UNDP Liberia

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. UNDP/ISSA/2006/003

Date of Issue: 3 April 2006
Closing Date: 8 April 2006

Post Title : Electoral Capacity Building Expert

Organization : Governance/(UNDP)

Duty Station : Monrovia, Liberia

Duration : Two (2) Months

Type of Contract : Special Service Agreement

This vacancy is open to applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates.

BACKGROUND:

After 14 years of civil war in Liberia, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Community brokered Peace Agreement on August 18, 2003 in Accra Ghana between the GOL, LURD, MODEL, CSOs and political parties which among other things called for an end to civil war and the ushering in of a Transitional Administration, the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) effective October 14, 2003.

The Accra Peace Agreement termed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) provided the political and substantive framework for Liberia’s post-conflict recovery. It defined the terms of a ceasefire that led to the deployment of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and laid out structure and scope for the NTGL to guide the country towards democratic elections in 2005. The CPA led to the creation of the Electoral Reform Law (2004) that suspended certain provisions of the Constitution of Liberia and amended specific sections of the New Elections Law 1986. The electoral Reform Law also led to the creation of new provisions relating to the budget appropriations of the National Elections Commission. The Presidential and Legislative Elections were held on October 11 2005 as scheduled, and Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated the Liberian President on January 16 2006.

The successful conduct of the 2005 Presidential and Legislative Elections and the installation of the new government brought to an end the CPA, including the electoral Reform Law (2004) that guided the conduct of the 2005 Elections. This thus calls for the reorganization of the Electoral Commission (ECOM) in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the New Elections Law (1986). The reorganization and capacity building requirements arise from the need for the establishment of a permanent and professionally managed electoral body that has the constitutional legitimacy and capacity to enforce electoral rules and assure fairness with cooperation of political parities, the electorate and the entire population.
UNDP and other partners are supporting the Government in reinvigorating the promotion of democratic governance through among other efforts, support to electoral processes and systems, and promoting civic engagement through a vibrant civic society in the post conflict reconstruction and development.
UNDP’s support to Electoral Systems and Processes in Liberia focuses on strengthening institutional and administrative capacity of the Electoral Commission (ECOM) and promoting constructive civic engagement through a vibrant civil society.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND PRESENT STATUS:

Following the conclusion of the 2005 Legislative and Presidential Elections, the following initiatives have been taking place at the Electoral Commission:

• Reconstitution of the Commission by the appointment on new Commissioners to the board as required by law,
• Finalization of the 2005 Elections report,
• Institutional review and development of organization/management structure,
• Right-sizing of ECOM staff,
• Development of a Six-year Strategic Plan,
• Planning for capacity development programme,
• Collaborating with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the development of National Civic Education Master Plan, and
• Preparation for the conduct of Local and Municipal elections.

To be able to accomplish these tasks, ECOM therefore requires the services of an international consultant to assist particularly in the ongoing restructuring and capacity assessment with a view to making recommendations on optimum staffing levels, and training needs and other capacity building requirements for members of the Board, staff and departments.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The overall goal of this assignment is to audit the administrative and institutional capacity of ECOM based on the strategic priorities (Civic Education, Institutional Development, Electoral System Reform, and the holding of Local, Municipal elections and by-elections) as outlined in the Draft Strategic Plan and make recommendations.

The specific objectives are:

* To identify training needs, develop training programs for ECOM and recommend where such training could be undertaken;

* To review the proposed management structure of the Commission and make recommendations;

*To review the existing institutional capacity of ECOM and recommend institutional capacity building program;

* To recommend a framework for electoral reform agenda; and

* To design a programme for the planning, management and administration of Local (Chieftaincy) and Municipal Elections.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working in close collaboration with the ECOM and its national and international partners, it is expected that the consultant will perform the following tasks:

* Hold relevant consultations with key stakeholders to help determine the nature, location, scope, focus, and operational authority of ECOM and to solicit bye-in and general acceptability of the proposed permanent and professionally managed electoral body;

* Review the capacity (including managerial, personnel, finance and inter/intra institutional linkages) and organization of ECOM and provide specific recommendations on resourcing and organizational structure as well as detailed legal and statutory arrangements for accomplishing the agenda as outlined in the Draft Strategic Plan;

* Based on conclusions and recommendations, propose how ECOM should plan, implement and monitor its work programs/activities, ensuring linkages between ECOM and various government departments and intervention by the civic society, political parties and other stakeholders;

* Study the election related laws, rules and regulations and make recommendations for electoral reform agenda; and

* Propose a roadmap for the holding of Local (Chieftaincy) and Municipal elections.

EXPECTED RESULTS FROM INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT:

A recommendation/proposal on a new administrative and institutional structure that will include the justification for such a structure, a proposed operational organogamme with a proposed mandate, general and divisional functions, recommended staffing requirements (numbers, qualifications, technical, administrative) with the appropriate skills-mix, resource requirements etc;

*Staff training program and plan;

* Recommendation on electoral reform agenda; and

*A roadmap for the holding of Local (Chieftaincy) and Municipal elections.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS;

Inception Report Within two weeks (14 calendar days), the consultant will produce an inception report, which will outline progress to date, the consultant’s strategy and any difficulties. .

First Working drafts; One month after assuming duties the consultant will present draft reports, which should include/cover:

* A synthesis of factors that justify the need for institutional review and capacity building programme.

* A working drafts on the proposed assignments.

Final Report: During the last two weeks of the assignment following feedback and comments on the draft submissions from all relevant stakeholders (including ECOM, political parties, Civil Society, UNDP, IFES, European Union,) the consultant will prepare and submit to the ECOM and UNDP the final drafts of the four deliverables as outlined in the expected results.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS (LOCATION)

The Consultant will be based at the ECOM Headquarter and may also have a space available at UNDP Liberia for drafting and confidential work.

THE CONSULTANT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

* Least a Masters Degree in one of the social sciences.

EXPERIENCE:

* Minimum of fifteen (15) years relevant professional desk field experience;

* Extensive experience in electoral experience administration and management, and institutional development appropriate to developing countries preferably similar to the Liberia Electoral System and Processes;

* In capacity development of a functioning electoral management body preferable from Africa would be necessary; and

* Substantial work done in the area of conducting capacity needs assessment, institutional reform and strengthening.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

* Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet etc;

* Have practical experience in Development of voter and civic education messages and programmes in post conflict environment (A MUST);

* Familiarity with UN procedures preferable;

* Must be a self-starter with excellent demonstrated teamwork skills;

* Must be a Liberian citizen and able to meet strict deadlines; and

* Sound judgment, excellent analytical skills, strong networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan, organize and coordinate work and to cope with a demanding workload is expected.

LANGUAGES:

* Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of one of the regional languages will be an asset.

Email application to this vacancy should be sent to vacancies.lr@undp.org. Please insert Vacancy Announcement Number in the Subject of the email or written application. Applications without the Vacancy Announcement Number or with the incorrect Vacancy Announcement Number will not be accepted. Attach photocopies of qualifications (i.e. technical certificates and academicals) and a one-page cover letter indicating your interest and suitability for the position as well as previous work /institutional profile relevant to this consultancy. An indication of methodology to be adopted, work schedule and a budget must form part of the consultancy bid.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Please forward all written applications to:

Deputy Resident Representative (Operations)
Attention: HR Unit
United Nations Development Programme
Simpson Apartment, Sekou Toure Avenue, Mamba Point
Monrovia, Liberia

cc: All UN Agencies/ UNDP Projects/Programmes in Liberia

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Note: All applications/queries must be addressed to: vacancies.lr@undp.org
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.