ICT SPECIALIST (DEP), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

ICT SPECIALIST (DEP)

Location :

Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA

Application Deadline :

27-Dec-13

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Post Level :

P-4

Languages Required :

English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Jan-2014

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Background

Tanzania has held four credible general elections since the reintroduction of multi-party politics in 1992. Citizens and the government are eager to maintain this track record and to further strengthen democratic practice in Tanzania. Looking to the 2015 general election, government has undertaken early and comprehensive preparations for the electoral processes. Since receipt of official requests for UN assistance to the election cycle leading to the 2015 general election from the National Election Commission and Zanzibar Electoral Commission, a UN Needs Assessment Mission recommended the development of a project in support of the national efforts. In addition, in 2014 the United Republic of Tanzania will likely conduct a first national referendum on a new constitution. The national EMBs and other stakeholders in preparing for these critical events have requested the support of UNDP to provide technical support to the preparation and execution of the referendum. To this end, the Democratic Empowerment Project (DEP) is a four year (2013-2016) UNDP, UN One Fund and other donor-funded project with the overall aim of contributing to Tanzania's UNDAP's Outcome 7: i.e. 'key institutions of democracy, (i.e. EMBs, etc.) effectively implement their election and political functions'. UN Women and UNESCO are implementing partners in a One UN Country Team context.

Project Objectives

The DEP seeks to promote democracy and contribute to the realization of the following four objectives:

• Capacity of key democratic institutions (EMBs, CRC, RPP, etc.) enhanced to support and promote legal and institutional reform in the context of the on-going constitutional reform process and beyond;
• Capacity of the EMBs to conduct credible elections enhanced through strategic, technical and operational support and improved EMB engagement with stakeholders (i.e. political parties, CSOs, and the media) to foster a democratic environment;
• Inclusive participation in elections and politics enhanced through the empowerment of women, youth and PWDs;
• National peace infrastructure enhanced to mitigate and prevent election-related conflicts, including violence against women in elections.

Project Management

The DEP will be executed directly by UNDP and implemented under the overall guiding principle of national ownership and leadership in the electoral process. The international assistance provided should be considered as an extension of, and a complement to, national resources and is intended to support national management and coordination structures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Technical Advisory Services;
• Development of ICT Management System;
• Management and Administration of ICT Management System;
• Knowledge Management and Sharing.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direction of the CTA, and in close collaboration with the DEP Project Manager and other project staff, the Election ICT Specialist will provide advice and support on all matters relating to ICT infrastructure, system upgrades and equipment requirements. S/he will provide the EMBs (NEC and ZEC) with advisory support aimed at strengthening ICT capacity to upgrade and maintain the voter register and other election management systems. The Specialist will provide support and assistance to further strengthen the institutional capacity of the EMBs to effectively manage election cycles and deliver technically sound elections. Technical Advisory Services:

• Provide technical leadership and support for the implementation of ICT strategies, and introduction and implementation of new technologies for general management information systems and election management systems (results, candidate and other election specific systems) within the EMBs;
• Determine project requirements for external ICT expertise, support its contracting and delivery of outputs;
• Prepare ICT capacity development plan for NEC and ZEC, and assist both EMBs in strategic and operational planning for achieving optimal ICT management capability.

Development of ICT Management System

• Support for the development and updates of the EMB annual ICT plans and road map. Support development and updating of the business continuity plan, disaster recovery plan, ICT infrastructure and training plans. Follow up on their implementation;
• Provide technical advice to NEC and ZEC on the requirements, specifications and compatibility of ICT infrastructure, equipment, database storage, electronic management systems, training, etc.

Management and Administration of ICT Management System

• Support the conduct of market research and analysis, and introduction of new technology by NEC and ZEC, updating and improvement of office systems;
• Provide advice on and assistance in procurement of new ICT equipment for NEC and ZEC, provision of technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets;
• Support the application by NEC and ZEC of national and international best-practice in electoral ICT, particularly relating to voter registration, including data capture and entry, data back-up and data retrieval;
• Support the ICT Departments of NEC/ZEC to address technical issues relating to voter register anomalies, omissions and administrative transfers and deletions.

Knowledge Management and Sharing

• Provide periodic reports and updates on the implementation of ICT-related project activities, document key issues arising, achievements, lessons learned;
• Assist and advise the EMBs on methods to harmonize and link voter registration data;
• Provide ICT support and assistance to the project as and when required.

Impact of Results

The key results of the post will contribute to the UN's efforts to consolidating democratic structures and systems of good governance in Tanzania by strengthening political, civil society and electoral systems that enhance effective participation, representation and greater political tolerance.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the DEP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Functional Competencies: Technical Expertise

• Specialist knowledge and high level advisory experience in the area of ICT and Elections, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development and governance issues;
• Strong understanding of political dynamics in government, civil society and the donor community in developing countries.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on electoral issues;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
• Ability to apply theory to the specific country context.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including government, donors and civil society;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in computer science, Information Communication Technology, or other relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years' experience with ICT for electoral processes and election management assistance (preferably with an EMB or a UN agency);
• Extensive practical experience in election ICT operations, planning, management, including the development/deployment of (biometric) candidate and results management databases;
• Knowledge of System Design; Applications Development and Client Server systems; Internet technologies and development of distributed systems; Microsoft Office, MS Access, SQL Server and Oracle; At least one report generation program (such as Crystal Reports or Microsoft Reporting Services); Cryptographic systems (desirable);
• Institutional capacity building experience, training, project design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills desirable;
• Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa an advantage;

Language Requirements:

• Fluent written and spoken English essential;
• Knowledge of Kiswahili an asset.

Other:

• Willingness to travel frequently in Tanzania and to work extensive hours and under pressure.

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