ICT Senior Specialist

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

The project supports the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) as mandated by Proclamation No. 1133/2011. NEBE is responsible for conducting elections, organizing referendums, and regulating political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE aims to strengthen its institutional capacity, particularly focusing on human resource development, and strengthen the integrity of electoral processes. The United Nations has been a consistent supporter of Ethiopia's electoral processes since the country transitioned to a multi-party system in 1993. UN support, in collaboration with national and international partners, has been instrumental in enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral processes. This project aligns with NEBE's objectives to improve institutional and operational capacity, engage civil society organizations, facilitate electoral reform initiatives, enhance women's participation, and address election-related violence.

As per its Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028 and the newly adopted amendment to the electoral legal framework, NEBE is seeking to implement technology in the electoral process. To date, NEBE has developed, in-house, several electoral applications, including voter and candidates’ registration systems, logistics and training management systems, and poll worker management systems. Other systems are under development. Moving forward, it is important that all systems are fully functional and integrated into NEBE’s working processes. To ensure efficiency, all applications need to communicate with each other and be set up to ensure the integrity, security, and reliability of the ICT infrastructure.

UNDP therefore seeks a National UN Volunteer Expert to support NEBE in successfully implementing technological solutions for the upcoming 2026 General Elections. The services required will directly contribute to the fulfillment of NEBE's objectives and the overall project goals.

The ICT Senior Specialist will oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of technology systems related to election and corporate processes within NEBE. This includes managing Election Management Systems (EMS), voter registration technologies, and other election results systems. The role involves ensuring the integrity and security of the ICT Infrastructure, managing, coordinating, and building the capacity of the ICT staff, as well as collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance electoral technology services. Additionally, the ICT Senior Specialist must ensure that technological advancements comply with regulatory requirements as well as integrity, security, and personal data protection principles.

Overall, the ICT Senior Specialist will support NEBE with the following tasks:

• Overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of technology systems for election processes (e.g., voter registration, results processing, amongst others).
• Ensure the integrity, security, and reliability of ICT infrastructure.
• Manage and coordinate ICT staff towards a successful delivery of ICT solutions for the upcoming elections.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to enhance electoral technology services, including substantive support to awareness-raising materials, briefings, training, and other support necessary.
• Develop training manuals and provide training and support to staff/election workers on technology use.
• Developing long-term technology plans and integrating advancements in electoral technology.
• Planning and budgeting for new technologies and maintaining existing systems.
• Ensuring data confidentiality and security in voter information and election results.