Senior Programme Officer – Constitution Building 86 views0 applications

The Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has been providing support to Tunisia’s constitutional process since 2011. Since the 2014 constitution entered into force, International IDEA has been focusing much of its efforts to assist Tunisia’s state institutions, legal profession and civil society to implement Article 49, and in particular to bring their practices into line with the principle of proportionality, which is provided for under Article 49. Starting in March 2019, International IDEA will be intensifying its efforts in that regard, in particular by implementing a two year project (the “Project”) that is specifically dedicated to promoting a deeper awareness of how the 2014 Constitution in general and Article 49 in particular change the framework for the protection of fundamental rights.

In order to achieve that aim, International IDEA is seeking to recruit a Senior Programme Officer who will be responsible for implementing all of the activities that are provided for in the Project. The Senior Programme Officer will be expected to oversee all of the Project’s substantive aspects as well as the logistical and administrative aspects.

The Senior Programme Officer (SPO) will lead the planning and implementation of all the activities related to a two-year project on Article 49 of the Tunisian Constitution. The SPO will lead the substantive aspects of the project and will coordinate with colleagues on the administrative and logistical arrangements related to the implementation of project activities. The SPO will have excellent project management skills and the ability to work closely with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops a detailed work plan for all activities due to be implemented during the project; Ensures that activities are implemented in accordance with the workplan and modifies the workplan as necessary throughput project implementation;
• Leads and contributes to the drafting of all written materials that are due to be published in the context of the project;
• Contributes to the development of concept notes as requested;
• Supports the selection and coordination process of national and international experts contributing to the project;
• Updates national authorities of all the activities that are due to take place during the project; For the purposes of this project, “national authorities” includes the parliament, relevant parliamentary committees, the judicial council, the president of the administrative courts, the ministry of justice, the ministry of interior, amongst others;
• Encourages national authorities to participate in all of the activities, either by nominating participants from within their specific institutions, by providing feedback on the project’s substantive aspects, or by contributing to the project’s publications;
• Coordinates with the logistics team to ensure that all of the project’s logistical aspects are completed in accordance with the workplan and in accordance with International IDEA’s rules and donor regulations; Communicates to the Administrative and Logistics team the project’s logistical needs in a timely manner to ensure smooth implementation of project activities;
• Coordinates all budgetary issues with the Finance and Administration team, with a view to ensuring that all activities are implemented in accordance with the Financial Plan, and in accordance with International IDEA’s rules and procedures;
• Regularly updates the donor on all aspects of the work;
• Drafts and submits progress reports as well as a final report at the end of the implementation period;
• Contributes to periodic and ad hoc internal reports the AWA Region;
• Drafts responses for internal and/or external audit for the project as requested.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills and significant experience in their field;
• Contributes to assigned projects with authority, and provides analysis and design as appropriate; Is experienced in leading meetings and discussions, supervising publications and reviewing input from external providers;
• Contributes to publications; is recognized as an expert in his/her broad professional community;
• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Fosters team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for less experienced colleagues;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Actively integrates the inclusion of cross-cutting perspectives, including gender and inclusion, sustainable development and conflict sensitivity in the design and implementation of activities.

Reporting Line

• Programme Manager, Tunis.

Programmatic Knowledge

• Has expert knowledge in Tunisian law, in particular within the human rights framework supported by extensive work experience combined with excellent understanding of related disciplines in order to approach programmatic issues in a holistic manner.

Operational Knowledge, skills and experience

• Integrates a results-based approach into the design , management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;
• Has thorough understanding of relevant programmatic issues in the key geographical zone where his/her work is implemented;
• Is active in the search for information on donors and partners, preparation of reports and project briefs, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, and all other activities related to partnership building;
• Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.

Leadership

• Some people management responsibility over permanent staff is expected;
• Acts as a model and resource for colleagues.

Problem Solving

• Will solve complex challenges, approach issues with new perspectives, and analyze situations from a multitude of intervening factors.

Impact

• Has a clear impact on the programme development and delivery;
• Will also impact other teams and projects in related fields.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Liaises permanently to all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her project; acts and is perceived as an initiator of relevant communication to solve issues;
• Drives projects and assignments through communicative personal energy and engagement;
• Can explain sensitive information with diplomacy, and build consensus;
• Is able to present his/her activities and represent International IDEA effectively in all professional circles;
• Excellent knowledge in written and oral English is required; Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region (Arabic, French, Spanish) and/or official EU language would be an asset.

Education and Experience

• University degree in Public Law, Human Rights Law, Political Science, Public Administration, or a related field; An advanced degree will be considered an asset;
• Minimum of 8 (eight) years of relevant professional experience in human rights law, constitution building (involvement in Tunisia’s constitutional process would be a strong asset), judicial reform, or a related field;
• Experience in engaging with national or international actors on matters concerning constitutional negotiations, the promotion or defense of human rights;
• Experience in providing written and/or verbal technical advice in a relevant field;
• Experience in court arguments in cases related to human rights is a strong asset;
• Publications on constitutional reform and/or human rights law will be considered an advantage;
• Computers skills, including strong command of Microsoft Office package (including MS Work, Excel and PowerPoint).

Terms of Contract

• Local Post;
• Two (2) year fixed-term appointment;
• Salary €2 146 Gross per month plus benefits.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.