The incumbent will perform the following responsibilities under the authority of the Resident Representative, the Country Director, the Deputy Country Director/Programme and the Governance Team Leader; and under the direct supervision of the UNDP Participatory Governance Coordinator.

All UN electoral support in Iraq takes place under the umbrella of the UNAMI-led International Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT). UN agencies and UNAMI work in close cooperation as part of the joint IEAT.

The Electoral Programme Advisor provides the Iraq Country Office with relevant expertise to analyze, formulate, develop and implement electoral strategies and programmes in Iraq.

The Electoral Programme Advisor contributes to UNDP’s electoral policy dialogue with the IHEC and other Iraqi government institutions, with donors, with other UN bodies and with representatives of other electoral management bodies as relevant.

The Programme Advisor works closely with Iraq counterparts of the IHEC, national and regional institutions, civil society organizations and UN bodies to design and develop electoral programmes which will be implemented in Iraq.

As a member of the International Electoral Assistance Team, the Electoral Programme Advisor provides UNAMI, UN partner agencies and the IHEC policy and programme advice and support on capacity development and overall coordination of the joint programme ‘Institutional Development Support to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), funded by the UNDG Iraq Trust Fund.

The Programme Advisor works in close collaboration with the Governance Team Leader and other Governance Team Advisors to ensure implementation of the UNDP electoral programme by performing the following:

  • Develop a UNDP electoral strategy for Iraq; lead the effort in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of this strategy;
  • Provide overall oversight to UNDP electoral programme implementation;
  • Analyze the Iraq electoral situation and trends, assess needs and identify areas for possible UNDP/UN intervention;
  • Facilitate policy dialogue on electoral governance and institutional development issues with the IHEC, donors and civil society etc;
  • Based on the electoral strategy and ongoing electoral programme, formulate and develop project proposals to address requirements of Iraq and provide options to Iraqi electoral authorities in this area;
  • Provide electoral policy advice and guidance to the UNDP governance team and the IEAT highlighting best practices and appropriate technical assistance approaches in the Iraqi context;
  • Ensure that projects / programmes supporting electoral processes in Iraq incorporate international best practices and promote inclusive participation;
  • Facilitate dialogue on electoral best practices and lessons learned with representatives of government, civil society, other electoral management bodies etc;
  • Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender and human rights are incorporated into the electoral programme, and facilitate the formulation of cross-cutting initiatives;
  • Ensure coordination with UNAMI and other UN agencies, and identify areas for joint initiatives;
  • Prepare programme/project documents, log-frames, outcomes, targets, indicators, work plans, budgets and activities, which are in line with both the Iraqi national needs as well as donor criteria for funding;
  • Work closely with Iraqi counterparts, the international community, UNAMI, UN agencies and civil society organizations to implement and manage the delivery of the electoral programme and projects in an efficient and effective manner, ensuring that planned results are achieved and reported on in a timely manner;
  • Organize and manage the work of the UNDP electoral section to ensure proper planning, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the programme;
  • Identify Iraqi and international executing and implementing agencies to implement, monitor and evaluation projects/programmes as necessary;
  • Monitor and review the overall electoral programme performance by ensuring proper planning, benchmarking and target setting (substantively and financially);
  • Manage the accurate and timely reporting on the progress of projects and ensure that reports are provided to donors according to UNDP’s contractual obligations;
  • Work closely with Iraqi and international counterparts to develop opportunities for electoral institutional development and capacity building of the Iraqi electoral authorities and other government bodies as relevant;
  • Provide advice and guidance to the IHEC on its institutional development strategy, including the promotion of engagement of external stakeholders;
  • Advise the IHEC on its internal management tools for the implementation of its institutional development strategy in order to maximize impact and effectiveness;
  • In coordination with UNDP, UNOPS, UNAMI and the IHEC, lead in the development and implementation of a joint institutional development and technical assistance plan for the IHEC, including overall programme planning, definition of activities, establishment of timelines and development of a broad capacity building workplan, as agreed with the IHEC.

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly and with impartiality.
Functional Competencies:
  • Development and Operational Effectiveness;
  • Able to lead strategic planning, manage for results and reporting;
  • Translates strategic aims into achievable plans and establishes goals and priorities; monitors and adjusts plans as necessary;
  • Applies development theory to practice and to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
  • Able to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
  • Able to lead implementation of new systems, mobilize resources and affect staff behavioural/attitudinal change;
  • Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
  • Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
  • Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed, anticipate problems and identify opportunities;
  • Has proven analytical and evaluative skills, and ability to conduct independent analysis;
  • Communicates effectively with diplomatic / member state and donor communities, other UN and international agencies, Iraqi national counterparts and electoral authorities;
  • Demonstrates practical knowledge in capacity development approaches, as well as in electoral administration and international standards in elections.
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office through personal example;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession;
  • Contributes to the learning of colleagues and shows willingness to learn from others;
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Management and Leadership
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority;
  • Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
  • Accurately judges the time and resources need to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
  • Establishes and monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
  • Regularly discusses performance and provides guidance, feedback and coaching to staff;
  • Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on available information.
Professionalism
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others;
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office and with stakeholders;
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals and promotes good team spirit.

Education:
  • Masters degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration or related field
Experience:
  • A minimum of 10 years relevant experience in programme management and/or elections;
  • Experience in design, monitoring and evaluating development programmes, project control and resource mobilization, preferably with an electoral focus;
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare project proposals and manage financial and human resources;
  • Comparative experience in election systems and administration, preferably in post-conflict or transitional countries;
  • Familiarity with election-related legislation and international standards in elections;
  • Experience in working directly with election commissions, preferably including a focus on institutional development
  • A minimum of 7 years experience working with the UN, a UN agency or an international organization, working on electoral and/or governance issues;
  • Experience and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures strongly desired;
  • Experience with the UN or international organization working in Iraq an advantage.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English both oral and written;
  • Working knowledge of Arabic an asset
Other:
  • Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders in Iraq essential;
  • Competent in usage of MS Office software programmes (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint);
  • Knowledge of Results Based Management methodologies would be an asset;
  • Knowledge of ATLAS or PeopleSoft would be an asset.
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