Political Party Affairs and Election Operation Expert Full Time NEW

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), re-established by proclamation No. 1133/2011, is the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections, organize referendum and regulate political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE is working to boost its’ institutional strength with a special focus on enhancement of human resource capacity. Accordingly, NEBE would like to invite applicants for Political Party Affairs and Election Operation Expert position who meet the following requirements.

Required number: One

Reports to: Head of Regional Office

Duty station: Oromia regional Office

Duration: Four Months Contract with the possibility of Extension

Job Summary

The Political parties and election Expert provides assistance and guidance to political parties, fostering their development, capacity building, and effective participation in democratic processes. The Expert assists in the execution of election plans, logistics coordination, and security measures at regional level. This role involves offering support in areas such as election strategy and community engagement as well as collaborating with departments and offices at HQ and region for attaining efficient and effective resource utilization.

Duties and responsibilities

Needs Assessment:

• Conduct assessments to identify the specific needs and challenges faced by political parties, both at the organizational and grassroots levels
• Collaborate with party representatives to understand their goals, priorities, and areas requiring support.
• Collect updated zone, woreda, kebele and IDP data from regional offices
• Support the implementation of security measures to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

  Capacity Building:

• Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and seminars to enhance the skills and knowledge of party members, including leadership, campaign management, and communication strategies.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to political party leaders and candidates, supporting their personal and professional growth.
• Ensure the planned training is provided to election officials and volunteers at each level to ensure they are well prepared for their roles
• Support the effectiveness of voter registration and voter lists preparation.
• Participate in the vote counting, result tabulation, and results declaration processes, maintaining accuracy and transparency.
• Coordinating logistics, resources, and personnel to ensure smooth execution.

  Policy Development:

• Assist political parties in formulating clear and relevant policy proposals on various issues, ensuring alignment with societal needs and party ideologies.
• Facilitate policy discussions and research sessions to strengthen the parties’ understanding of critical policy areas.
• Participate in training material development for polling staffs

  Election Strategy Support:

• Provide strategic guidance on election campaigns, including voter outreach, messaging, and coalition-building strategies.
• Assist in designing campaign materials, speeches, and outreach programs to enhance the parties’ visibility and appeal to voters.
• Developing comprehensive election plans for each level of election and referendums.
• Provide an election plan, including timelines, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure and assist with the recruitment of polling staffs
• Ensure the establishment of polling stations and constituency for each level of election and referendums.

  Community Engagement:

• Support political parties in engaging with local communities, understanding their concerns, and addressing their needs effectively.
• Assist in organizing community events, town halls, and public forums to foster dialogue between party representatives and constituents.

  Organizational Development:

• Offer advice on organizational structure, membership management, and internal communication, promoting transparency and democratic decision-making processes within parties.
• Collaborate with party leaders to develop long-term strategies for organizational growth and sustainability.

  Conflict Resolution:

• Mediate internal disputes within political parties, promoting dialogue and consensus-building among conflicting factions.
• Provide conflict resolution training and resources to party members, enhancing their ability to manage internal disagreements constructively.
• Follow up on political parties’ members complaints on cases of detention, denial of use of public halls, intimidation and others

  Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain records of support activities, outcomes, and lessons learned in assisting political parties.
• Prepare reports and case studies highlighting successful interventions and best practices for knowledge sharing.
• Maintain detailed records of interactions, agreements, and outcomes related to political party’s liaison activities.
• Prepare reports, briefings, and analyses on political engagements, contributing to organizational knowledge and strategic planning.

  Election Execution:

• Assist in the execution of election plans for various levels of elections and referendums, ensuring adherence to timelines and procedures.

  Logistics and Resource Support:

• Provide support in coordinating logistics, resources, and personnel to facilitate smooth electoral operations.
• Assist in resource management and allocation.

  Security Measures:

• Support the implementation of security measures to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
• Collaborate with security agencies to ensure a secure election environment.

  Vote Counting and Results Process:

• Participate in the vote counting, result tabulation, and results declaration processes, maintaining accuracy and transparency.

  Collaboration with Departments:

• Collaborate with other departments and regional offices to ensure coordinated and efficient electoral operations.

  Ethical Guidelines:

• Uphold ethical principles, including impartiality, transparency, and neutrality, throughout all election and referendum-related activities.

  Resource Management:

• Assist in the planning and management of resources and budgets for election operations.

Education and Work Experience:

• Masters or BA degree in political Science, Development Studies, Human Rights, law, Project Management, Management, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration or any related field and other related fields
• 5 years for Masters or 7 years for BA

Know-How (Skills) (Technical competencies):

• In-depth knowledge of political systems, electoral processes, procedures, regulations and political party dynamics.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and mentoring skills, with the ability to build rapport and credibility with diverse political stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and across cultural contexts.
• Ethical mindset with a commitment to transparency, impartiality and democratic values.
• Strong coordination and task execution skills.
• Awareness of security measures related to elections.
• Problem-solving skills for addressing operational challenges.
• Basic financial management skills for resource allocation.
• Proficiency in local and Federal languages is preferable.
• Not a member of a political party.

Behavioural competencies:

• Adaptability/ flexibility
  • Team Player
  • Conflict resolution
  • Problem Solving
  • Analytical thinking
  • Collaborations
  • Working under stressful conditions