Electoral Communications and Capacity Building Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, established to advocate for change and connect countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build better lives. UNDP operates in 170 countries and territories, working closely with governments and communities to address global and national development challenges. Since its inception, UNDP has focused on empowering lives and building resilient nations, providing integrated development solutions to strengthen institutions and deliver essential health services. As a trusted partner of The Global Fund, UNDP has been involved in providing technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, yielding significant health and development results even in challenging environments. The organization emphasizes proactive risk management and sustainability in its portfolio management approach, ensuring that technical assistance is provided to national counterparts throughout all phases of implementation, including strengthening legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, as well as building capacities in key functional areas such as financial management and health information systems.

Job Overview:
The Electoral Communications and Capacity Building Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the Electoral Commission and Vanuatu Electoral Office in enhancing their communication strategies and capacity-building efforts. This position is vital in the context of Vanuatu's recent electoral and political reforms, which aim to improve the independence and effectiveness of electoral management bodies. The specialist will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that includes internal and external communications, outreach, and social media engagement. Additionally, the role involves fostering partnerships with civil society organizations and political parties to promote civic education and voter engagement. The specialist will also contribute to the development of training programs for electoral personnel and support the establishment of a Documentation and Resource Archive to enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development within the electoral framework. Overall, this position is integral to ensuring inclusive, transparent, and credible electoral processes in Vanuatu, particularly in empowering marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities to participate in the democratic process.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Communications: Support the Electoral Commission and Vanuatu Electoral Office in designing and implementing a comprehensive Communications Strategy, including strategies for internal and external communications, outreach, social media engagement, and regular production of communications and information material. Recommend and develop strategies for enhancing communication with stakeholders, including political parties, the media, civil society, and donor partners. Organize planning, designing, printing, and distribution of media and civic education materials. Ensure that human interest stories of beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups, are developed and disseminated regularly. Support the project in promoting coverage of all elections-related events and field visits. Develop donor communication plans and conduct activities to strengthen partnerships with donors.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Programmes: Prepare a capacity development plan for the Electoral Commission and Vanuatu Electoral Office, considering the needs of potential candidates and political parties. Contribute to capacity-building of national counterparts and strengthen national institutions in the electoral realm. Advise and support the VEO in developing training plans for electoral personnel and ensure effective management of decentralization and institutional growth. Support the creation of a Documentation and Resource Archive and assist in developing and updating training materials. Supervise the quality of training provided and evaluate the impact of training initiatives.
• Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion: Develop plans to engage traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, to encourage their political participation. Establish baselines and targets for increased participation in political nominations. Create training strategies focusing on empowering these groups and ensure the application of best practices in gender inclusion. Monitor and document the experiences of capacity development initiatives supporting women's political participation and lead the development of high-quality knowledge products on this subject.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the position of Electoral Communications and Capacity Building Specialist should possess a strong background in communications, capacity building, and electoral processes. They should have experience in developing and implementing communication strategies, particularly in the context of electoral management. The candidate should demonstrate a deep understanding of the political landscape in Vanuatu and the challenges faced by electoral institutions. Additionally, they should have experience in working with civil society organizations and political parties to promote civic education and voter engagement. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. The candidate should also possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and knowledge products.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in communications, political science, international relations, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline would be an advantage. The candidate should have a strong academic background that supports their understanding of electoral processes, governance, and development issues.

Experience:
The candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in communications, capacity building, or electoral assistance. Experience working with international organizations, particularly in the context of UNDP or similar agencies, is highly desirable. The candidate should have a proven track record of successfully implementing communication strategies and capacity-building initiatives in complex environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of the UNDP and the primary language of communication in Vanuatu. Knowledge of Bislama or French would be considered an asset, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance engagement with diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Vanuatu, which is known for its beautiful landscapes and unique cultural environment. The candidate should be prepared to live and work in a setting that may involve physical hardship and limited comfort. Flexibility and cultural awareness are essential for adapting to the local context. The position may involve travel within Vanuatu and potentially to other countries for capacity-building activities and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service, including entitlements and benefits, can be found on the UNV website.