Back Electoral Technical Specialist (on electoral dispute resolution, electoral procedures and/or training)

Somalia is emerging from decades of conflict and the organization of the country’s first ‘one person, one vote’ elections since 1969 is a tremendous paradigm shift. With general parliamentary elections scheduled for late 2020 and the President’s four-year term ending in early 2021, this project seeks to prevent elections related conflict by training NIEC staff, the judiciary and other stakeholders on the electoral dispute resolution mechanism (EDRM). In addition, this project will establish a National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) Stakeholder Outreach and Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) centre at the new NIEC Headquarters which will be a secure location considered impartial for all stakeholders, allowing them easier access to the NIEC and thereby increasing transparency in the process and providing a venue to resolve elections related disputes.

UN electoral assistance to Somalia is in accordance with the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council and the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). UN Security Council Resolution 2461 underscored “the importance of UNSOM’s political and technical support, as well as operational and logistical support, in collaboration with UNSOS, to the Federal Government of Somalia for the delivery of inclusive, peaceful, free and fair one-person-one-vote elections in 2020/2021, in particular support to the NIEC at national and sub-national levels to fulfil its constitutional mandate, in line with its Strategic Plan for 2017–2021, including nationwide voter registration by the end of the first quarter of 2020, polling operations and coordination of international electoral support to Somalia”. Somalia has committed itself to a number of international and regional treaties with key human rights standards, including those in reference to genuine universal suffrage elections and the citizen’s right to be elected by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors.  At the international Somalia Partnership Forum (SPF) in Mogadishu on 1-2 October 2019, the Federal Government of Somalia reconfirmed its commitment  to ensure that federal one-person-one-vote elections are held in late 2020/early 2021, and that the executive and legislative are committed to adopt an Electoral Law by December 2019.

If electoral disputes arise, NIEC should have the capacity to deal with electoral complaints through prescribed electoral dispute resolution procedures. If a complainant is still dissatisfied, he/she can ultimately resort to the judiciary. It is therefore also important that judges are also given specific training on electoral issues.  Other key stakeholders also need to know how the electoral dispute resolution mechanisms work.

This project titled ‘Support to NIEC Electoral Dispute Resolution Mechanisms’ is substantively supervised by the UNSOM/UNDP Somalia Integrated Electoral Support Group (IESG). IESG supports the NIEC with preparations of the country’s parliamentary one person, one vote elections at the federal level, in particular by providing capacity development assistance to the NIEC as well as on operational planning, support to the development of the electoral legal framework, and with voter education and public outreach. Support to the NIEC in establishing an EDRM and the construction of a stakeholder outreach and EDR centre are complementary to the work that IESG is implementing.

In this respect, the project titled ‘Support to NIEC Electoral Dispute Resolution Mechanisms’ aims to achieve the following:

• Development and establishment of EDR structures and systems at all levels, including the development of regulations and procedures for dispute resolution;
• Development and implementation of programs for NIEC staff, relevant judges and electoral stakeholders to ensure EDR is carried out competently and efficiently during different electoral operations (from voter registration to polling, counting and tabulation);
• Development of the NIEC’s office for dispute resolution and stakeholder outreach (implemented by UNOPS).

The Electoral Technical Specialist (on electoral dispute resolution, electoral procedures and/or training) under the direct supervision of IESG leadership (Chief Electoral Advisor (UNSOM) and Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor (UNDP)), and in close coordination with the IESG Legal Adviser and Procedures Adviser, will be responsible for the effective delivery of this project in close cooperation with the UNDP Project Management Specialist. The latter is responsible for the managerial responsibilities of the project with a second programmatic reporting line to the UNDP Portfolio Manager for Inclusive Politics. The Electoral Technical Specialist will provide support to the NIEC to put in place a lean electoral dispute resolution mechanism understood by all, and ensure stakeholders know how to make complaints and the NIEC are able to handle electoral complaints as prescribed, thereby minimizing electoral disputes to lead to election-related violence.  Skilled and well-trained personnel in EDR decision-making bodies is key in the successful roll-out of the EDRM. Good understanding of the mechanism by electoral stakeholders (political parties, candidates, media, CSOs including women’s and youth groups, observers) are also essential so that complaints and disputes do not translate into violent acts but are instead lodged based on the legal requirements of handling electoral disputes. 

In addition, the Electoral Technical Specialist will ensure timely implementation of project activities, including training, and oversee and support efficient project implementation of the Project Management Specialist.

