IFES is currently recruiting for a Deputy Country Director/Senior Electoral Advisor (DCD/SEA) for its work in Kenya, under an FCDO-funded program entitled Kenya Elections Support Programme (KESP). The programme is expected to build upon electoral reforms previously supported by FCDO in Kenya to contribute to a credible, peaceful and inclusive 2022 general election in Kenya.
PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:
The DCD/SEA will provide technical support to key election institutions, in areas such as legal framework reform, strategic and operational planning, communications, voter education, and others. Under the supervision of the Country Director, the DCD/SEA will support all aspects of program implementation, including managing partnerships with relevant government agencies, key stakeholders and donor agencies.
Job Responsibilities:
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide technical assistance to election institutions in all aspects of the electoral process as identified and included in the programme;
- Develop and maintain constructive relationships with key interlocutors, including but not limited to the electoral commission, civil society, donors, as well as democracy and governance implementers;
- 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;
- Produce high-level analyses and outputs, such as articles, briefings, programmatic reports on key electoral and policy issues in Kenya;
- In collaboration with the Country Director, maintain a standing policy brief on the state of electoral reform in Kenya;
- Contribute to IFES programmatic reporting, including quarterly programmatic reports to the donor;
- Strategize and contribute to IFES Kenya technical and programmatic field assessments;
- Facilitate roundtable discussions with Election Management Bodies, international advisors and other relevant bodies on electoral framework and implementation issues as required
- Evaluate strategies and activities on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum impact, proactively identifying appropriate next steps;
- When called upon by Country Director, represent IFES at meetings and events, including conferences with stakeholders;
- In conjunction with IFES Kenya staff, support the organization of workshops, trainings and meetings related to the electoral process in line with the overall framework of the KESP project;
- Provide extensive review of technical outputs from KESP partners in contribution to the overall objectives of the program;
- Collaborate closely with short-term consultants to ensure IFES work is carried out in a timely, coordinated, and professional manner;
- Other relevant tasks as requested by Country Director.
POSITION SCOPE: Manage and perform highly technical work requiring ingenuity and capacity to evaluate and respond to new and changing issues. 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 program/project goals. Analyze issues, problems or opportunities and propose appropriate courses of action, based on knowledge of professional principles and best practices. Participate in the development and implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.
RELATIONSHIPS: 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: Oversee international and national electoral consultants and field experts in order to complete the project’s work plan and participate in project monitoring and evaluation.
SKILLS and SPECIFICATIONS:
- Extensive knowledge of all technical aspects of the electoral process;
- Exceptional communication skills with strong ability to deliberate complex political issues and build consensus;
- Extensive knowledge of the political environment and players in Kenya;
- Ability to remain highly organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines;
- Ability to initiate, conceptualize and complete complex tasks with limited supervision;
- Excellent writing and reporting skills;
- Willingness to adhere to all principles of confidentiality and impartiality;
- Previous experience working in international organizations and in a politically sensitive and challenging environment;
- Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s Degree in relevant field;
- Minimum of ten years of relevant working experience;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- Experience working on policy, democracy and governance programs;
- Excellent knowledge of political issues and elections;
- Excellent knowledge of Kenya’s civil society, Election Management Body and policy landscape and stakeholders;
- Demonstrated ability to quickly build and consolidate relationships;
- Strong leadership, problem solving, coordination, and consensus building skills is a must;
- Experience with diverse donors including USAID, DFID, and/or Global Affairs Canada;
- Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:** Fluency in written and spoken English required. Proficiency in at least one other language in use within assigned project location is strongly preferred.
TRAVEL:** Travel may be required up to 15% of time.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:** Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”
How to apply:
https://www.vs4.vscyberhosting.com/ifes/Careers.aspx?req=21%3a048&type=JOBDESCR