Background:
The Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, adopted in 2012, provides for the conduct of a constitutional referendum and elections. One of the mandates of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Somalia (UNSOM) which was established in 2013 is the provision of policy advice to the Federal Government of Somalia on the constitutional review process and subsequent referendum and preparations for elections. The United Nations has set up an Integrated Electoral Support Group comprising UNSOM and UNDP to provide electoral assistance in line with recommendations of a UN Needs Assessment Mission. This assistance is provided in a phased manner and the initial phase of support will focus on three priorities: the establishment and capacity development of the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC); the development of the legal framework on elections; and the promotion of increased understanding of electoral processes and the legal framework. The bill establishing the NIEC was passed by the Federal Parliament in February this year and the process to select the NIEC commissioners has commenced. The UN Integrated Electoral Support Group led by the Chief Electoral Adviser will work closely with the NIEC, the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs, Federal Parliament and other stakeholders to provide the necessary technical assistance for the elections and the referendum.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Electoral Adviser, the Gender and Elections Specialist will contribute to the mainstreaming of gender issues within the practices and policies of the NIEC, including strategic planning to enhance women’s participation in electoral administration and electoral affairs, commensurate capacity development, ongoing advice to the NIEC with regards to international best practices, legal and international human rights regarding equitable gender principles. The Gender and Elections Specialist will also contribute to the provision of advice on the legal framework and regulations for elections in relation to the promotion of women’s representation and participation.
Description of Responsibilities :
Summary of Key Functions:
- Assistance to the assessment of the existing situation with a view to determine needs and considerations necessary in developing a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of gender mainstreaming in the field of electoral affairs;
- Support to the NIEC in planning, preparing and implementing capacity development activities for staff at headquarters and provincial offices;
- Advice to the NIEC on international best practices, legal and international human rights and equal opportunity employment standards, which should reflect gender equitable principles and practices, pertaining to electoral management bodies;
- Advice on the promotion of women’s political participation and representation in the legal framework, regulations and procedures for elections.
Assistance to the assessment of the existing situation with a view to determine needs and considerations necessary in developing a comprehensive strategy for gender mainstreaming in the field of electoral affairs:
- Advice on developing a mid and long-term comprehensive gender strategy for the NIEC, based on this assessment and other available information and input;
- Advice on and support to strategies for the NIEC to increase women’s participation in the electoral process and administration;
- Collecting and analyzing data on women as stakeholders in the electoral process;
- Advice to the NIEC on cooperation with government institutions, CSO and women’s networks relevant for the empowerment of women;
- Advice on how the NIEC and the UN Integrated Electoral Support Group (IEPG) can cooperate with other UN agencies in support of women in order to achieve synergies and increase impact;
- Developing platforms for advancing strategy amongst civil society and government for the advancement of women in the electoral process.
Support to the NIEC in promoting gender equality in planning, preparing and implementing capacity development activities for staff:
- Assistance to ensuring that gender issues are taken into consideration in the design and implementation of all aspects of capacity and needs assessments and planning;
- Support to the NIEC in planning and organizing workshops/seminars for all stakeholders, surrounding the inclusion of women in electoral activities;
- Provide advice and support to the NIEC to establish a Gender Unit and mentor capacity development.
Ongoing advice to the NIEC on international best practices, legal and international human rights and equal opportunity employment standards, which should reflect gender equitable principles and practices, pertaining to electoral management bodies:
- Identification of ways to promote the full participation of women in decision-making, with particular regard to electoral activities in line with best practice and legal and international human rights;
- Contribution to regular reporting and documents that reflect building support for best practice knowledge sharing in line with international best practice and norms.
Advice on the promotion of women’s political participation and representation in the legal framework, regulations and procedures for elections:
- Actively contribute options and recommendations to promote the participation and representation of women in the legal framework;
- Undertake research and prepare papers on comparative examples and make presentations and briefings as required;
- Work closely with those developing and drafting the legal framework and participate in consultations and roundtables;
- Coordinate closely with other colleagues working on the promotion of gender equality.
Impact of Results
The key results are expected to have an impact on the electoral process in Somalia as well as the UNDP support toward that purpose. In particular, the results have an impact on the delivery of:
- Comprehensive strategy for the promotion of gender mainstreaming and women’s participation in the field of electoral administration and electoral affairs;
- Development of advocacy platform from civil society and government for addressing issues of women’s participation in electoral administration and electoral affairs;
- Capacity development to enhance the role of women in election administration and electoral affairs;
- Awareness of best practice and international human rights norms regarding equitable gender principles.
- Competencies :
- Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:
- Creates effective advocacy strategies;
- Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.
Results-Based Programme Development and Management:
- Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
- Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
- Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
- Participates in the formulation of project proposals.
Building Strategic Partnerships:
- Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
- Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
- Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
- Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
- Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
- Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
- Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
- Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
- Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
- Effective presentation and report-writing skills; strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communications skills.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
- Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
- Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
- Demonstrated ability to produce well-written and comprehensive reports.
Client Orientation:
- Anticipates client needs;
- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
- Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
- Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.
Core Competencies:
- Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
- Building support and political acumen;
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
- Building and promoting effective teams;
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards.
- Qualifications :
- Education:
- Master’s degree in Gender/Women’s Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Welfare, Development Studies, Law or related field, with a focus on International Development, Gender or Human Rights.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in electoral assistance and gender mainstreaming, and well experienced in needs assessment planning and implementation;
- Diversified and progressively responsible professional experience in Gender and Human Rights or International Development, specifically related to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment; including considerable experience dealing with policy makers and senior technical specialists;
- Good understanding of the various stages of the electoral process [candidate nomination, code of conduct, accreditation of candidate and party agents, public outreach, voter and civic education, training, etc.] and the electoral management body’s mandate;
- Capacity to dialogue with electoral and high level political and administrative officers;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Experience working on electoral-related legislation is desirable;
- Experience of working in Somalia is also an asset;
- Advanced skills in the usage of computer software packages and web based management systems.
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application by visiting: http://jobs.undp.org/ OR
