Election Administration Specialist (1,000 Working Days) at Palladium Group

Project Overview and Role:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

Palladium is currently shortlisted for the upcoming EU services contract, Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme Phase II. The Project will provide a key component of support under the upcoming EU-SDGN II programme, building on support provided under EU-SDGN (2017-2021) and earlier initiatives. The overall objective of the action is to foster a functioning pluralistic, inclusive, participatory and representative democracy in Nigeria.

The contract will focus on:

• Engendering the conditions for inclusive, transparent, credible, and peaceful elections and a more inclusive decision-making process with the meaningful participation of all sectors of society, including women, youth, and other marginalised groups.
• Collaborating with the technical team of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide capacity development support, technical assistance, policy and expert advice to the electoral management Body.
• Contributing to the implementation of the EU Electoral Observation Missions (EU EOM) recommendations, as well as EU EOM follow up mission recommendations.
• Supporting Monitoring and Evaluation as well as communication and visibility activities across the programme components.
• Technical assistance delivered under this contract will work towards achieving seven (7) key result areas of the overall EU-SDGN II programme, encompassing:
• Reinforcement of INEC’s institutional capacities, and strengthening of capacities for electoral administration, strategic planning and operations.
• Enhancement of INEC’s internal communication and external engagement with stakeholders.
• Enhancement of The Electoral Institute’s (TEI) capacities, and reinforcement of its research and training roles.
• Improvement of legal and policy framework for elections.
• Efficient incorporation, public acceptance, and ownership of technology innovations.
• Enhancement of INEC’s capacity to ensure a nationally consolidated voters register, and the provision of continuous registration.
• Improvement of capacities of selected State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), including collaboration with INEC.

Duration: 60 months (01/05/2022 – 30/04/2027)

Under the overall strategic direction of the Team Leader, the election administration specialist will work closely with the technical team of the INEC Chairman, INEC officials at various levels and the Programme Officers of the other components of the programme. They will provide policy and technical support and advice, prepare and implement activities as detailed in the annual work plan and undertake tasks as directed by the Team Leader.

Required Qualifications:

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum Requirement: Advanced university degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in the humanities, law or social sciences
• Preferred Requirement: Experience with EU funding instruments, preferably European Development Fund (EDF)and EU funded development projects

General Professional Experience

• Minimum Requirement: Extensive experience in the area of democracy and democratic governance dealing with electoral issues, applied research, policy dialogue and advisory work.
• Preferred Requirement: Proven work experience in managing the implementation of multifaceted projects in the field of electoral assistance and proficient working knowledge of the electoral cycle approach.
• Preferred Requirement: Extensive experience in project management and in the design and implementation of democracy support programmes.
• Preferred Requirement: Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, resourcefulness, ability to take initiative, capacity to work in a self-directed manner in a multi-cultural environment, and ability to create a team-based work environment.
• Preferred Requirement: Experience in working with large and challenging boards and/or coordination or steering committees and advisory structures.
• Preferred Requirement: Fluency and excellent communication skills in the English language.

Specific Professional Experience

• Minimum Requirement: Extensive previous working experience providing technical/advisory services to a National Electoral Management Body (EMB). Experience in West Africa would be an advantage. 
• Preferred Requirement: Proven competence in the field of democracy and democratic governance, well-informed on electoral and broader democratic governance issues such as electoral legal reform, role and responsibilities of the legislature, media and civil society and community-based organisations in emerging democratic societies, as well as promotion of the participation of women, youth and marginalised groups in the political process.
• Preferred Requirement: Proven knowledge and understanding of the political and socio-economic issues of the Nigerian governance and electoral processes.
• Preferred Requirement: Skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building.