Background

In 2012 UNDP launched a programme “Improving the Quality of Moldovan Democracy through Electoral and Parliamentary Development” (referred to as the “Democracy Programme”). The programme has two large components: parliamentary support and electoral support. The electoral component of the programme provides multi-year institutional development support for the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova. The programme originally had three areas of intervention: (1)  embed gender and human rights in its policy processes, (2) improve the institutional environment for electoral management body and (3) improve the voter registration process

During implementation of the first phase of Democracy Programme between 2012 and 2014 a number of new developments have taken place in the context of electoral administration and in the wider context of governance in the Republic of Moldova. To address these developments the Programme has been expanded to include a number of additional interventions (referred as Electoral Component, Phase II). Starting from 2014 the programme will support Center for Continuous Electoral Training established under auspices of CEC to train electoral administrators, to support electoral reform and implementation of political party finance legislation should it be implemented and to support development of key registers such as Official Address Register and others required for functioning of the State Register of Voters.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Electoral Specialist, the incumbent provides effective and efficient contribution to the management of the electoral component Phase II through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of programme activities. The Component Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Electoral Component Phase II Steering Committee and the Programme Board for results.

Component Manager works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to the resolution of complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. Component Manager also collaborates with other UNDP projects and other development partners in supporting the Central Electoral Commission. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of effective internal control systems.

Component manager will engage in continuous collaboration with Parliamentary Component colleagues and component manger of Elections Phase I activities, including on the delivery of joint initiatives and activities.

Component Manager under supervision of the Electoral Specialist and in close cooperation with all members of the project team, will ensure the provision of high quality development services and products, as outlined in the Component’s plans, for the Central Electoral Commission, Center for Continuous Electoral Training (CCET), Agency for Land Registration and Cadastre, SE “Cadastru” and other stakeholders. All work will be based on an appreciation of human rights and gender equality.  In particular, the component manager will:

1. Contribute to the timely and efficient delivery of outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results;
2. Ensure all actions are fully compliant with UNDP policies and procedures;
3. Within the Programme framework agreed with the national counterparts, and working closely with the Parliamentary and other Electoral Component, contribute to the preparation  and implementation of joint workplans that reflect the scope of activities, timing, sequencing, cost and other inputs for the implementation of activities;
4. Liaise with the CEC, CCET, cadaster authorities, donors and the UNDP country office to ensure that results are achieved and resources are managed efficiently and effectively;
5. Work with the Programme team to present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditure status reports to the Programme Board, Electoral Component Steering Committee and UNDP Country Office;
6. Support the Electoral Specialist in ensuring the effective management of human resources pertaining to the Project, including consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals and validate terms of reference for international and national consultants;
7. Supervise and manage the work of administrative project personnel and project individual consultants as applicable;
8. In collaboration with the relevant administrative project personnel, manage efficiently the financial resources of the Project, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
9. Lead on project procurement activities, with the support of the relevant administrative project personnel;
10. Continuously record and maintain relevant activities, issues, risks logs, etc in the UNDP Atlas Project Management Module (software platform);
11. Along with other team members, develop and maintain a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback and elaboration of top quality progress reports;
12. Ensure appropriate visibility of activities in mass media and with stakeholders; and
13. Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Programme as required.

Project specific tasks:

1. Support the National Coordinator to convene the Elections Component Steering Committee as required;
2. Support increasing collaboration among the Central Electoral Commission, the Parliament, relevant Government Ministries, the cadaster authorities and other stakeholders;
3. Support the development of a shared approach to human rights and gender equality in all institutions;
4. Design and lead activities in a designated area(s) of the project’s intervention.

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Moldovan UNDAF outcome 1.1: Institutional strengthening which is to increase the transparency, accountability and efficiency of central and local public authorities.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.  Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must
• Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status
• Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values
• Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives
• Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting
• Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
• Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents
• Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in public administration, economics, law or related areas. Additional training or certification in project or financial management would be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 (five) years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of project based activities, preferably related to democratic governance and/or working in a relevant position to this post.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is a very strong advantage.
• Experience in managing a team.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), experience in handling of web based management systems.
• Knowledge of the Moldovan electoral and political system would be a strong advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English, Romanian and Russian.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.

This position requires working closely with the independent Central Electoral Commission. This post is therefore only available to applicants who are, and are seen to be, politically neutral.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.
Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed Personal History Form (P11) as attachment instead of CV/resume.
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.