Senior Election Advisor - Myanmar

About International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Together we build democracies that deliver for all. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral institutions/systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries across the globe.

The Senior Election Advisor is a management position at IFES providing programmatic support to the IFES Myanmar office. Specific duties will include providing support to IFES’ work with the Union Election Commission (UEC) in the lead up to the 2020 elections. This position is based in Yangon, Myanmar with weekly travel to Naypyitaw, where the UEC is based. 

• Drafting FAQs notes in close coordination with the team, operational planning and field coordination, coordinate UEC voter education, electoral integrity and fraud prevention measures,  and training and capacity building;
• In partnership with the IFES team, support ongoing implementation of the UEC’s Five Year Strategic Plan;
• Prepare concept and research papers, reports and briefings on election related topics as required;
• In partnership with the Country Director and Senior Advisor, guide election stakeholders on international standards and best practices on electoral issues;
• Design and conduct participatory workshops on specific electoral topics as needed for different stakeholders;
• Build strong relations with the UEC at headquarters and sub-commissions and travel to conduct or oversee capacity building programs in the states/regions;
• Maintain a system of continuous evaluation of the UEC’s activities trouble-shooting, identifying urgent needs, gaps and risks while noting progress and achievements;
• Assist the Country Director to ensure the timely execution of project activities within the allocated budget, and strategic development and implementation;
• Manage a team of national staff to support ongoing UEC work including holding regular meetings and also provide feedback on progress of activities and their performance;
• Coordinate drafting scopes of work and manage the coordination and deployment of international consultants when and where needed;
• Troubleshoot project problems, identify and suggest creative solutions;
• Participate in proposal development/new initiative process as needed;
• Contribute and ensure the quality of monthly/quarterly reports;
• Provide input into annual workplans, PMPs, and other programmatic reports;
• Other duties as assigned. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.  Master’s Degree in international relations, political science, international development preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of overall work experience in the international development sector with NGO experience a plus. Experience working on democracy and elections programming preferred.
• Knowledge of USAID, DFID, DFAT or other non-USG donor requirements an asset.
• Broad knowledge of election administration and operations;
• Experience working with electoral management bodies in an advisory capacity at the national level;
• Experience with project management and oversight of large single project or multiple small projects. Supervisory experience a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with monitoring and evaluation processes;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel required. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• English required.