Organisational Setting and Reporting
The position will be located in Addis Ababa under the authority of the Under-Secretary-General (USG) of the United Nations Office at the African Union (UNOAU). The Chief Electoral Officer will be directly tasked by, and have a direct reporting line to the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs/Electoral Assistance Division (DPPA/EAD), but will work closely with and in support of the Head of UNOAU.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, and working under the supervision of the Director of EAD and the authority of the Head of UNOAU, the Chief Electoral Officer, among other tasks will be responsible for the following duties:
- Helps DPPA (and the rest of the UN system- under the guidance of the UN Focal Point for electoral assistance) in providing a timely response to the cases where a quick intervention in helping national efforts for managing and resolving election related crisis are required;
- Undertakes electoral crisis management and electoral mediation missions, alone or in support of actions by ASGs, SRSGs, Envoys, DPPA and/or DPO Directors of regional divisions and teams covering the African continent;
- Helps UN efforts in solving problems and generating solutions to political and technical issues that arise in the conduct of the electoral process;
- Leads, accompanies, and/or supports politically sensitive electoral needs assessment missions as well as other related missions as required ;
- Provides advice to the Heads of Mission and senior mission staff, and to the Independent National Electoral Bodies/Electoral Commissions or other relevant authorities to encourage electoral processes that are in accordance with international standards.
- Solves problems and generates solutions to political and technical issues that arise in the conduct of the electoral process.
- Coordinates international electoral assistance, as appropriate, including other relevant UN agencies engaged in supporting the electoral process.
- Supports the Head of UNOAU in his/her functions in Addis Ababa.
- Provides regular reports to the SRSG/DSRSG and UN Headquarters senior officials.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of and ability to evaluate electoral processes and potentials for election-related violence; knowledge of all aspects of electoral processes and their technical and political implications including how best to manage and help in resolving election related crisis. Strong analytical and evaluative skills combined with good judgement. Understanding of electoral operations in a UN or similar multilateral environment. Ability to develop the unit/division’s strategic direction and ability to transform it into a results-oriented workplan. Ability to place the significance of electoral processes in a political context. Excellent management skills. Ability to manage and coordinate multileveled projects. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
- Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Public Administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in elections and related areas is required; managerial experience is required; experience in electoral administration and systems in more than one country, including developing countries is required. United Nations electoral field experience in a peacekeeping operation and/or UN agency is required. Experience in bilateral and multilateral negotiations is desirable. Experience in post-conflict situations is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English and French is required; knowledge of a third UN language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term ‘sexual exploitation’ means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term ‘sexual abuse’ means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term ‘sexual harassment’ means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on ‘Manuals’ hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
