point for development. Governance has also been one of the strategic pillars in the development agenda of Malawi’s government. The national development strategy considers governance to be the “the backbone for an efficient and effective public sector” and acknowledges the extent to which mind-set changes and behavioral shifts are needed to sustain profound transformations.

UNDP has recently developed a new Governance Portfolio around three main pillars: Pillar I – Effective, Accountable and Responsive Institutions; Pillar 2 – Civic Engagement and Empowerment; and Pillar 3 – Oversight, Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Pillar II – Citizen Engagement and Empowerment focuses on enhancing the capacity of civil society to represent and advocate for the rights of Malawian citizens; supporting democratic processes through elections and parliamentary support; and improving social cohesion through conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The Malawi Electoral Support Project and the Bwalo Lathu Parliamentary Support project contribute to this programmatic area.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief Technical Adviser, Elections or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Electoral Support Officer will:

Contribute to the timely implementation of elections and parliamentary support programming with UNDP and partners.

Effectively apply RBM tools, establish management targets (BSC) and monitor achievement of results.

Conduct M&E of the projects, identify operational and financial problems, develop solutions.

Draft donor reports and regular reports on activities, outputs and outcomes.

Identify areas for support and interventions within elections and parliamentary support.

Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues.

Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.

Contribute to policies and institutional support that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.

Develop communications materials concerning programming.

Develop and distribute contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice with particular attention to best practices published in social networks such as Teamworks, Fusion, Twitter etc.

Support the organization of trainings and knowledge sharing sessions for partners and UN staff on programme issues.

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors 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.

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 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’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

citizen engagement, outreach, institutional capacity assistance, or other relevant programmes.

Experience with electoral support or parliamentary support is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations.

Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, 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 MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Sound security awareness

Have affinity with or interest in citizen engagement, electoral and parliamentary support, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. However, the successful candidates will be supported with a monthly volunteer living allowance.