General Information

• • Job Title:
    Deputy Country Director/Senior Electoral Administration Specialist, Mali
  • Location:
    • Bamako, 00000
    • Mali
  • Employee Type:
    LCN
  • Job Category:
    Senior Manager
  • Industry:
    Governance, Democracy, Elections
  • Minimum Experience:
    10 Years
  • Required Degree:
    4 Year Degree
  • Manage Others:
    Yes

About International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES):

IFES advances democracy for a better future. We collaborate with civil society, public institutions, and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for all. Our technical assistance and applied research develop trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections; effective and accountable governing institutions; civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and innovative ways in which technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries, from developing to mature democracies. In accordance with IFES’ approach: A society is able to reach its full potential in a world in which people of all genders are fully engaged as equal partners in their families, workplaces, and communities. Based on international human rights standards and best practices, IFES promotes political participation, justice, and equal rights around the world. IFES reflects these values in its programming and workplace culture.

The greatest assets of IFES are our team members. IFES offers competitive benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Every member of the IFES team is responsible for carrying out the mission of IFES and integrating IFES values into their work every day: Commitment to Excellence, Effective Communication, High Quality Decision-Making, Accountability, Teamwork and Collaboration.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Deputy Country Director/Senior Electoral Administration Specialist will provide technical support to key institutions in election activities including capacity building, legal reform, electoral operations, electoral dispute resolution, voter registration, inclusion, strategic communications, and voter education. Under the supervision of the Country Director, DCD/SEAS will support all aspects of program implementation, including managing partnerships with relevant government agencies, key stakeholders, and donor agencies. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:   

Technical direction and program implementation:

• Build and foster organizational and technical capacity of electoral management bodies (EMBs), including the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Independent Authority for Election Management (AIGE), and the Constitutional Court.
• Conduct detailed and ongoing assessment of the EMB’s capacity and establish a technical assistance plan based on a proposed election calendar.
• Advise on the general implementation of electoral activities, providing support to improve electoral systems and procedures.
• Provide strategic support and assistance in integrating the elections component with other components of the program.
• Liaise with other election assistance implementers, and the donor and diplomatic community to coordinate activities and maximize the impact of collective technical assistance efforts.
• Serve as the lead expert in the implementation of the electoral integrity management plan.
• Develop and provide advice on training programs on relevant revisions to the electoral laws and regulations.
• Develop an electoral agent training program, including training materials and guidebooks.
• Conduct strategic planning workshops and, using the BRIDGE methodology, lead training for members and staff of EMBs as required.
• Facilitate roundtable discussions with EMBs, international stakeholders and other relevant bodies on electoral framework and implementation issues as required.
• Liaise with other election assistance implementers, and the donor and diplomatic community to coordinate activities and maximize the impact of collective technical assistance efforts.
• Develop and maintain constructive working relationships with national counterparts, national and international assistance providers, and democracy and governance organizations and strategic partners and civil society and donors.
• Evaluate strategies and activities on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum impact, proactively identifying appropriate next steps.
• Draft activity reports, collect monitoring and evaluation data, and participate in the drafting of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports.
• When called upon by the Country Director, represent IFES at meetings and events, including conferences with stakeholders.
• In conjunction with IFES Mali staff, support the organization of workshops, trainings and meetings related to the electoral process in line with the overall framework of the IFES Mali project.
• Collaborate closely with short-term consultants to ensure IFES work is carried out in a timely, coordinated, and professional manner.
• Support administrative processes in the office and adherence to IFES’ policies and procedures, in tandem with the Country Director.
• Other duties as assigned by the Country Director.

Scope: 

Provides broad technical and organizational development expertise to assure successful achievement of goals and objectives. Monitors and evaluates interim results and develops contingency plans if objectives are off track. Demonstrates mastery of electoral administration, with comprehensive knowledge of professional best practices. Uses global/ industry outlook to determine impact on IFES’ strategy. Applies thought leadership and innovations to work approaches. Support Country Director in the technical implementation of IFES programming as it related to electoral technical assistance. Oversee varied activities and processes to support effective project implementation, reporting and compliance.

Decision making/Problem solving:

Identify risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of operational goals. Consult with internal and external stakeholders to identify, propose, and build consensus around the best solutions. Complex decision-making subject to management review. Participate in the development and implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.

Relationship:

Maintain collaborative working relationship with senior-level stakeholders within and outside IFES to ensure timely and successful achievement of project goals and objectives. Represent IFES with external contacts at professional and government levels in the absence of the Country Director. 

Supervision exercised:   

Provides oversight and management of host country national staff, consultants, and field experts, as assigned, or delegated by the Country Director, in order to complete the project’s work plan.

EDUCATION: 

• A bachelor’s degree required (graduate degree preferred) in a field of study such as political sciences, social sciences, law, development economics, international development, public/business administration, or governance or another relevant field.

EXPERIENCE:  

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience directly related to technical assistance for electoral administration, systems, and processes in developing countries.
• Extensive experience in election systems and administration, with specific experience in electoral training and capacity-building of EMBs.
• On-site and medium/long-term capacity-building of election administration staff.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong professional and collaborative management skills.
• Experience with implementing electoral cycle projects in post-conflict settings preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective training materials.
• BRIDGE certification preferred.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: 

• Prior experience working in an international office in a politically sensitive and challenging environment.
• Strong professional and collaborative skills when working with a team.
• Ability and skills to promote and inspire effective collaboration between individuals, organizations, and networks, demonstrating strong diplomacy skills and cultural and gender sensitivities.
• Strong consultative, collaborative, and participatory way of working.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills to meet the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience living and working in West Africa strongly preferred. Knowledge of local/regional politics and development preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  

Fluency in written and spoken French required, fluency in English strongly preferred.

TRAVEL: 

As the need arises to support the project.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Tagged as: Election, IFES, Mali, Manager