Consultant – Electoral Expert

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (CDI) – January – March 2020

The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. The Center partnered with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) to implement an election observation mission in CDI from August 2020-March 2021, surrounding the upcoming legislative elections planned for March 6, 2021. Assumptions regarding deployment may change contingent on developments related to COVID-19.

The Center is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as an Electoral Expert for its Côte d’Ivoire election observation mission. S/he should possess previous experience working on international election observation missions, election administration or providing technical assistance to an EMB. Five to ten years of experience in democracy and/or elections is required, as well as an advanced degree in political science or another relevant field and proficiency in French and English. The main language of the mission will be French, but reporting will be in both languages.

Responsibilities

The Electoral Analyst will be responsible for engaging with key electoral stakeholders to assess CDI’s electoral code and regulations, and their implementation. S/he will: 

  • Act as the mission’s primary technical expert on electoral regulations and practice, including liaising with the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and other electoral stakeholders;
  • Assess the electoral environment throughout the electoral process, including the upcoming legislative elections. Gain an understanding of the laws and regulations governing electoral administration, including voter and candidate registration, campaigning, voting, counting, tabulation, and transmission of results;
  • Assess the CEI’s preparations for the legislative elections and their consistency with Côte d’Ivoire’s commitments to international and regional democratic election standards;
  • In coordination with the core team, apply the Center’s election observation methodology and contribute to the development of reporting tools (written/verbal reports, checklists, etc.) for long-term and short-term observers;
  • Meet with political party representatives, NGO and civil society leaders, and representatives from other observer groups to share views on the electoral process and political environment;
  • Contribute to EISA-Carter Center press releases, public statements, and project reports as necessary, including weekly reports, and draft final report section concerning the electoral environment for the elections, and the preparations and administration of the polls vis-à-vis Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral framework; and
  • Brief mission members and Atlanta staff on electoral dynamics and provide training to long-and short-term observers regarding electoral regulations including voter registration procedures, candidates’ registration process, and election day procedures, among others.

Qualifications:

  • Substantive experience working on electoral analysis, either as part of election observation missions, support to an electoral management body, or practitioner in a relevant field;
  • Substantive experience working internationally on democracy, human rights and /or election observation;
  • Previous participation in international election observation missions and a strong knowledge of election observation methodologies are required;
  • Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken, is required;
  • Professional experience in Côte d’Ivoire or the West African region is desirable, or at a minimum, countries with comparable political/electoral dynamics on the African continent; and
  • Leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and a background working in sensitive political situations and as part of a team are required.

Please upload a cover letter and a CV to  https://airtable.com/shrCW0HQolEgIu3BM. Only applications uploaded in the system will be considered. For questions, please e-mail CDIrecruitment@cartercenter.org

Deadline for submissions:  January 16 or until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application documents as soon as possible; decisions will be made on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As this is an international election observation mission, Ivorian nationals are not eligible to serve as core team members.

Due to the large volume of applicants, only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center. No phone calls or in-person contacts will be entertained.