Project Operations Specialist / Deputy CTA (Open to Tier 3 Applicants)

• Planning, coordination, and execution of election activities, optimizing resources such as personnel, finances, and technology;
• Implementation of processes and systems that promote transparency and impartiality, helping to build trust in the electoral process;
• Advising on compliance with election laws, regulations, and international standards to ensure the legitimacy of the elections;
• Strengthening voter registration and identification by supporting the development of strategies to maintain accurate voter rolls and implement effective voter identification and verification mechanisms;
• Identifying potential risks and develop contingency plans for logistical disruptions, election-day challenges, including technical failures and security threats;
• Assist in streamlining vote counting, tabulation, and results dissemination to ensure accuracy and timeliness
• Advise on the planning and coordination of electoral logistics, including the distribution of election materials and setup of polling stations.

• Collaborate on the design and implementation of strategic communication plans to enhance NEBE's visibility and public trust;
• Oversee the production and dissemination of public service announcements and media content;
• Provide guidance on crisis communication and media engagement during electoral processes;
• Support enhancing voter education and participation through voter awareness programs to increase voter turnout and inclusiveness through development of voter education campaigns to increase public awareness of election laws, voter registration, and result tabulation;
• Support development and validation of training manuals for master trainers and election officials;
• Support collaboration with CSOs and media to deliver impactful voter education initiatives;
• Support building and maintaining partnerships with local communities, government agencies, CSOs, and international organizations;
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations to align electoral activities with national international standards;
• Organize seminars and workshops to enhance stakeholder capacity and collaboration.

• Oversee the project's day-to-day operations, ensuring the initiation and execution of project activities in line with the project document and approved Project Annual Work Plans;
• Mobilize goods and services to initiate activities in line with project-approved Annual Work Plans, including drafting TORs and specifications;
• Facilitate the work of consultants, ensuring alignment with project goals;
• Organize and support events, managing logistics and content;
• Closely coordinate with the Project Finance Officer in managing financial resources and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Monitor project risks and update the Project Risk Log;
• Coordinate closely with the relevant units of the UNDP Country Office in the delivery of results;
• Ensure compliance with UNDP's rules, regulations, and procedures in the implementation of Project activities;
• Arrange and/or attend meetings, ensuring appropriate record keeping;
• Prepare and manage final project closure, oversee transfer of deliverables to beneficiaries or UNDP CO, and coordinate follow-on actions with the Project Board;
• Handle operational and financial closure tasks in collaboration with the Project Finance Officer and UNDP CO's Programme Delivery and Resource Management unit, ensuring effective project completion.

• Support NEBE in preparation of analytical reports and briefs on electoral activities, outcomes, and challenges, to be shared with the NEBE Chairperson, and electoral stakeholders;
• Assist the CTA in developing annual and quarterly work plans that align with project outputs and strategic goals;
• Collaboratively prepare and coordinate a range of progress reports, including annual, quarterly, monthly, and ad-hoc as necessary;
• If required, draft Terms of References, Concept Notes, progress updates and briefing notes for the CTA, NEBE Chair, and/or UNDP Senior Management;
• Facilitate project monitoring and evaluation efforts by preparing detailed reports and analyses, crucial for assessing progress and guiding future actions;
• Coordinate results-based management processes for project, ensuring that activities align with strategic objectives and contribute to the overall success of the project;
• Monitor expenditures against planned budgets, providing rigorous quality control to budget management to ensure financial resources are utilized efficiently and effectively in line with project goals;
• Ensure detailed documentation and reporting for knowledge management and learning.

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

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

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

• LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

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

• LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

• LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

• Communication:- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels .

• System Thinking: - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

• Knowledge Generation:- Ability to research information and turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to stated needs. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

• Project Management :- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

• Working with Evidence and Data :- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

• Relationship Management :- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field. OR

• Minimum 7 years (with master's degree) or 9 years (with bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in in project/program management is required.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience related to election operations, logistics, voter education, and other technical electoral areas is required;
• Proven experience in designing and delivering voter education and training programs in collaboration with electoral management body (EMB) or election-related organization;
• Previous work on inclusion preferably in electoral context, and strong track record in stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government, CSOs, and international partners;
• Proficiency in logistics and operations coordination, with the ability to manage budgets, personnel, and materials under challenging condition;
• Experience working with UNDP or similar corporate management systems is required.

• Familiarity with Ethiopian electoral framework and socio-political context and prior experience working on elections in Ethiopia will be a strong asset;
• International electoral experience will be highly considered;
• Previous role in advising electoral management body is desired.

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required;
• Working knowledge of additional local languages will be an asset.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification would be an asset.

United Nations Development Programme