Job Identification : 13628

Locations : Honiara, Solomon Islands

Posting Date : 09/13/2023, 08:47 AM

Apply Before : 09/20/2023, 12:59 PM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NPSA-8

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Governance

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree

Other Criteria : Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years of experience

Required Languages : English

Desired Languages : Pidgin

Vacancy Timeline

1 Week

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Since 2013 UNDP “Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project” (SECSIP) provides technical assistance to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission and other national institutions throughout the electoral cycle (pre-election; elections/polling and post-election) to support inclusive and credible electoral processes. In September 2021, the project began its third phase which is expected to end in December 2024.

SECSIP III will work towards achieving the overarching outcome of ‘more sustainable and inclusive electoral institutions and practices in support of democratic governance in Solomon Islands’ through the four following outputs:

•  Output 1: Institutional and operational capacities of the electoral authorities strengthened.
•  Output 2: Capacity of national authorities and local networks to provide voter information and awareness and to encourage civic engagement strengthened.
•  Output 3: Legal electoral framework improved.
•  Output 4: Women’s political participation and leadership around the country enhanced.

SECSIP is currently funded by the Government of Australia and UNDP. The project aims to continue building synergies and strategic partnerships with a range of national stakeholders from government and civil society to ensure that an enabling environment for credible and inclusive elections is created.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager and in consultation with the senior management of the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) and other responsible parties, the electoral legal affairs analyst will support the SIEO Task Force on Electoral Reform (TER), a group featuring senior figures from government institutions tasked to develop legal reforms in preparation for upcoming National General Elections. The Solomon Islands Government is putting priority the work of the TER to finalize amendments to the Electoral Act, Provincial Assembly Act and the Honiara City Council Act in preparation towards the 2024 National General Elections. The electoral legal affairs analyst will also contribute inputs and analysis to SECSIP project activities including reporting, analysis of operations and the conduct of workshops and lessons learned events.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Electoral Legal Affairs Analyst will report directly to UNDP SECSIP CTA/Project Manager. In addition, in daily matters, the Electoral Legal Affairs Analyst will directly support the members of the TER and the SIEC Senior Legal Advisor in their role as TER members.

Facilitate the work of the SIEO Task Force on Electoral Reform (TER)

•  Record minutes of meetings and compile reports to facilitate the internal management of the TER.
•  Organize logistical support for TER activities including travel, accommodation, invitations, and financial management for regular TER events in line with UNDP project management standards.
•  Reports on TER activates to the CTA/Project Manager in line with SECSIP project reporting demands.

Provide electoral legal analysis to the TER and SECSIP team.

•  Conduct legal research and relevant documents to facilitate the work of TER participants in their weekly meetings, regional consultations, drafting sessions, workshops, cabinet and parliamentary briefings and other TER activates.

Contribute to SECSIP project activities, analysis and outputs.

•  Ensure strong partnerships and coordination between the project with national governmental entities and civil society actors and other stakeholders, by facilitating communication and exchange of lessons learned and good practice.
•  Perform the above duties for SECSIP project activities as required.

Competencies

Core competencies:

•  Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
•  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
•  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
•  Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
•  Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
•  Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
•  Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: Business Direction & Strategy

•  Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
•  Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Development

•  Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
•  Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Legal

•  Legal Analysis Skills: The ability to digest a large amount of information and facts to frame and understand an issue, apply the legal framework to the particular set of facts and present a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the situation presented in order to deliver practical and meaningful advice. This skill includes the ability to provide an objective assessment of the case, the organization’s best arguments for proceeding and a recommended course of action. It also includes the capacity to think creatively and flexibly, within the applicable legal framework.
•  Legal Research: The ability to identify and retrieve information to support legal positions and corporate decision making from all relevant sources. In the UNDP context, this skill includes, amongst other things, proactive seeking of information in anticipation of the different angles that any given issue may present.

2030 Agenda: Peace

•  Governance: Electoral Cycle Support

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in Law, Public Administration or Political Science is required OR A first-level University Degree (bachelor’s degree) in the related fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

•  Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of work experience with the Solomon Islands electoral legal framework.
•  Excellent written communication skills in English, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize findings and contribute to reports in a succinct manner Excellent oral communication skills in English.
•  Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate and formulate project strategic actions and to oversee implementation in accordance with project document.
•  Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint),
•  Demonstrated experience of work in elections, democracy, governance or human rights
•  Demonstrated experience with UN (regional, international or bilateral organizations) is an advantage.
•  Demonstrated work experiences in working, liaising and collaborating with government representatives, civil society organizations.

Language Requirement:

•  Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and presentation skills.
•  Pidgin is desired.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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