UNDP Recruits Chief Technical Advisor

UNDP - the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project supports Nigeria’s democratic process within the framework of Electoral Cycle Support and Deepening Democracy over the period, 2009-2015. The overall goal of DGD is to help develop the capacity of national and sub-national institutions, networks and processes, whether governmental or non-governmental, as a contribution to the further entrenchment of electoral democracy and democratic governance in Nigeria. The project provided technical assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among other critical stakeholders towards the 2011 general elections to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

Following the improvement in the 2011 elections, partnership between DGD and INEC is being strengthened to further position it to improve on subsequent elections. While developing the post-election phase of its support to INEC in this regard, DGD is supporting INEC to produce a permanent voters card and register; identify specific issues to be addressed in the reform of the constitutional and legal framework of elections, the development of a strategic plan and organizational restructuring based on the report and recommendations of the Registration and Election Review Committee. To facilitate this, DGD is supporting INEC and the office of the Chairman to recruit a Chief Technical Advisor.

Job Title: Chief Technical Advisor
Location: Abuja, NIGERIA
Level of Post:     SB5 peg 5

Responsibilities

• The person shall provide senior level technical advice to the Chairman and Commission on Electoral support project planning, management and implementation as follows;
• Provide technical advice to enhance the capacity of the Commission and Commission Secretariat; specifically enhance their capacity with regard to the holding of credible, transparent and inclusive elections, including the development of appropriate materials and training programs for officers and staff and ensure the institutionalization of the capacity being developed;
• Identify priorities and capacity development needs in the design of work plans, and establish a timely and participatory work planning process;
• Ensure the overall relevance, and performance of support to INEC, the effective realisation and quality of outputs, and adherence to applicable UNDP global standards, rules and regulations;
• Provide technical advice to the Chairman and Commission in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation, as well as in preparing reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned and good practices;
• Provide substantive inputs to the preparation of INEC policy notes, statements, etc., for important events (e.g. donor forums, international conferences, etc.);
• Exercise overall responsibility for planning, implementation, management, monitoring and coordination aspects of the support to INEC;
• Ensure strong partnerships with DGD and other stakeholders, by facilitating communication and exchange of lessons learned and good practices;
• Coordinate all electoral support activities;
• Ensure timely production and submission of progress reports to UNDP/DGD;
• Deliver monthly personal activity reports to UNDP.

Deliverables
The Chief Technical Advisor is expected to provide the following deliverables:

• INEC’s strategic policies and Technical workplan finalized, circulated and operationalize;
• INEC voter education materials developed, standardized and disseminated to partners and stakeholders;
• A capacity development plan to address identified and documented INEC’s staff and organizational capacity needs, designed and implemented.
• Judgement on election cases reviewed and documented and recommendations implemented.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches
  

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Requirements

• Advanced University degree (Masters or PhD) in relevant fields of study.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience including at least 5 years in providing technical advice to an Electoral Management Body
• A good understanding of the social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning African and ideally Nigerian governance and electoral processes.
• Excellent knowledge of election procedures and frameworks
• Proven track record of advising, organizing and supervising public awareness activities partnering with democratic organizations capacity building projects
• Skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning and partnership building

Language Requirements:

• Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.
• Excellent spoken English is required as well as fluency in one Nigerian language

Application Closing Date
7th May, 2013.

Method Of Application
Interested candidated should send:
click here to apply online

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.