The Carter Center – Digital Threats to Democracy and Elections Consultant – Project Coordinator

The Carter Center (TCC) is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflict, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. To these ends, The Center seeks a highly qualified and motivated consultant to serve as a Project Coordinator and coordinate and manage a social media monitoring project in Ethiopia.

Length of assignment: April – September 30 (Start date will begin in April  as soon as individual is recruited)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Summary:

The Carter Center plans to deploy a social media monitoring program in advance of the August general elections. The program will work to identify and mitigate the propagation of misinformation and disinformation, inflammatory speech, online harassment, and dark ads. To implement these digital threats monitoring activities, TCC plans to recruit a program coordinator, an accountant, and ten individuals to monitor social media activity during the campaign and throughout the rest of the electoral process. The Project Coordinator will oversee the implementation of the social media monitoring project in Addis Ababa. As a representative of the Center in Ethiopia, (s)he will maintain collaborative relationships with donors, government officials, and representatives of international and national organizations. Under supervision of the Program Manager, the Project Coordinator will supervise personnel and manage financial, administrative, and logistical operations of the project, while simultaneously work with headquarters, consultants, and external partners to achieve project goals.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Representation: As directed by the Program Manager, represents the Carter Center’s program in Ethiopia. Maintain productive, strategic relationships with project partners and other key actors in Ethiopia, including government officials, international organizations, donors, civil society leaders, and other critical institutions and groups. At request of Program Manager, liaises with key actors and provide updates to partners as directed.
  2. Field Office Operational Management: Oversees the logistical and administrative process. Ensures that the field office operates in compliance with Ethiopian laws and regulations. With support from Program Manager and Senior Advisor, provide training and technical assistance to monitors to facilitate implementation of project activities, including guidance and support on monitoring activities and analysis of findings.
  3. Program Design and Implementation: Under supervision of Program Manager, facilitates day-to-day oversight and implementation of digital threats monitoring activities in accordance with project workplan and timeline. With support from Senior Advisor, identifies activity on social for purposes of monitoring for possible disinformation or hate speech.
  4. Human Resources Management: If project activities are conducted by direct hire of monitors: assists in recruitment and management of monitors to conduct daily monitoring of social media. Provides support to and collaborates with project staff and consultants. Maintain active awareness of staff needs and engage in staff development efforts. Promote a cooperative work environment.
  5. Financial Management: Manage expenditures and forecasts. Assist the program accountant with financial reporting. Review and provide input on budgets, as requested. Accepts fiduciary responsibility for any Carter Center funds entrusted to you. Safeguards such funds and at all times, expend funds in a fiscally prudent manner and keep adequate financial records
  6. Strategic Program Leadership: In coordination with the Program Manager and Atlanta staff, identifies areas for new programming initiatives related to social media monitoring. Provide analysis and advice to the Carter Center on important programmatic, operational, and substantive issues.
  7. Communication and Reporting: Ensures effective and timely coordination and communication between relevant headquarters and field office staff, as well as between field office staff and local civil society partners. Provides input to or drafts sections of donor and other reports as requested by management. Submits bi-monthly reports to Atlanta and participate in regular calls with headquarters.
  8. Sub-Grant Management: If project activities are conducted by local partner organization: assists in administrative support and oversight of sub-award agreement(s) to ensure compliance with narrative and financial reporting requirements

Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated understanding of the local political and electoral context
  • Demonstrated understanding of international human rights law, specifically pertaining to freedom of expression, opinion and participation
  • Familiarity with Democratic Election Standards
  • Fluency in one or more local languages
  • Good written and verbal English communications skills
  • Experience working for an international non-governmental organization a plus

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a goal of filling the position by April 31, 2020. To apply, please send a cover letter, CV and references to democracyprogramrecruitment@cartercenter.org. When applying, please include “Ethiopia Digital Threats Project Coordinator” in the subject line. Only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center, no phone calls please.