Senior Technical Advisor

Organization:

The Carter Center

Location:

Congo (Kinshasa) (Kinshasa)

Contact Information:

Erin Crysler

Email:

ecrysle@emory.edu

Description:

The Center is currently recruiting highly-qualified individuals for a Senior Technical Advisor position to join the Center's core team to conduct programming supporting civil society organizations to observe the upcoming national elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The consultant will oversee the design and management of the Center's support to civil society organizations conducting election observation activities, providing key input in areas of election observation methodology, recruitment and training of observers, deployment plans, volunteer outreach, and organizational development of non-profit organizations. In addition, the Senior Technical Advisor will implement technical assistance programming to build local organizational capacity in domestic observation, management, logistics, financial administration, and report writing, enabling groups to conduct training sessions and organize election observation activities effectively. This independent contract position is initially assigned for 9 months, with the possibility of further extension.

Primary responsibilities will include:

Representation of The Carter Center

• Represent the Carter Center's project to support domestic election observation organizations in DRC in coordination with Field Office Director and staff supporting the Center's international election observation work.
• Maintain ongoing liaison with key stakeholders, including government and political leaders, electoral authorities, NGO and civil society leaders, donor contacts, members of the diplomatic community and relevant security officials within the Government of DRC, and the United Nations Organization Mission in DRC where appropriate and important for successful implementation of the project on training and supporting domestic election observers in DRC; organize stakeholder meetings with Carter Center Atlanta staff when present.

Program Management

• Support the strengthening of civil society networks to monitor electoral processes in DRC within the framework of the The Carter Center's Human Rights House capacity-strengthening programs for local civil society actors.
• Oversee strategic planning of the program. Manage all aspects of project implementation.
• Implement technical assistance programming to build local organizational capacity in domestic observation, management, logistics, financial administration, and report writing, enabling groups to conduct training sessions and organize election observation activities effectively.
• Oversee the design of training materials, including training manuals, observation checklists, and other tools with input from Atlanta staff
• As required, lead training sessions of election observers providing background on best practices in citizen election observation and instructing participants on key tools of NGO organizational development. Instruct participants regarding the code of conduct for election observation, as well as the logistical and administrative needs of supporting, training, and deploying domestic election observers at different stages of the electoral process.

Office Management

• Ensure adherence to policies and procedures relating to staff, office, computer use, security protocols, requests for transportation, communications, etc.
• Supervise operations of the project including collaboration between consultants and local staff.
• Contribute to the supervision of expatriate staff, local staff, electoral experts and other consultants to maintain a Carter Center field presence in DRC including as needed: oversee office daily operations, including equipment rental and acquisition; recruitment, hiring and supervision of local staff and other consultants as needed in close consultation with the Field Office Director.

Financial Management

• Maintain fiduciary responsibility for all field office project funds in accordance with budget limitations and donor contract/grant requirements. Contribute to financial reporting to ensure appropriate management and monitoring of field office operational funds in accordance with Carter Center procedures, including completion of field office monthly financial reports.

Qualification:

Applicants should have seven to ten years of experience in training election observers, conducting election observation, and/or NGO capacity building work, ideally in countries transitioning from war to sustainable peace. French language capacity is required. Prior work experience in DRC is highly desirable. The position requires relocation to DRC in May 2011, and will involve some travel within DRC. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Candidates should possess strong program management skills, cross-cultural understanding, be highly organized, and able to work under pressure and tight deadlines when necessary. Strong writing and communication skills and competence with computer applications required. A positive attitude and the ability to work effectively in leading a diverse team are essential.

TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter, CV, contract requirements, and a list of references:

Erin Crysler
The Carter Center
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
E-mail: ecrysle@emory.edu

Deadline for submissions: April 22, 2011

Note: Due to the large volume of applicants, only those candidates selected for additional consideration will be notified by the Center.