SIEO Law Reform Executive Secretarial & Office Support

The UNDP “Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project” (SECSIP) provides electoral assistance to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and other national institutions throughout the entire electoral cycle (pre-election; elections/polling and post-election) for the conduct of inclusive and credible electoral processes. Since 2013 SECSIP has provided technical assistance for the planning and implementation of two general elections (2014, 2019) and for parliamentary and provincial  by-elections SECSIP receives financial assistance from the Government of Australia and UNDP.

The need for the review of the electoral legal framework is one of the priorities included in the Electoral Reform Strategy Framework  (ERSF)  of SIEC. The ERSF was developed by SIEC in alignment with the Fundamental Reforms as referred to in the DCGA Policy Statement, Policy Translation document and the 2020 DCGA Policy Redirection, establishes SIEC priority areas to improve the conduct of elections throughout the next electoral cycle. 

The 2019 national general elections were the first conducted under the Electoral Act 2018. Electoral observer reports commended SIEC for the successful implementation of these elections and provided also recommendations for further improvements. Additionally, during the post election phase, SIEC with SECSIP support, conducted lessons learned exercises identifying aspects that may require the amendment of legal provisions. 

With a view to provide strategic guidance on the electoral reform process which takes into account the above referred ERSF, the findings of the lessons learned and the recommendations of the observation reports , SIEC proposed the establishment of a Taskforce on Electoral Reform (TER) which is expected to be operational from July 2021 onwards. The TER will be chaired by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and its scope of duties includes the assistance for the review and harmonization of the electoral legal framework, the planning and organization of consultations with relevant stakeholders and the production of policy papers with recommendations on electoral reform issues. The TER will be supported by a Secretariat whose incumbent, will conduct administrative and logistical duties as described in this TOR. 

The incumbent of this position wll work closely with the Chair of TER who will provide specific guidance of daily duties and tasks in consultation with UNDP CTA. It is expected that the duties and tasks will include the following:

Related to planning, implementation and monitoring of TER

• Set out the timeline and the major milestones in respect of the work of the Taskforce;
• Monitor progress against the timeline on a regular basis;
• Inform the Chair where  delays have already been encountered or where delays are anticipated
• Suggest ways for an efficient use of  time
• Prepare and monitor the execution of the Taskforce operational budget

Related to Taskforce meetings include:

• Planning and organization of the Taskforce meetings, including  the timely send out of invitations and making necessary arrangements to secure the venue.
• Assistance to the Chair in the drafting of the Agenda for Taskforce meetings
• Ensuring that all documents to be tabled at Taskforce meetings are timely printed and ready for circulation
• Being present in all Taskforce meetings to ensure that the main points in the deliberations and the decisions made are accurately recorded,
• Ensuring that the sitting allowances for Taskforce members are ready for disbursement after each Taskforce meeting

Related to the conduct of consultations at provincial and local level 

• Liaison  with the Provincial Secretary (for HCC, liaise with the Town Clerk) to schedule meetings and organize venues  
• Organisation of travel, accommodation and other logistical aspects for the Taskforce and the Secretariat
• Organising and preparing the venue for the consultations,
• Assist in the preparation of documentation related to subsistence allowances
• Ensure that the program for the consultations is developed and that sufficient copies of the programme, consultation materials and workbooks are available on a timely basis
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• Note taking of deliberations identifying issues agreed to or otherwise,
• Preparation of summaries analysing the main issues discussed and agreed with Provincial Assemblies and Honiara City Council authorities,
• Organising catering services which may be served during consultations

Related to media events and civil society organizations (CSOs)

• Organising media events to inform on TER consultations. This will include press conferences  with stakeholders in the field and media releases as per the request of the Taskforce
• Issuing invitations to CSO umbrella organisations, those representing women,  persons with a disability (PWD) and faith/religious groups. .

Drafting of Taskforce progress reports to be presented to the Electoral Commission and/or Cabinet

Support research work which may be conducted during non-consultation periods

Filing of Taskforce documents in compliance with the instructions of the Chair

Undertaking any other duties which the Chair of the Taskforce in consultation with UNDP SECSIP may request.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Important applicant information

All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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