Program Manager for Elections

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization that has supported democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for the last 30 years. NDI and its national partners have worked to establish and strengthen political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI is currently working in more than 60 countries. More information is available at www.ndi.org.

NDI Malawi invites suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the following vacancy:

PROGRAM MANAGER – ELECTIONS

SUMMARY:

The Program Manager for Elections will play a leading role in implementing the election component of NDI programming in Malawi. This individual will contribute to the planning, design and evaluation of the program and will collaborate with regional and field staff to perform the following duties. The Program Manager – Elections reports to the Program Director under the supervision of the Resident Country Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with NDI’s field and DC-based teams, support the implementation of an elections program in Malawi, including providing technical assistance to the selected citizen election observation partners) and assisting to develop the professional capacities needed to employ a systematic election observation methodology.
• In coordination with the NDI Elections team, assist citizen election observation partner(s) group on all components of the election observation program, including but not limited to electoral reform advocacy, organizational development, and capacity building, training and materials, recruitment of observers, and data collection and analysis.
• In coordination with the NDI Elections team, assist citizen election observation groups in recruiting, coordinating, training, and supporting long-term and short-term observers.
• Work closely with and in support of civil society organizations collaborating on election issues.
• Conduct research and draft memo, briefers, reports, and workplans, specifically on election-related issues, themes, and activities.
• Facilitate and manage input from the broad range of stakeholders in Malawi, with some emphasis on underrepresented groups, including women and marginalized constituencies.
• Ensure that programmatic goals are achieved and operational and reporting requirements are met. In conjunction with country and DC-based M&E teams, monitor project and partner activities to ensure quality implementation, achievement of project goals, and meeting operational and reporting requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, civil society actors, and other stakeholder groups.
• Consult regularly with the Country Director on program progress and submit timely field reports to the Country Director that monitor and measure program results and political developments.
• Promotes knowledge management in NDI and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Excellent writing skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working on elections.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government.
• Builds strong relationships with partners and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree in International Relations, International Development, Political Science or a related field preferred. A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in the field of international development, including a specific background in elections.
• Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, International Development, Political Science or a related field preferred. A minimum of five (7) years of relevant work experience in the field of international development, including a specific background in elections.
• Experience developing and implementing election programs
• Experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with electoral stakeholders, donors, and other international organizations.
• Technical knowledge of systematic election observation methodology and previous experience working with citizen electron observation would be an advantage.
• Experience implementing programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), State Departments, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), or other bilateral or multilateral donors would be an advantage.

Please send your resume and cover letter to The Country Director & Finance & Administration Manager at: (malawi_recruitment@ndi.org). Application for the above positions should include a cover letter, updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with names and telephone numbers of three references. Documents must be received by October 4, 2024 for consideration. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. NDI is an equal opportunity employer.