Region: Stockholm
Application deadline: 31 March 2015
Expected Start Date: 1 August 2015
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Home page: http://www.idea.int
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.
International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Programme Officer - Electoral Processes
Context
International IDEA’s electoral programming has earned a globally respected reputation. The bedrock of this reputation rests on the development and wide dissemination of comparative knowledge and analysis relating to major aspects of electoral processes.
The institutional Strategy 2012-2017 commits International IDEA to:
- Continue to develop cutting-edge knowledge, to share that knowledge globally and to facilitate its adaption and use at country level;
- Support the strengthening and independence of national and regional actors involved in the organization, management and support of electoral processes;
- Foster the adoption by these actors of approaches and policies which would enhance the fairness, effectiveness, credibility and sustainability of electoral processes;
- Lead international efforts to build political commitment to elevate the importance of elections on the international agenda and to strengthen and protect the integrity of electoral processes.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Designs and implements projects within the Electoral Processes Programme in particular related to electoral justice and electoral legal frameworks;
- Provides upon request advisory services on electoral processes, in particular on legal issues;
- Provides support to all Electoral Processes activities by proposing and conducting relevant research and analysis on legal issues related to elections;
- Represents Electoral Processes Programme at thematic conferences and events and through collaboration with peer organizations as requested by the SeniorProgramme Manager;
- Conducts workshops and consultative meetings for target audiences as a form of dissemination and application of IDEA’s knowledge resources;
- Actively pursues fundraising opportunities;
- Provides inputs towards planning and budgeting;
- Performs any other task assigned by the Senior Programme Manager or any other person designated by her.
- Collaborates with Democracy Conflicts and Security, Democracy and Diversity and Democracy and Gender colleagues ensuring that gender, conflict and security and diversity perspectives are included in all aspects of work performed.
General Profile
- Requires in-depth knowledge, excellent skills and relevant experience in law;
- Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Electoral Processes;
- Proven ability to design and execute research projects;
- Has excellent analytical and drafting skills;
- Will contribute significantly to assigned projects all along the project life cycle, i.e. from project design and funding to project assessment;
- Has contributed to publications on the relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
- Will lead meetings and discussions in his/her field of expertise, supervise publications and review input from external providers;
- Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication;
- Can work with minimal guidance and supervision;
- Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
- Acts as a model or mentor for less experienced colleagues;
- Can be expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
- Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
- Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.
Reporting Line
- Senior Programme Manager Electoral Processes.
Programmatic Knowledge
- Has in-depth knowledge in electoral law, international law and human rights and good understanding of related disciplines to be able to approach programmatic issues in a holistic manner.
- Operational Knowledge and skills
- Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;
- Has a good understanding of relevant programmatic issues in the key geographical zone where his/her work is implemented – which may imply field experience at some point;
- Contributes to the research of information on donors and partners, preparation of reports and project briefs, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, and all other activities related to resource mobilization and partnership building;
- Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management in past experiences.
Leadership
- Close collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager and other members of the team to ensure the effective implementation of the programme;
- Supervises temporary staff, consultants and/or interns and acts on behalf of the Senior Programme Manager in her absence if requested;
- In accordance with the duties and responsibilities, collaborate with partner organisations and external consultants to ensure high value in creating outputs and meeting objectives;
- Coordinate and collaborate within International IDEA headquarters and its regional offices;
- Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment;
- Acts as a model and resource for more junior colleagues.
Problem Solving
- Identifies and resolves complex problems; approaches issues with new perspectives; analyses situations from a multitude of intervening factors.
Impact
- Has a clear impact on the programme development and delivery;
- Can also impact other teams and projects in related fields.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Liaises to all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her project; acts and is perceived as an initiator of relevant communication to solve issues;
- Drives projects and assignments through communicative personal energy and engagement;
- Can explain sensitive information with diplomacy, and build consensus.
- Supports collaboration by looking at synergies in areas of work both at HQ, the regional programmes and externally with partners;
Education and Experience
- University degree in Law;
- At least 5 years of international experience supporting electoral institutions and processes (e.g. Electoral Management Bodies, electoral observation, support to civil society or political parties);
- Fluent written and oral English and Spanish. A working level of French and/or Arabic would be an added advantage.
Terms of Contract:
Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment. Salary entry point EUR 4 745 net, per month.
Deadline for Applications:
Applications should be submitted online no later than 31 March 2015
International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.
To apply, please visit: http://idea.easycruit.com/vacancy/1353871/25038?iso=gb
