The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
Stockholm, Sweden
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The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.
International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Programme Officer, Political Parties
The main functions of the post are:
- To support the deepening and development of the Political Parties, Participation and Representation (PPR) strategy and IDEA’s 2012-2017 institutional strategy;
- To support the design of and day-to-day reporting on the PPR annual programme and budget;
- PPR programme implementation responsibilities;
- Working on areas such as tool development, training curriculum development, research and concept development;
- Responsible for projects such as the cooperation in political competition project, the political cycle and the integration of political parties and parliaments project;
- Provide technical assistance to other IDEA teams both in the field and at headquarters, as well as to external partners;
- Responsible for PPR response to external requests;
- Follow up budget tracking on a day to day basis;
- Frequent coordination with other IDEA teams and offices across the globe.
Context:
Since 2009, following from an external evaluation of IDEA’s PPR programme and IDEA’s new multiannual institutional strategy, IDEA has recently placed increased emphasis on political parties. In the coming years, the institute will intensify its work with political parties to create the political will for reform, especially through dialogue. It will continue its shift toward working closer on the ground and directly with political actors. IDEA’s Political Parties team in Stockholm is therefore increasingly focusing on the development of practical tools, manuals, databases and training modules that can be of practical use to those engaged in political reform on the ground. In light of this, the PP team is expanding its staff with a programme officer that has the capacity to both develop these knowledge products conceptually and support their implementation through direct engagement with political actors in the field.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the immediate supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, Political Parties, Participation and Representation Programme, the incumbent performs the following duties:
- Deepen and develop the PPR strategy and IDEA’s multi-annual institutional strategy, partly taking a lead role;
- Design PPR programme components and budgets and engage in day-to-day reporting;
- On a day to day basis follow up the implementation of the PPR programme and its projects;
- To further develop the concept of cooperation in political competition through a collaborative process internally and externally and carry out follow-up to research of existing political cooperation mechanisms;
- To further develop the concept of the political cycle and the integration of parties and parliaments, through a collaborative process internally and externally;
- Support other teams throughout International IDEA in their project implementation and work to identify synergies and opportunities for collaboration;
- To engage in working with the office of the registrar of political parties in Kenya;
- Respond to external requests including electronic, in writing, by phone or visits;
- Day to day financial management and budget tracking of all projects within the PPR programme;
- Perform high level analysis and customised reporting;
- Prepare for and respond to the programme/projects audit;
- Coordinate and oversee the administration of contracts;
- Attend and present papers at conferences, seminars and workshops;
- Actively integrate the inclusion of a gender perspective in all programming activities;
- Carry out other duties as assigned by the Line Manager or any person designated by him/her.
Qualifications and skills
Level and type of formal education:
Minimum BA and preferably a MA in Political Science, Governance, Development or equivalent.
Professional experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years experience working within the field of democracy/governance support;
- Relevant experience in democracy/governance support, in the conceptualization of projects, in the design of project and programme strategies, in project management, and in content development will be highly considered;
- Experience working with political party and parliamentary support in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East or Latin America for at least 3 years. Preferably with field experience;
- Relevant practical experience from political party or parliamentary work at a national level is highly preferred;
- Relevant experience from an international organization in the work of democracy assistance and/or a regional organization would be an asset
Functional competencies:
- Political maturity;
- Personal initiative and creativity;
- Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills;
- Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills;
- Excellent social and inter-relational skills, a bridge-builder and facilitator of dialogue;
- Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective;
- Good ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication;
- Familiarity to international actors in the field of democracy and governance support;
- Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partner organisations;
- Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of political party support;
- Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams;
- Experience in working with Results Based Management or Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation processes;
- Political party training design and implementation experience preferred.
Work relationships:
- Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment. Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive;
- Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ), always looking for potential to create joint initiatives;
- Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts;
- Engages with external partners constructively in international policy networks and through advocacy.
Difficulty of work:
- The incumbent is expected to show a high level of political maturity, professionalism, personal initiative and creativity;
- S/he will also be expected to possess and continuously update her/his knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of democracy support and in particular support to political parties and parliaments;
- S/he should be able to work under tight deadlines and to cope with situations of stress and in addition should be willing to travel on official missions;
- The development of concepts for knowledge products is complex and intellectually demanding work;
- The programme officer is expected to play a coordinating role in a large network of teams, regional offices, field-offices and partner organisations across the globe;
- Finally, the position demands political sensitivity and an antenna for detecting political challenges and opportunities.
Language skills:
- English: Fluent written and oral;
- Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.
Computer skills:
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.
Criteria for Professional Performance
The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:
- Be a Facilitator of Change;
- Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive;
- Be a Model of Integrity;
- Celebrate Diversity;
- Be a Team Worker/Builder;
- Strive for Success and Excellence;
- Plan and Organize.
Terms of Contract:
Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.
Deadline for Applications:
Applications should be submitted no later than 01 April 2012.
International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.
Should internet not be an option, applications can be submitted to International IDEA by fax: +46-20 24 22 or by post: International IDEA, SE-103 34, Stockholm, Sweden.
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