Job Description
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with Member States in all continents, aims to support sustainable democracy worldwide, working with both new and long established democracies, helping to develop the institutions and culture or democracy. At the interface between research, field experience and the donor community, International IDEA provides a forum for dialogue and uses comparative experience, analysis and dialogue with practitioners to identify examples of good practices and produce tools and guidelines on democracy support. It builds networks of experts, develops training materials and provides strategic advice at international, regional and national level, working in partnership with a range of institutions. International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: Electoral Processes, political parties, constitution building processes, democracy and gender assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
International IDEA, Nepal and DFID Nepal have agreed a joint project to support local government coherence (the Project). This programme explicitly joins informed policy debate and thinking with practical, operational engagement with existing DFID programmes on the ground. The goal is to improve coherence in local development, increase the availability of discretionary resources that can respond to local priorities and reduce fragmentation at the local level. The practical work of the programme will focus in one or two regions and – working with DFID implementing partners and Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MOFALD )- look for ways to improve coherence of programming (in terms of efficiency and political accountability), focusing on large DFID programmes. This will involve reducing the types of duplication and overlap identified in the Dailekh Mapping Study. It will use practical engagement to understand the implications of the Constitution, the new elected bodies and federalism. It will bring together key influencers with DFID advisers and implementing partners in the field and in Kathmandu to workshop brainstorm and change practice. Where there are obvious gaps in practice, technical assistance will be made available to support improvements (e.g. for poverty mapping, monitoring etc.) International IDEA is seeking highly motivated personnel for its new project; Local Government Coherence in Nepal.
Senior Programme Officer (Local Position)
Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the implementation of the Project through direct engagement with all stakeholders at the local level;
- Leads in building partnerships with key local leaders in political parties, civil society groups and service providers to advance the work of the Project;
- Directly implements all local level components of the programme including facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues and coordination and management of Project consultants working in the field;
- Undertakes representational functions as delegated;
- Undertakes research and draws upon relevant International IDEA knowledge resource networks and tools to respond to topical issues pertaining to local governance, local service delivery and all other topics related to the Project;
- Contributes local level input to the Project’s political and economic analysis including collecting information and analysis from local stakeholders;
- Advises the Programme Manager on all matters pertaining to Project related developments;
- Facilitates the engagement of International IDEA staff in order to achieve project goals;
- Contributes to oversight of Project funds in accordance with donor and International IDEA regulations;
- Contributes to the procurement processes by defining for instance terms of reference as needed;
- Assists in the sourcing of local consultants;
- Contributes to monitoring and evaluation of the Project activities in accordance with donor and International IDEA rules and procedures;
- Contributes to Project-related progress reports;
General Profile
- Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills and significant experience in their field;
- Contributes to assigned projects with authority, and provides policy analysis as appropriate;
- Is committed to democratic accountability and political devolution
Contributes to publications; is recognized as an expert in his/her broad professional community; - Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
- Has strong professional curiosity, willing to learn as much from what doesn’t work as what does work
- Openness to new thinking and evidence on development and governance (eg Doing Development Differently, Thinking and Working Politically, Adaptive Programming)
- Fosters team-based activities; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
- Acts as a model and mentor for less experienced colleagues;
- Is 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.
Programmatic Knowledge
- Has expert knowledge and extensive work experience in own discipline, combined with excellent understanding of related disciplines in order to approach programmatic issues in a holistic manner.
- Knowledge and direct experience in local governance, specifically democratic accountability, gender, social diversity and media an advantage.
Operational Knowledge, skills and experience
- Integrates learning into the design , management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities, is prepared to test assumptions and change direction as the context and/or understanding evolves;
- Has thorough understanding of relevant programmatic issues in the key geographical zone where his/her work is implemented;
- Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.
Communication and interpersonal Skill
- Liaises permanently 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;
- Is able to present his/her activities and represent International IDEA effectively in all professional circles;
- Fluency in English and Nepali i.e. oral and written proficiency, is required.
Education and Experience
- Post-graduate qualifications in political science, law, international relations, public administration or other related disciplines
- Minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience preferably in the area of local governance / democratic accountability and with international organizations.
Finance and Administrative Officer (Local Position)
Duties and Responsibilities
- Contributes to the preparation of the Terms of Reference and other contractual documents for consultants and service providers;
- Provides support for planning and budgeting. Monitors the work programme and budget of the Project and reviews progress of work versus planned activities, in collaboration with the Line Manager(s);
- Processes invoices, project advance requests, project expenditure reports etc.;
- Supervises expenditure control in relation to the Project and ensures adherence to International IDEA policies and procedures; Administers funds and oversee budget expenditures; Estimates monthly revenues and expenses; Prepares, analyzes and submits financial statements and reports; Prepares for and responds to the office audit;
- Coordinates procurement and performance management of suppliers and contractors including preparing consultancy contracts in line with International IDEA policies and procedures;
- Fully manages, as proper projects, the organization of meetings, conferences and workshops (costing and booking venues, liaising with attendees, organizing travel, etc…). Assists with the preparation of meeting materials and follow-up production of documents
- Organizes staff travel including cost control, travel advances, travel claims and other associated issues; when applicable, assists external consultants;
- Assists with registration of internal/external communications and institutional documents, in liaison with the Archivist;
- Prepares, updates and maintains proper documentation and records for the office including project finances, procurement and Human Resources;
- Ensure financial systems are maintained in an accurate and timely manner;
- Assists with the update and maintenance of the Institute’s internal website and other social media;
- Registers all personnel leave requests, in liaison with Payroll;
- Assists with the update and maintenance of the Project social media;
General Profile
- Has developed specialized skills or is multi-skilled developed through job-related training and considerable on-the-job experience;
- Adds considerable value to team-based activities in his/her unit, and likely to act as an informal resource for colleagues; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required;
- Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
- Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.
Functional Knowledge
- Is skilled in a range of processes, procedures and systems to carry out assigned tasks or has developed deep skills in a particular area.
Operational Knowledge, skills and experience
- Integrates a results-based approach into his/her activities;
- Understands how the assigned duties relate to others in the team and how the team integrates with others throughout the organization; Uses knowledge of how the team integrates
- with others to accomplish team objectives;
- Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.
Communication and interpersonal Skills
- Liaises regularly with all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her projects;
- Acts in all assignments with personal energy and engagement.
- Fluency in English and Nepali i.e. oral and written proficiency, is required.
Education and Experience
- Approximately five (5) years of experience in a similar role;
- High school diploma and preferably business and/or secretarial education; university background is considered an advantage;
- Experience of working in an international context, e.g. in an intergovernmental organization, considered an advantage.
Please note both positions are local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. These positions are open to those legally authorized to live and work in Nepal.
Applications should be submitted no later than 20th January 2017. Candidates should apply online using the application form available on the International IDEA’s website;
How To Apply
To apply Senior Programme Officer
http://idea.easycruit.com/vacancy/1763071/25038?iso=gb
To apply Finance and Administrative Officer-
http://idea.easycruit.com/vacancy/1763099/25038?iso=gb