Associate Programme Officer, Elections - Ethiopia

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – International IDEA – is an Inter-Governmental Organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. The Institute acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing global comparative knowledge resources and tools, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests, specifically in electoral processes, constitution building processes, political participation and representation, climate change and democracy and digitalization and democracy.

International IDEA is leading a consortium in implementing an EU-funded, continental electoral support project, titled ‘Strengthening Pan-African Capacities for Electoral Observation and Assistance’. The consortium led by International IDEA includes the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). This is a three-year project with an overall objective of contributing to improved transparency and credibility of elections in Africa while contributing towards progress in the achievement of SDG 16.6 at the global level.

To achieve the set objectives, the project will deliver capacity building initiatives through: advisory services, technical assistance, training, peer learning, mentoring, development of knowledge products and development of digital tools. The project will work primarily with the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC); electoral support units or divisions of Regional Economic Communities; continental and regional networks of electoral management bodies (EMBs); selected EMBs at national level; and electoral support providers.

The Associate Programme Officer will support the day-to-day planning and implementation of the programme outputs. The incumbent will also support background research on key thematic issues within the project; support analysis of the developments in electoral processes across Africa, with specific focus on the role of regional institutions in observation and technical assistance to their Member States; advise programme team members on the implications of such development for the achievement programme outcomes. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supports the provision of technical assistance to regional institutions (including the AU, RECs and regional EMB networks) and selected national-level electoral stakeholders, including EMBs and civil society organizations (CSOs);
2. Engages with project partners, national institutions and other stakeholders as may be required;
3. Supports the programme team in the design, implementation and monitoring of training programmes, conferences, seminars and workshops in accordance with the workplan and the project’s results framework;
4. Supports the team to identify synergies and partnership opportunities for the implementation of electoral technical assistance-related activities in the Programme;
5. Conducts basic research, analysis and presents information on electoral issues and activities, to include collecting, analyzing and presenting data and information gathered from diverse sources;
6. Contributes to the design and development of knowledge products; supports the team in the research and development of research papers, social media posts, op-eds and articles;
7. Maintains a database and follows up on beneficiaries of International IDEA’s elections-related trainings and technical support to document the implementation of learning from the training;
8. Contributes to the creation of mechanisms and opportunities that allow for the exchange of information and experiences in the country and regional programme;
9.  Supports the deployment of experts and consultants and liaises with partners to support the achievement of electoral technical support-related objectives of the project.Supports the team on key procurement processes for experts and consultants in the project.
10. Assists in identifying issues of common interest and supports the implementation of related activities for democracy promotion;
11. Contributes to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme, through the collection of data from beneficiaries and other stakeholders, and the documenting of outcomes and impact of International IDEA’s work on electoral processes in Africa;
12. Contributes to the preparation of periodic project reports in line with the project results framework, while ensuring disaggregation and profiling of gender, youth and other vulnerable persons;
13. Ensures adherence to the communication and visibility plan of the project during the planning and implementation of EP activities.

General Profile

• Requires good knowledge, excellent skills and relevant experience in the field of elections, democracy, digitalization and gender;
• Contributes to assigned programmatic tasks in different aspects of the project life cycle, more specifically will conduct research and analysis, will draft various documents (articles, concept notes, agreements, etc.) and will support the projects vis-à-vis all internal and external stakeholders;
• Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required; Interacts successfully with multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• Is expected to travel extensively within Africa;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines and donor rules;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA's core values: Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a rights-based approach and a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Senior Adviser, Electoral Processes

Education and Experience

• University degree in political science, law, sociology, international relations, development studies, peace studies or other related field in the social sciences or humanities;
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience working in the field of elections, democracy and governance, political participation and representation and gender;
• Proven experience in engaging, cultivating and influencing stakeholders is essential;
• Demonstrated experience implementing an electoral support project is required;
• Knowledge and experience in project management is required;
• Previous experience of managing EU-funded projects is considered an advantage;
• Experience collaborating with the AU, regional economic communities, and EMB networks is considered an advantage;
• Experience of working in an international context, e.g. in an intergovernmental organization, is considered an advantage;
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French, or any other AU official language is considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.
• Fixed term appointment until the 31st December 2026.
• Remuneration - USD 1,796 (base salary) per month.

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Ethiopia for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CEST) on 16 April 2025. 
• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.