UNDP, Electoral Project Manager, Deadline May 24, 2010.

Electoral Project Manager

Location :Dili, Timor Leste
Application Deadline :24-May-10
Additional Category: Democratic Governance
Type of Contract : FTA International
Languages Required : English 
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)01-Jul-2010
Duration of Initial Contract :1 year extendable
Expected Duration of Assignment :2 years

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Background

Timor-Leste held national presidential and legislative elections in 2007 and community elections in 2009, organized voter registration in 2008 and 2009 and will hold municipal and national elections in 2010-2012. The elections are administered by the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) and supervised by the National Electoral Commission (CNE). The three national electoral processes, presidential (2 rounds) and parliamentarian, and the community elections were considered by the stakeholders to have been free, fair and in line with international standards and national laws. The national electoral bodies were supported by technical assistance made available by the UNDP Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle project and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT).

In view of the need to strengthen the human and institutional capacity of the national electoral management bodies and the political parties, this project was revised for its second phase to provide longer-term support using an Electoral Cycle Approach. The second phase of the project 2008/2012 works with the electoral institutions (CNE and STAE) and political parties to build capacities, and provides support on issues related to legal reform and civic/voter education to ensure open and participative electoral processes. During 2010 the electoral cycle is focus in the voter registration process, revision of the electoral legislation, capacity building for STAE, CNE and political parties and preparation and planning for future elections.

Under the supervision of the Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle Chief Technical Adviser, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring high quality administrative and financial support to the project. S/he also supports task related to advocacy programming, monitoring and evaluation. S/he ensures continuity of work in the absence of the CTA. In addition, the s/he will ensure, together with the CTA that the activities contained in the annual work-plan are fulfilled and the set outcomes are met.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Ensures strategic direction of project operations.
• Under the coordination of the CTA, ensures human resources management and development.
• Undertakes periodic consultations with beneficiary organizations, partners, stakeholders and donors in order to revise the activities comprised in the project program.
• Participates in the design and implementation of the project components and plans.
• Ensures efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation.
• Provides timely and thorough reports related to project activities.
• Together with the CTA, actively participates in resource mobilization activities for the project.
• OIC of Project in the absence of the CTA.

1. Ensures strategic direction of project operations

• Compliance with UNDP rules, policies and regulations in the implementation of project operational plan.
• Provision of advice and technical assistance on the design and development of project strategies and policies.
• Establish effective working relations with national and international partners and donors.
• Develop periodically operational plans in coordination with the other implementing organizations and partners in order to maximize the outcome and reduce resource allocation.
• Timely follow up of routine actions and deadlines.

2. Under the coordination of the CTA, ensures human resources management and development

• Coordinates and facilitates capacity development activities for the project staff, interns and national partners staff.
• Designs and implements capacity building programs focused on human resources and carrier development.
• Coordinates project staff involved in the implementation of the operational plan of activities.
• Ensures that the results of the training and capacity building component are in conformity with the set outcomes of the project.

3. Undertakes periodic consultations with beneficiary organizations, partners, stakeholders and donors in order to revise the activities comprised in the project program.

• Organizes and conducts periodical consultations with stakeholders and partners, political parties and donors in order to update and adapt activities as required.
• Under the coordination of the CTA reports and updates to donors the progress of the project components and the main impact areas and indicators.

4. Participates in the design and implementation of the project components and plans.

• Support and coordination of component activities and support staff according to the approved work-plan.
• Ensures proper management of project assets, facilities and logistical services.
• Planning, organization and oversight of the necessary administrative and logistic operations regarding field and consultancy missions, workshops, overseas learning trips and other project activities.

5. Ensures efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation.

• Supports gathering and analysis of data for project monitoring and evaluation ensuring compliance with UNDP M&E requirements in reporting on programme results and progress towards set outcomes.

6. Provides thorough and timely reports related to project activities.

• Management operational activities to be reported on regularly bases in the form of contributions to quarterly and annual updates.
• Preparation of other reports and statistics regarding activities under the project components as needed.

7. Together with CTA, participates actively in resource mobilization activities for the project.

• Prepares materials related to the specific area of responsibility and present to donors during regular Steering Committee meetings and also to donors during fundraising meetings.

8. OIC of Project in the absence of the CTA.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency, and effectiveness of the Electoral Project operations as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

• Financial Services
• Human Resources
• Procurement and Logistical Services
• Monitoring & Evaluation

Competencies

The Project Manager shall be able to work with high-level government officials and intergovernmental bodies and shall possess a high ability for strategic thinking in policy and programming.

Corporate competencies

• Proven track record of strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• In depth knowledge of program management component including quality management and evaluation.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN?s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.

Functional competencies

• In-depth knowledge in the field of electoral support and assistance.
• Experience in working with electoral management bodies, political parties at parliamentary, central and local level and government institutions in the areas of good governance and elections.
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices inside and outside the UN.
• Possesses the ability to lead oversight of project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Familiarity with Timor-Leste and its electoral system.
• Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally.

Managerial competencies

• Proven ability to coordinate a multi-task and interdisciplinary project component.
• Ability to deal tactfully with arising situations and advice the CTA of the project on possible solutions.
• Knowledge and skills to lead an efficient and result oriented management system program at national and local level.

Behavioral competencies

• Team player with very strong interpersonal and inter-cultural communication skills.
• Good management, coordination and motivational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, and to work on different activities simultaneously.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters degree in political sciences, public administration or similar.

Experience:

• At least seven years management experience in Democratic Governance projects/institutions.
• At least seven years experience in electoral processes.
• Experience in project coordination, development and implementation at national and local level.
• Experience in the UN System and good understanding of UNDP finance and operational procedures is an asset.
• Knowledge of local context highly desirable and prior experience working with government partners and political parties in Timor-Leste.
• Work experience in post-conflict and/or lesser developed countries is a must.
• Good knowledge of gender equality and women?s empowerment issues in the electoral context.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English and working knowledge of at least one of the following languages: Tetum, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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