Regional Field Operations Specialist

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.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Under the overall supervision of UNESP Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor / Project Manager (DCEA), Senior Electoral Operations Specialist and direct supervision of the Field Operations Specialist. The International UNV (IUNV) – Regional Field Operations Specialist will be embedded with the Independent Election Commission (IEC), and will ensure effective operational support in the execution of services and processes in the interest of the IEC and UNESP. The International UNV Regional Field Operations Sepcialist will promote a client, quality and results-orientated approach, while undertaking the following tasks:

• Provides support and assistance in the daily operation of the IEC Provincial Offices;
• Support the IEC Field Operations department on best practices for managing a large-scale election operation in the field in an unsecure environment;
• Advise and assist the IEC to formulate and implement a systematic electoral cycle management framework at field level;
• Develop and advise on implementation strategies to strengthening coordination systems between IEC HQ and provincial offices;
• Advise the IEC on the formulation and implementation of appropriate security policies, guidelines, and measures, in liaison with relevant Afghan Security Agencies (ANSFs);
• Manage and support the Capacity Development of IEC Provincial Staff and ensure that their work is informed by and in sync with the IEC HQ Field Operations.

1. Provides support and assistance in the daily operation of IEC Provincial Offices.

• Supports and assists the day to day management of the IEC Provincial Offices in line with instructions, and operational needs as identified.
• Provides liaison between IEC HQ, UNESP HQ with the dessimination of information and operational instructions to IEC Provincial Offices.
• Coordinates with UN agencies and other international agencies/bodies, particularly UNAMA Central Region Office, at the regional and provincial level on electoral operational and administrative related matters.
• Coordinates security related issues with the UNESP Field Security Specialist to both IEC HQ and IEC Provincial Offices in support of the transmission of information and appropriate support actions.
• Works closely with the UNAMA Central Region office to be the link between UNDP / UNESP / UNAMA in operational and administrative related election activities and the sharing of information and reports vis-à-vis.

1. Support the IEC Field Operations department on best practices for managing a large-scale election operation in the field in an unsecure environment.

• Provides advice, assistance and support to the IEC Provincial Electoral Officers on all electoral, and where required, administrative matters.
• Provides timely advice to the IEC at Provincial level on key activities in the different phases of the election cycle events and operations: finalization of polling centers, movement plans, voting, counting and announcement of results and other related activities.

• Develops planning mechanisms with IEC counterparts for each phase of the electoral operation.

• Participates in Provincial planning and meetings on electoral operations and election security issues.

• Provide daily advice on reporting, data collection, quality control and the application of universal standards among provincial offices in the conduct of the election and election preparation.
• Advise on the management of the provision of training of IEC field management and staff using best field operation practices.

1. Advise and assist the IEC to formulate and implement a systematic electoral cycle management framework at field level.

• Consult with the IEC to review, prepare, and disseminate appropriate policies, procedures, and guidelines for different components of the operations plan at field level.
• Provide advisory support to enable IEC to strengthen its operational capacity and institutional preparedness for conduct of future election events by the field operations and provincial offices.

1. Develop and advise on implementation strategies to strengthening coordination systems between IEC HQ and provincial offices, including:

• Ensure that the Communication chain and procedures between the IEC HQ and Provincial offices is recognized and implemented on a daily basis.
• Ensure that Internal reporting mechanisms between IEC HQ and regional and provincial offices is adhered to at all times.
• Coordination and compilation of technical briefs and instructions for distribution to regional and provincial offices, while ensuring contribution from relevant parties.
• Overall coordination and information sharing within the IEC on field operations to ensure effective operations management and planning operations in the field.
• Development of programme and operational reporting frameworks from IEC provincial and regional units, to HQ, to ensure timely flow and documentation of on-going and completed activities, major developments and issues, as well as challenges for immediate management attention.

1. Advise the IEC on the formulation and implementation of appropriate security policies, guidelines, and measures, in liaison with relevant Afghan Security Agencies (ANSFs).

• Work and coordinate closely with the UNESP Senior Electoral Operations Specialist, Field Operations Specialist, and other UNESP Technical advisors and other relevant stakeholders on appropriate security plans, policies, guidelines and movement of materials and personnel during the electoral operations.
• Manage the liaison between UNESP and IEC on assessing and developing regional and provincial infrastructure as approved by the IEC.
• Advise and support the IEC on establishing and maintaining a sustainable field presence including, communications, facilities and overall long-term sustainability issues at provincial level as directed by IEC HQ.

1. Manage and support the Capacity Development of IEC Provincial Staff and ensure that their work is informed by and in sync with the IEC HQ Field Operations.

• Engages in capacity development of IEC National counterparts and fosters national ownership.
• Focuses on capacity building within the provincial IEC ofices in the conduct of all election cycle events and operations.
• Enhances the capacity of the IEC staff - with a view to significantly reducing reliance on international experts in administering future elections.
• Enhances the capacity of the IEC provincial offices to provide effective training/briefings to all IEC Operations Staff (including full-time and temporary).
• Champion gender mainstreaming within the IEC provincial level though the sensitization of the Provincial IEC staff on the IEC Gender Strategy.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• 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 IVD);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• 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.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

• University Master’s Degree preferably with a focus on preferably in the field of Management, Political Science, International Relations, Electoral Policy, Law, or other related fields, Bachelor’s Degree in the same fields is acceptable.

  • Minimum 7 years of experience (Bachelor’s Degree) or 5 years (Masters Degree) in field operations, project management in challenging environments, managing staff and operational systems.
  • Experienced in electoral operations and capacity development of electoral administration.
  • Practical experience in Elections is essential.
  • Knowledge of the UN system is desirable and familiarity with UNDP procedures is highly desirable.
  • Proven team building and leadership skills.
  • Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power-Point and Word.
  • Previous experience in Afghanistan an advantage; including knowledge of Afghanistan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context an advantage.

Required experience:

84 Months

Experience remark:

• Minimum 7 years of experience (Bachelor’s Degree) or 5 years (Masters Degree) in field operations, project management in challenging environments, managing staff and operational systems.
• Experienced in electoral operations and capacity development of electoral administration.
• Practical experience in Elections is essential.
• Knowledge of the UN system is desirable and familiarity with UNDP procedures is highly desirable.
• Proven team building and leadership skills.
• Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power-Point and Word.
• Previous experience in Afghanistan an advantage; including knowledge of Afghanistan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context an advantage.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise:

Emergency response, immediate relief operations, and post-conflict humanitarian aid operations

Area of expertise details:

• University Master’s Degree preferably with a focus on preferably in the field of Management, Political Science, International Relations, Electoral Policy, Law, or other related fields, Bachelor’s Degree in the same fields is acceptable.

• Minimum 7 years of experience (Bachelor’s Degree) or 5 years (Masters Degree) in field operations, project management in challenging environments, managing staff and operational systems.

• Experienced in electoral operations and capacity development of electoral administration.
• Practical experience in Elections is essential.
• Knowledge of the UN system is desirable and familiarity with UNDP procedures is highly desirable.
• Proven team building and leadership skills.
• Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power-Point and Word.
• Previous experience in Afghanistan an advantage; including knowledge of Afghanistan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context an advantage.

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Creativity, Leadership, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

First register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup.

Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

First update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile.

Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply.

Application deadline: 15 April 2021