Short-term Position Contingent on Funding
The Carter Center’s Democracy Program works globally to support democratic elections and strengthen participatory democracy, consistent with human rights. The overarching objective is to enhance democratic governance and increase effective political participation for all, especially groups that have been historically disadvantaged or that face political, cultural, or socioeconomic barriers. This includes women, racial and ethnic minorities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, youth, elderly people, and other marginalized groups. Impartial, credible election observers play a key role in shaping perceptions about the quality and legitimacy of electoral processes. The Carter Center has been a pioneer of election observation, monitoring 113 elections in Africa, Latin America, and Asia since 1989 and forging many of the techniques now common to the field.
The Carter Center may deploy a pre-election assessment mission to Sierra Leone to explore the extent to which international election observation or other activities may be useful around anticipated national elections in 2023. Pending availability of funds, the Center is now recruiting a highly qualified individual for a short-term political and electoral expert position with anticipated deployment in August 2022.
Details of Position:
Applicants should have 10 years of senior-level experience implementing international election observation and other democracy and governance projects. English language proficiency is essential. Background in Sierra Leonean politics and culture is highly desirable, and experience with states in the ECOWAS region. Leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and the ability to provide advice and guidance regarding democracy promotion are required.
Responsibilities in Brief:
- Coordinate with other members of the pre-election assessment team and Atlanta-based staff to represent the Carter Center and assess current political and electoral conditions in Sierra Leone.
- In coordination with Atlanta-based staff conduct meetings with key stakeholders. Represent The Carter Center in meetings with interlocutors.
- Assess key political and electoral issues in each assessment country; assess the prospects for election observation missions (including various options) to have an impact and add value toward supporting genuine democratic elections; assess the anticipated role and activities of other key actors and stakeholders: assess the potential for donor support for TCC election missions, in cooperation with TCC Development and Democracy staff.
- Become familiar with key electoral, legal, and political participation issues, including those related to gender, ethnic minorities, disability, and poverty.
- In conjunction with other team members, provide a written assessment on political and electoral issues in Sierra Leone.
- Draft internal report(s) as needed on key issues related to upcoming elections.
- Other services related to election assessment(s) and research as requested.
Please send a cover letter and resume with subject line “Sierra Leone Assessment” by August 9, 2022 to SierraLeoneRecruitment@cartercenter.org.
Note: Due to the large volume of applicants, the Center is not able to respond to all candidates. No phone calls or in-person contacts will be entertained.