Under the direct supervision of the IESG leadership (Chief Electoral Advisor (UNSOM) and Deputy Chief Electoral Advisor (UNDP)), the Electoral Technical Specialist (on electoral dispute resolution, electoral procedures and/or training) is responsible to undertake the following functions:

Summary of Key functions:

Provide strategic policy and technical advice on the implementation of the electoral dispute resolution mechanism to the counterpart institutions, such as the NIEC, project partners, stakeholders and the IESG to develop necessary structures and capacity building initiatives; 

• Provide sound technical advice and support to NIEC, judges and other electoral stakeholders on electoral dispute resolution, electoral procedures and training;
• Development and implementation of programs for NIEC staff, relevant judges and electoral stakeholders to ensure EDR is carried out competently and efficiently during different electoral operations (from voter registration to polling, counting and tabulation);
• Development and establishment of EDR structures and systems at all levels, including the development of regulations and procedures for dispute resolution in cooperation with IESG;
• Develop strategic policy briefings on the development of EDRM and respective outreach concepts;
• Plan and execute periodic reviews and assessments of project activities implemented under his/her area of supervision;
• Design and deliver capacity building measures to the national and local actors involved in EDRM and outreach processes;
• Provide input into the development of the NIEC’s office for dispute resolution and stakeholder outreach;
• Provide support and advice to project board meetings; 
• Develop context-specific instruments strengthening the EDRM, outreach and training process in cooperation with respective units and actors.

Effectively coordinate and communicate with donors and development partners working in the area of elections on EDRM and project implementation, promote networking and knowledge sharing within IESG, UNDP, in particular and with UN System, in general;

• Advise IESG on preparation of high-level consultation meetings with donors, government departments/ministries to strengthening the EDRM processes
• Prepare IESG position papers and IESG resource mobilization strategy in order to start discussion with relevant stakeholders;
• Interact with development partners and INGOs/NGOs working in respective fields and advise the IESG accordingly.
• Provide input into the development of the NIEC’s office for dispute resolution and stakeholder outreach, and ensure the timeline of its development is on track; 
• Ensure that capacity development initiatives of IESG and that of other implementing partners are complementary in nature and there is no duplicity and overlapping of efforts,

Overall oversight of the project:

• The Electoral Technical Specialist (on electoral dispute resolution, electoral procedures and/or training) oversees the Project Management Specialist’s work (responsible for the day-to-day management of the project and ensure timely delivery of the project financial results) to ensure timely and effective implementation of the project;
• Responsible for the effective technical management of the Project;
• Oversee effective and timely implementation of project activities and consultant's work deployed within the project;
• Monitor the project activities and suggest course corrections, where needed;
• Oversee implementation of budgets, work plans and monitoring of project implementation.
• Provide advice to the IESG and Project Board on good practice;
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the Work Plans and Budgets;
• Report on the progress of the Project to IESG, the Project Board and Donors, provide analysis and substantive inputs to project documents, reports, concept notes and other strategic documents as required;
• Supervise, plan and coordinate relevant meetings with stakeholders, including provision of relevant reporting;
• Perform other relevant duties as required by the IESG leadership. Ensure in all circumstances that the project upholds the values of the UN System, the country’s interests and partners implicated in the process.

Core     

• Innovation
• Leadership
• People Management
• Communication
• Delivery

Technical/Functional     

• Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness
• Innovation and Judgment
• Job Knowledge & Expertise   
• Teamwork         
• Commitment to Continuous Learning     
• Client Orientation           

     Education:

• Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, Management, Administration, Law or related fields or relevant work experience;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least seven years of professional experience in the area of elections with focus on electoral assistance, capacity building and institutional development preferably in a fragile and conflict affected context;
• Proven knowledge in Electoral Dispute Resolution mechanisms, with preferably experiences in implementing electoral complaints and appeals processes;
• Proven knowledge and experience in designing and implementing electoral training programs an asset;
• Proven knowledge and experience in managing projects or programs, staff and consultants, monitoring and evaluation of projects an asset;
• Experience working with electoral stakeholders, such as Electoral Management Bodies in developing countries, and different donors;
• Experience in closely cooperating and coordinating activities with other assistance providers;
• Experience in conflict, post-conflict, or transitional state environments;
• Demonstrated ability to live and work in a challenging environment;
• Fluency is oral and written communication skills in English;
• Strong organizing skills;
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Experience working with judges an asset;
• Experience working with the UN is an asset;
• Relevant experience in Africa or the Arab region is desirable.

Language Requirements:             

• Proficiency in English (mandatory)
• Working knowledge of other UN language desirable

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension