Chief Technical Advisor

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

BACKGROUND

With the objective of contributing to strengthening electoral and democratic processes in Bolivia (Plurinational State of), the “Culture of Peace and Strengthening of the Electoral Management Body – Organo Electoral Plurinacional-OEP)” project focuses on improving the credibility of the electoral process and preventing and / or mitigating any potential for electoral violence. This measure also supports the institutional strengthening of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Departmental Electoral Tribunals (TED), by providing technical assistance to the electoral vocals and ensuring the implementation of the project. The Project contributes to the comparative experience of the United Nations and its good practices in electoral matters, involving the actors responsible for decision-making in the electoral process. Secondly, the project supports and advises on strategic planning and the implementation of strategic communication related to the electoral process. Comparative experiences will also be provided in the area of inclusion of underrepresented groups, women and indigenous groups, in the electoral process. Following the electoral processes of general elections in October 2020 and regional election in March 2021, the project went through a revision to redefine its results and areas of support for its third phase, the period between June 2021 and June 2024, the year before elections. The third phase of the project identifies as areas of support: (i) institutional strengthening; (ii) consolidation of intercultural democracy and (iii) electoral justice.

In this context, the project is looking for a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) to provide technical electoral advice and ensure the delivery of the project activities according to the work plan. The CTA reports to the Resident Representative (RR) and liaises with the Electoral Assistance Division (EAD) and the electoral UNDP teams in headquarters ‘offices.

Position Purpose:

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative (RR) in Bolivia the CTA will be responsible for the overall planning, management and implementation of the “Culture of Peace and strengthening of the Electoral Management Body – Organo Electoral Plurinacional”, and the achievement of its results. He/she will work in close consultation with the UNDP’s Governance Programme Specialist, the TSE, TEDs, the relevant Ministries and with other relevant stakeholders in order to promote the most credible and transparent electoral processes based on international standards and good practices.

The CTA will set the strategic direction for the electoral assistance, provide expertise and technical assistance, manage the project’s day-to-day activities and ensure proper resource mobilization and management of financial and human resources.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide expert technical advice on elections and capacity building:

Provide technical advice to High level national actors (TSE vocales, Ministers, the Judiciary, Political Parties, Media and Organizations of the Civil Society) on the electoral process;
Provide electoral and technical advisory support to UNDP Country Office: RR and Programme Specialist on Governance.
Liaise and foster strategic cooperation with other partners to reinforce the dialogue between the stakeholders of the process.
Advise stakeholders on electoral best practices in general and in relation to measures for ensuring transparency, inclusion and knowledge-transfer, and measures to advance the participation of women and the youth in the electoral process;
Based on the analysis of the political situation in Bolivia, consistently ensure that all aspects of technical assistance are politically informed. Provide electoral inputs into regular analytical briefing papers on the political situation and provide recommendations for recalibrating interventions if they are deemed to carry a high level of political risk.
Provide technical support and strategic guidance to the project staff deployed in La Paz and departments; oversee the management of the team;
Identify any additional needs and ensure that they are adequately addressed through the deployment of relevant consultant services. Provide technical support and strategic guidance to the different consultants hired within the framework of the project;
Ensure periodic reporting and liaison on project activities to relevant entities including UN HQ and donors.
Deliver technical presentations on electoral related issues

Ensure overall responsibility for project management and implementation:

Ensure effective cooperation and coordination of the project with the TSE and relevant ministries.
Facilitate and participate in the project Board meetings, submit progress reports to the Board, advise the Board members on policy issues relating to project implementation including advice on the strategic planning, decision making processes and the management of the funds;
Ensure regular and effective monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the project’s performance, using benchmarks established by the project’s work plans;
Lead the Project team (advisers, staff and consultants); prepare relevant terms of reference; supervise the team in the performance of those duties; facilitate relevant knowledge-transfer, information sharing and capacity development within the team;
Represent UNDP in all elections support related activities; participate in all regular meetings of the international and donor community on elections support.
Ensure formulation and implementation of communication and visibility strategy.

Fundraising/Resource mobilization: Supervise the Analyst/Coordinator of the Electoral Project Team and the team:

Lead mobilization of funds with partners for additional resources to the electoral process
Establish ways of collaboration with potential partners (all stakeholders including donors, etc.), resource mobilization system and appropriate operational partnership
Advise the UNDP Country Office on the development of resource mobilization strategies;
Perform other relevant duties as required by the UNDP Resident Representative.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

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 - UNDP Representation: Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

Business Management - Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management - Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness - Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance

2030 Agenda: Peace – Governance: Electoral Cycle Support

2030 Agenda: People – Gender: UNDP's Gender Equality Seal Initiative.

RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in political science international economics, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field.

Experience

Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of elections.
Good knowledge on the management of electoral processes
Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.
Ability to produce reports and high levelled political analysis.
Capacity to provide technical advice to, and dialogue with electoral and high levelled political and Administrative Officers as well as donors from the international community.
Have previously worked as CTA within the framework of multi donor projects.
Demonstrated experience in Project management within the United Nations System, preferably with UNDP, in the Latin American region would be a strong asset.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in oral and written English and Spanish

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.