Decentralized Results and Tally Advisor Support to the Electoral Cycle in Sierra Leone 2011 – 2014

Since 2004, UNDP and its partners have supported the Sierra Leonean National Electoral Commission (NEC) to implement a strategic planning and reform process, as well as prepare for and administer the 2007 elections – the country's second national election since the end of the 10-year civil war in 2002, and the first without the supervision and major logistical support of the international community and UN peacekeepers. With the successful conduct of these elections, and local elections and by-elections held since, Sierra Leone has made important gains in the consolidation of its post-conflict democracy and towards self-sufficient administration of its own elections. More specifically, the Programme seeks to support the sustainability of know-how and the development of the short and long-term capacities of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC), the Electoral Courts, civil society organizations involved in electoral observation and education, communication and women’s participation in elections and politics, political parties, the media and security forces. The multifaceted Programme also seeks to support the NEC to strengthen its regional/district offices, which includes establishment of a decentralized results tally system. With respect to election results, given the logistics challenges in Sierra Leone, it currently takes approximately two weeks for results of elections to be physically transported from polling stations to the national data center in Freetown. By NEC estimate decentralizing results tally centers to the regional level the time between the polling and announcement of results could be cut by one-third. This would reduce the period of uncertainty between polling and the official results announcement during which electoral violence can erupt. The programme is therefore seeking to support the NEC in building decentralized results centers at the regional level and in enhancing the capacity of a cadre of professionals at the district level who can be called on to administer future elections. At this stage of the implementation, UNDP is seeking services of an experienced Decentralized Results and Tally Advisor for the Programme. Under the guidance and the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the Support to the Electoral Cycle in Sierra Leone 2011 – 2014 Programme and in close collaboration with the NEC Sierra Leone will advise the NEC Operations and IT Departments. The Decentralized Results and Tally Advisor will be responsible for day–to-day advisory to the NEC Sierra Leone consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. S/he will provide strategic advice on the establishment, logistics and operation of decentralized results system in relation to the 2012 Sierra Leone Elections.

Duties and Responsibilities

Deliverables/Final Products Expected: The 50% of deliverables under this assignment are to be completed within three (3) months. Whereas 100% completion for deliverables would require an extension of the contract subject to assessment of the work performed by the advisor. The main outputs of the work will result in: Necessary planning for decentralized counting and tallying system for 2012 Sierra Leone Elections; Regional tally centers operational and decentralized counting and tallying system in place V-Sat Linking of four Regional Result and Tallying Centers with the National Results Centre; Development of a comprehensive procurement plan for a decentralized counting and tallying system for Sierra Leone; and Days taken to publish the final elections results reduced as compared to 2007 elections Impact of Results: Successful implementation of decentralized counting and tallying system for Sierra Leone’s 2012 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Elections through successful planning and implementation of operational and training plans for decentralized counting and tallying system Functions / Key Results Expected Summary of key functions: Working in partnership with the NEC, specifically the NEC Planning Cell, Directors of Operations and IT Departments, UNDP Decentralized Results and Tally Advisor is expected to provide advice on: All necessary planning in relation to the decentralized counting and tallying for 2012 Sierra Leone Elections; Establishing a system for decentralized counting and tallying of preliminary results at four NEC regional offices and National Headquarters; Implementing the decentralized results operation from intake to completion of the count for the country or assigned region; Identifying requirements of decentralized results system for four regional tally centers and HQ based results consolidation centre; Reviewing existing Results Database program, if exists, and make recommendations for its refinement and enhancement; Developing the decentralized count and tally processes for the 2012 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Elections making recommendations on operational issues, conducting needs and risk assessments, developing data security protocols; Drafting count and tally procedures, related training programs and related forms for decentralized count and tally centers; Implement a training program with relevant IT and Operations personnel on the Results Database program and its various applications including results search and publication tools; Developing training modules for NEC staff which could also be use for political parties, observers and other stakeholders as mean of informing them of the new decentralized counting and tallying system; Integrating decentralized count processes with operational, training and capacity building programs in the NEC; Training and management of decentralized results system as required at the regional and national levels; Building consensus within the NEC and external stakeholders as needed on the count and tally processes; Linking four Regional Result and Tallying Centers with the National Results Centre; and Monitoring and maintenance of IT equipments used for decentralized counting and tallying system

Competencies

Competencies and Critical Success Factors Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Treats all people fairly without favoritism Functional Competencies: Leadership: Capacity to supervise a multidisciplinary high level team and to supervise programme activities. Technical support: Technical knowledge and expertise regarding decentralized results and tally with planning and implementation experience in decentralized result systems. Planning and management: needs to demonstrate a proven track record in the field of decentralized results and tally system with IT focus, institutional capacity development and a high level planning and implementation experience advising institutions in aforementioned areas. Communication: Ability to write clearly and concisely, with excellent oral communication skills. Team work: Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in multi-cultural environment Duration of the consultancy The task is expected to take 3 months effective from the signing of the contract and payments will be based on deliverables defined under section III above. Payment Modalities Payment to the consultant will be made on monthly basis upon certification of satisfactory completion by the Chief Technical Advisor of the Programme. Evaluation of Criteria and Weighting The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100% out of a total score for technical criteria equals 70% and 30% for financial criteria. The technical evaluation will include the following: Background and minimum educational qualification as defined above-10% Practical previous experience relevant to the TOR - 30% Substantial professional knowledge and experience in electoral in the field of decentralized results and tally system with IT focus implementation planning at international level-50% English language fluency -10% Application Procedure Qualified and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should contain the following: Completed P11 form Financial proposal

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A bachelor university degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, International relations, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, or a related field. Experience: 12 years of functionally-related professional electoral experience. Previous experience of working with electoral management body. Proven track record in the field of decentralized results and tally system with IT focus, institutional capacity development and a high level advisory experience. The post requires considerable cultural and political sensitivity and an ability to meet deadlines. Language: Good writing and oral communication skills in English.

Decentralized Results and Tally Advisor Support to the Electoral Cycle in Sierra Leone 2011 – 2014