Liaison and Coordination Expert

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations has been assisting Iraq with the establishment of the Electoral Management Body (initially Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, 2003, currently Independent High Electoral Commission), and the development of the institution’s capacities to administer electoral processes. Despite major military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in November 2017, the political and security environment in the country remains complex and unpredictable.

Regardless of the efforts on the development of technical capacities within IHEC over the years, the credibility of the institution has been decreasing, particularly after the 2018 legislative elections.

Since October 2019 the country has experienced major public unrest through continuous demonstrations and sit-ins in Baghdad and all over the country. Amongst demands for better delivery of public services, the protesters also claimed for change of government, and organization of early elections – elections to be held before the normally expected date, which would be the end of the current legislature, in May 2022.

On 5 December the Council of Representatives voted on a new Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) that provides for nine commissioners from the judiciary, who took office on 13 January 202. The United Nations Assistance Mission of Iraq (UNAMI), through its Office of Electoral Assistance (OEA) has since then, been working closely with the nine commissioners to enhance their understanding of the different electoral aspects.

The new law also provides for changes to the positions of Director – General, both in headquarters and governorates offices, which has a strong impact of the existing technical capacity of the institution. The upcoming elections in Iraq will be an important milestone for Iraq’s future progress, with the implementation of a credible and legitimate electoral process and outcome.

On 27 May 2021, upon the request by the Government of Iraq on 11 February 2021 for additional support, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution SCR 2576 (2021) extending the UNAMI mandate until 27 May 2022, calling UNAMI to:

• Provide a strengthened, robust and visible UN team to monitor Iraq’s election day;
• Launch a UN strategic messaging campaign to educate, inform and update Iraqi voters on election
• preparations.

The Liaison and Coordination Expert will work under the supervision of the Team Leader.

The position is located in the Office of Electoral Assistance in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), with duty station in Baghdad. The Liaison and Coordination Expert works closely with Iraqi counterparts of the IHEC and other Iraqi stakeholders, as well as UNAMI and other electoral advisors.

Functional Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Liaison and Coordination Expert will be responsible for the following duties:

Stakeholder Management, Coordination and Communication

• Liaise and coordinate with necessary UN Agencies, government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society organizations, in coordination with the Country Office.
• Develop a carefully coordinated internal communications strategy for the project team.
• Coordinate substantive administrative activities of the UN election watch team, providing substantive advice on the interpretation of policy guidelines and improving the reporting system.
• Anchor information-sharing and coordination with international stakeholders on electoral issues, including through organizing a periodic forum for information-sharing.
• Prepare background document, briefs and issues’ papers, progress reports for the project meetings and for donor reporting;
• Lead on project visibility activities for the communication of results.

Reporting and Proposal Development

• Monitors project activities, especially during peak times leading up to and immediately after events on implementation progress.
• Identify new approaches and modalities that are adaptable in order to achieve established targets.
• Ensure timely production and submission of all partial and/or progress reports by all members of the project team, contractors and project partners;
• Prepare project work plans and progress reports.
• Take the lead in the development, management and implementation of a reporting system that collects inputs from across the integrated UN electoral support team and channels them in an organized, regular fashion to identified end recipients.
• Draft reports or proposals on behalf of the project team for presentation to the IHEC and other relevant electoral stakeholders.
• Provide regular inputs to UNAMI reporting structures as required, ensuring inputs are submitted in an efficient and timely manner;

Personnel Management

• Lead and motivate the team members and national support staff.
• Develop a cultural awareness briefing for mission staff, taking into particular consideration host country specific sensitivities. In conjunction with the other experts, brief mission members about culturally sensitive issues and the appropriate behavior to be observed by all mission staff.
• Participate in watcher briefings, debriefings and team meetings.
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

The Team Leader and other members of the UN electoral watch office; senior staff and officers of electoral management bodies and other national institutions involved in the electoral process; other staff and officers working at UNAMI office in Baghdad. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Results Expected: - The support of the United Nations in the area of responsibility contributes to credible and inclusive elections, minimizing violence and maximizing the chances of legitimate government, peace and stability; - The United Nations mandated support in the area of responsibility is implemented effectively, using resources efficiently and minimizing risks to the organization; - The supervisor has access to accurate and timely information as well as advice on the electoral process and its implications; - The impact of results of this position is to strengthen the IHEC capabilities to ensure robust engagement with electoral stakeholders and to deliver and manage public information campaigns in support of the elections.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• University degree preferably in Media, Communication, Electoral Assistance, Political Science, International Relations, Law, Public Administration, or related field.
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• At least seven years relevant experience at the national or international level in political/international affairs, media and communications is required;
• Demonstrated experience in the management of external liaison, reporting and networks, particularly for elections is required;
• Relevant professional experience in the field of elections is a strong asset;
• Knowledge of UN rules, regulations, policies and procedures an asset;
• Working experience in developing countries, and preferably in the Middle East region is desirable;
• United Nations electoral experience in a peacekeeping operation, political mission and/or a UN agency or other relevant international electoral experience is required;
• Previous experience working with teams of different backgrounds is desirable.

Language - Fluency in English is required; Knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Baghdad is not a UN Family Duty Station.
• This vacancy is posted on behalf of UNAMI. The contract duration is 5 months.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractual Agreement (ICA) Contract level: I-ICA-3 Contract duration: 5 Months

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx