The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.
Programme Officer - Democracy Assessment, Analysis & Advisory Unit
Context
International IDEA produces comparative knowledge in its key areas of expertise: electoral processes, constitution building, political participation and representation, and democracy and development, as well as on democracy as it relates to gender, diversity, and conflict and security.
IDEA brings this knowledge to national and local actors who are working for democratic reform, and facilitates dialogue in support of democratic change.
In its work, IDEA aims for:
- Increased capacity, legitimacy and credibility of democracy
- More inclusive participation and accountable representation
- More effective and legitimate democracy cooperation
The Global Programmes team (GP) focuses on producing comparative knowledge resources; providing substantive support to Regional Programs (RPs) as needed in support of democratic reform processes; and strives to position IDEA as a key contributor and convener on the global democracy agenda and debate.
To achieve this mandate, GP will establish a Democracy Assessment, Analysis and Advisory Unit that will bring together the current State of Democracy assessment programme and the three cross-cutting themes i.e. Democracy and Gender, Democracy & Diversity and Democracy, Conflict and Security into one new team.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the immediate supervision of the Head of Democracy Assessment, Analysis & Advisory Unit, the incumbent performs the following duties:
- Undertaking and coordinating research and policy relevant analysis of democratic trends and developments at all levels of society around the world; and ensuring integration of gender, diversity and conflict and security perspectives in such analysis as appropriate;
- Making research data and findings on the quality of democracy more accessible and understandable for democracy practitioners, policy makers and influencers;
- Providing training and technical support for the conduct of citizen-led assessments around the world to representatives from governments, academia and civil society organisations;
- Developing comparative knowledge resources and analysis tools, such as web-based applications, handbooks, policy papers, and articles;
- Coordinating DAAA knowledge resources production, including content development, quality control, translations, and the development of outreach and dissemination strategies;
- Ensuring that all cross cutting themes (gender, diversity and conflict/security) are effectively integrated in IDEA´s programmatic work including in the assessment and analytical work that will be undertaken by the unit;
- Supporting the further strengthening of institutional partnerships and contributions to practitioner and expert networks in the area of democracy assessment and analysis;
- Supporting the DAAA Programme development in terms of project design, planning and budgeting, including budget monitoring;
- Organizing and attending international conferences, round tables, workshops, and other related events;
- Contributing to the further development of the (future) DAAA section of International IDEA’s website and/or the State of Democracy website and relevant social media networks;
- Managing and/or collaborating with researchers and consultants, and supervising interns;
- Working in collaborative ways with other IDEA programmes in HQ and the field, ensuring synergies across relevant areas of IDEA work.
General Profile
- Requires in-depth knowledge, excellent skills and relevant experience in the area of democracy assessment and analysis;
- Has experience in integrating of gender, diversity and conflict and security perspectives in research and/or other analytical work;
- Will contribute significantly to assigned projects all along the project life cycle, i.e. from project design and funding to project assessment; will lead meetings and discussions, supervise publications and review input from external providers;
- Has contributed to publications on the relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
- Can work with minimal guidance and supervision;
- Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit, and collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
- Acts as a model or mentor for less experienced colleagues;
- Can be expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
- Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
- Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.
Reporting Line
- Head of Democracy Assessment, Analysis & Advisory Unit
Programmatic Knowledge
- Has in-depth knowledge of democracy assessment and political analysis methodologies and approaches, and a good understanding of democratic trends and developments at all levels of society.
Operational Knowledge, skills and experience
- Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;
- Has a good understanding of how democratic trends and global developments can inform and shape the design of new project and innovate existing ones;
- Contributes to the research of information on donors and partners, preparation of reports and project briefs, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, and all other activities related to resource mobilization and partnership building;
- Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management in past experiences.
Leadership
- No people management responsibility over permanent staff;
- Acts as a model and resource for more junior colleagues;
- May assume project management responsibilities.
Problem Solving
- Identifies and resolves complex problems; approaches issues with new perspectives; analyses situations from a multitude of intervening factors.
Impact
- Has a clear impact on the programme development and delivery;
- Can also impact other teams and projects in related fields.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Liaises to all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her project; acts and is perceived as an initiator of relevant communication to solve issues;
- Drives projects and assignments through communicative personal energy and engagement;
- Can explain sensitive information with diplomacy, and build consensus.
Education and Experience
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in political science, social sciences, development studies or in a related subject;
- Five (5) years of professional experience, including research and (data) analysis experience in democratic governance and development, or related areas;
- Work experience in professional handling of research tasks and information, writing and conveying knowledge to groups of users;
- Field experience in contexts of relevance for the programme (Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Pacific, wider Europe) is highly desirable;
- Fluency in English, knowledge of Arabic, Russian, Spanish or French would be an advantage.
Terms of Contract:
Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment. Salary - EUR 4 745 net, per month.
Deadline for Applications:
Applications should be submitted http://idea.easycruit.com/vacancy/1409158/25038?iso=gb online no later than 02 July 2015.
International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality
