Consultancy to Support the Review of the African Union Election Observation Methodology and Develop Training of Trainer Curriculam/Manual for Observer

Since the late 1980s, the African Union (AU) has undertaken various election observation missions in order to strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of electoral outcomes across the African continent. Now, twenty years later, there is a need for the African Union Commission (AUC) to review and strengthen its methodology and approaches to election observation in order to enhance relevance, quality, credibility, sustainability and also responsiveness to emerging trends and challenges on the continent and beyond. The AUC has requested UNDP to provide technical and professional support to the process of reviewing the AU election observation methodology with particular emphasis on moving from the current short-term to long-term approach, and to make recommendations. UNDP is therefore rendering support to the African Union to undertake the following: Review the existing methodology to election observation which is short-term based and ad hoc, and provide or a new long-term and electoral cycle-based approach to election observation; Design new AU observer training of trainer curriculum/manual which is in synch with the electoral cycle approach and based on the BRIDGE training approach; Facilitate the pilot testing of the new methodology in one African country having elections in 2012. Towards this end, UNDP is seeking to appoint a consultant for a period of 30 days, between May and June 2012, to manage the UNDP support to the AUC.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant is therefore expected to do the following: Support the development of the AU Long-term Observation Methodology by “peer reviewing” and validating the concept note already produced by UNDP; Produce a report for submission to the UNDP and AU on the rationale for the proposed observation methodology and its implications, both financial and practical, to the AUC; Develop a new Election Observation Methodology for the AU which is long-term and Electoral Cycle Approach-based; Develop a training of trainer curriculum for the AUC election observers based on the electoral cycle approach and the BRIDGE methodology. Deliverables: AU election observation methodology reviewed and adapted to electoral cycle approach; New Election Observation Methodology proposed and a supporting report on the Methodology submitted to UNDP and AU; An Electoral Cycle Approach-based election observer training curriculum developed and manual produced.

Competencies

A proven track record of high level consultancy and advisory work for the UN, UNDP, and/or reputable international organisations; Sound knowledge of the African Union and its mandate on political governance or similar knowledge about any related organisation; Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required in order to prepare accurate and complete reports and presentations; Excellent analytical and conceptual skills; Solid experience in curriculum development and (adult) training methodology.

Required Skills and Experience

A Masters or post-masters degree in International Relations, Political Science, Law, Social Sciences or any related fields; Minimum 10 years post-qualification experience in governance, elections management/methodology (especially long-term methodology), public policy and human development issues.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Consultancy to Support the Review of the African Union Election Observation Methodology and Develop Training of Trainer Curriculam/Manual for Observers