Pascal Mayalla
Platinum Member
- Sep 22, 2008
- 50,428
- 113,426
AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis-Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box: 3243 Telephone: 011 - 5 - 51 77 00 fax number: +(251-11) 5525840 /5510430
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: SENIOR POLITICAL/ELECTIONS OFFICER CONSULTANT (PA-01STC/2010)
Introduction
The Democracy and Elections Assistance Unit (DEAU) was established to enable the African Union Commission to implement its program for the promotion of democracy and democratic elections on the continent. The overall mandate accorded to the Elections Unit is one of implementing all activities of the Commission aimed at promoting democracy and democratic elections in Africa. The objectives of the Unit are subsequently derived from this mandate namely, to coordinate and organise observation and monitoring of elections; provide electoral assistance as well as offer support to other aspects of democracy and elections.
Consequently, the DEAU identified a number of core strategic priorities in line with the election processes and approaches contained in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. As far as the election observation mandate is concerned the Unit has the responsibility of coordinating and organising the participation of AU in the observation of elections in collaboration with official AU organs. With regards to its mission of providing electoral support, the Unit has the task of strengthening capacities of national electoral institutions through provision of technical assistance, through training and promoting a continental forum of these institutions. In addition to specific activities linked to electoral assistance and promotion of democracy, the Unit also has the responsibility of designing and developing cross-cutting projects that affect all these areas within its scope such as mobilising support funds for democracy and electoral assistance.
Justification
The volume of work in the area of Democracy and Elections Assistance has increased over the past years and will, as per the mandate, increase rapidly over the next few years. In addition to the observation of elections, attention has to be focused on assistance for the management of elections. In particular, the Democracy and Elections Assistance Unit is expected to play a prominent role in engagements with national election management bodies (EMBs). In the light of the scope of the tasks designed for the Unit to undertake, the Political Affairs Department is proposing to recruit two consultants for the positions highlighted below. This will improve the Units administrative and management capability as well as the Units efficiency, effectiveness and pro-active posture in carrying out its responsibilities.
1. POST :
JOB TITLE: Senior Political/Elections Officer Consultant
GRADE: P3
NO. OF POSTS: two (2)
DEPARTMENT: Political Affairs Directorate
SUPERVISOR: Head of Democracy and Elections Assistance Unit
DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the immediate supervision of the Head of Democracy and Elections Assistance Unit, the Senior Political/Elections consultant is to undertake the following tasks:
· The Consultantwould be in general terms responsible for the preparation and implementation of activities relating to election processes, observations and training.
· More specifically, in consultation with the Head of Unit the Consultants tasks include ensuring the implementation of all the Units activities relating to the observation of elections and electoral assistance;
· Develop concept notes, project proposals relating to election observations, as well as to electoral assistance;
· Monitoring and analysing political and socio-economic trends since they impact on the electoral and democratic processes;
· Compiling and drafting of concept notes, donor progress reports, statements, memoranda and draft decisions,
· Drafting of policy papers, research papers, speeches and other documents as may be needed by the leadership of the department within the ambits of the Units election mandate
· Leading and Assisting in the preparation and organization of meetings, seminars and workshops on elections and democracy; and election observation activities
· Establishing and maintaining relations with Member States, relevant institutions and African Union representations.
· Performs any other task assigned by the Head of the Elections Unit
3. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCES REQUIRED
The Consultant should have:
· Minimum of 8 years of experience in handling election organization issues, including research and drafting experience in election issues.
· Experience in international affairs, preferably in an international organisation or government department,
· A masters degree in one of the following disciplines: Law, Political Science, Social Sciences or any other related discipline;
· Substantive understanding of the challenges facing elections and democracy building in Africa
4. OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED
· Excellent analytical, drafting and editing skills;
· Excellent communication and presentation skills in written and spoken English;
· Experience in analysis, as well as the preparation of assessments and briefing material
· Fluency in English and good knowledge of French;
· Computer Literacy skills: WordPerfect for Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
· Effective influencing and interpersonal skills;
5. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
6. AGE REQUIREMENT:
Candidates must preferably be between 30 and 45 years old.
7. TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:
The appointment shall be for an initial period of two (2) years, the first six (6) months of which shall be on probation. It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.
8. APPLICATION: To apply, please submit the following:
a. A detailed and updated CV,
b. Names and contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three references;
c. Certified copies of degrees, diplomas and other academic certificates
9. REMUNERATION:
Applications must be received not later than 12th October 2010 should be addressed to:
The Director of Administration and Human Resource Development
AU Commission
P.O. Box 3243
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 00251-11-5525840/5510430
E-mail: au-recruits@africa-union.org
