Electoral Specialist - African Union (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants)

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Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Service Centre for Africa have over the years engaged in collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting democratic governance, peace, and security on the continent of Africa based on shared values and principles enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa Agenda 2063. One of the areas in which AUC and UNDP have engaged in successful partnerships is through electoral support to the Member States. One of those initiatives was through the inception phase of the Africa Elections Fund (AEF) in 2023, which was supported by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO). The AEF is an innovative instrument to support inclusive and peaceful electoral processes in Africa through complementary continental and national level interventions in a bid to strengthen democratic institutions and processes on the continent. Following a successful inception phase, UNDP, through the support of the GFFO, in moving towards the implementation of a fully-fledged Fund from 2026 to 2029. The AEF offers an opportunity for AUC and UNDP to enhance synergies, together with Regional Economic Communities networks of Election Management Bodies to enhance innovative national capacities in the Member States to promote democratic governance, inculcating norms and values of democratic elections. The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the AUC has the overall mandate of supporting elections in Member States based on various norms, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. In this regard, UNDP, through the AEF, seeks to deploy an Electoral Specialist to be embedded within the Democracy and Elections Unit, Directorate of Governance and Conflict Prevention of the Department of PAPS, to scale up efforts of the Department in responding to the electoral capacity needs of the Member States.

Scope of Work

The Electoral Specialist, embedded in the Democracy and Elections Unit (DEU), Directorate of Governance and Conflict Prevention, Department of PAPS, will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Program Development & Implementation

2. Promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Inclusion

4. Strategic Partnerships 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary in the execution of the AU mandate on electoral support to the Member States.

Institutional Arrangement

The Electoral Specialist will report directly to the Principal Democracy and Elections Officer within the Department of PAPS of the AUC with matrix reporting lines to  UNDP Regional Electoral Advisor for Africa.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

2030 Agenda: Peace

Business Development

Business Direction & Strategy

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Required Skills

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

Required Language(s)

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

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