General

Description of assignment title: Electoral Logistics Specialist

Assignment country: Somalia

Expected start date: 11/01/2022

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNSOM

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 03/31/2023

Number of assignments: 2

Duty stations: Mogadiscio, Jowhar

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) was established on 3 June 2013 by UN Security Council Resolution 2102, following a comprehensive assessment of the United Nations in support of the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia. The mandate of UNSOM was subsequently renewed by Security Council resolutions. Unanimously adopting resolution 2102 (2013), the Council decided that the mandate of UNSOM would include the provision of policy advice to the Federal Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on peacebuilding and state-building in the areas of governance, security sector reform and rule of law (including the disengagement of combatants), development of a federal system (including state formation), constitutional review, democratisation (including preparations for the 2016 political transition) and coordination of international donor support. Among its other mandated functions, UNSOM is helping build the Federal Government’s capacity to promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment, promote child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions. Further, it is monitoring, helping investigate and reporting to the Council on any abuses or violations of human rights or of international humanitarian law committed in Somalia, or any abuses committed against children or women. The Mission is also supporting the implementation of the National Security Architecture that was endorsed by the Federal Government and Federal Member States in April 2017 and the Comprehensive Approach to Security framework.

Context

IESG provides technical and operational support to the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) which oversaw organizing voter registration and the Parliamentary elections in 2021 – 2022. IESG provides technical support in areas including operations, capacity building, logistics, civic and voter education, legal, electoral security, external relations, public outreach, Information Technology, and Geographic Information systems (GIS). The Integrated Electoral Support Group (IESG) is composed of both UNSOM and UNDP staff. The NIEC, established in 2015, is currently in the process of establishing its subnational structure at the state capital level. IESG intends on deploying staff to the UNSOM field offices to provide technical and operational support to NIEC subnational structures. The IESG Electoral Logistics Specialists will reinforce the technical and operational logistic capacity of NIEC Field Office staff and assist with the logistic planning and implementation of electoral operations.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Electoral Logistics Advisor and in coordination with the Logistics department. The Logistics Specialist trains, advise, and supports the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) in logistics and Operations related matters and thus including warehouse and asset management at HQ, and performs the following;

• •  Within delegated authority, the electoral Logistic Specialist will assist Electoral Logistics Advisor, in carrying out the Logistics and Operations matters. Drafting or providing input for logistics plan and well-assisting coordination of all logistics-related matters such as port and customs activities and contributing to the implementation of electoral programs and processes in one or more of the following areas, as required:
  •  Contributing information for planning and budgeting, receipt and repackaging elections materials and equipment, barcoding and creating a database for all election materials and other outreach and civic and voter education, administrative support, and capacity-building;

• •  Assist in developing Logistics plan and coordinating its implementations; oversite a UN/UNDP asset management provides full administrative support, training, and budget control for supply/assets management as per UN rules.

•  Assist the electoral officer Logistics adviser to develop a database on Assets Management for the NIEC team on how to manage NIEC assets as per UNs and donor requirement; and provided expert advice and guidance to our government counterpart “National Independent Election Commission of Somalia” (NIEC) on asset management system performance.
•  Advise the NIEC in developing and implementing a long-term asset management training plan and an assets management capacity development plan.
•  Assist NIEC in identifying data sets to be brought into the assets management system.
•  Work in close cooperation with and advise the NIEC Electoral Offices on financial and Asset management according to NIEC rules and regulations.
•  Ensure compliance to UNDP IESG guidelines for implementation of activities related to warehouse and asset management;
•  Advise, support, and contribute to the drafting of the NIEC HQ warehouse and asset report, and national logistics plans for electoral operations and activities which include deployment and retrieval of electoral materials, equipment, and polling results.
•  Monitor and support coordination and implementation of the relevant logistics plans;
•  Assist the NIEC HQ warehouse in establishing and implementing a storage and supply chain tracking system on electoral materials and equipment as well asset management system.
•  Provide technical advice to and support the NIEC with warehouse management, and develop a strategic mechanism for quality control when Voter Registration and polling materials are deployed/retrieved to the respective to/from VR and polling centers;
•  Train NIEC field staff on logistics planning, assets and warehouse management, fleet management and logistics reporting,
•  Support and advise the NIEC in maintaining their assets at a functional level of operational readiness, this includes conducting a periodical inventory as guided on the Government Public procurement policy.
•  Perform other related duties as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in elections, logistics, supply chain management, and related areas;

•  Good knowledge of UN field Mission (SPM/DPKO) is desired;
•  At least 3 years of experience in implementing, supporting, or advising on electoral processes in multiple countries is required;
•  Electoral experience in developing or transition economies is desirable. Experience in post-conflict situations is desirable. Extensive experience in elections, administration, political and social, or related fields at both national and international levels;

Area(s) of expertise

Elections and governance, Logistics and Inventory, Development programmes

Driving license

License for light vehicles Required

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Logistics, political sciences, international relations, public administration, information technology or other related disciplines.

Competencies and values

•  Integrity and professionalism
•  Accountability
•  Commitment to continuous learning:
•  Planning and organizing
•  Teamwork and respect for diversity
•  Communication
•  Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
•  Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

General: Mogadishu is the HQ of the UNSOM operation inside the Somalia mission area and is a non-family duty station. The UN Volunteer will be subject to the overall direction and guidance of the UN Designated Official (DO) for security. The volunteer will be incorporated into all ap-plicable security protocols and will be required to strictly adhere to the guidelines, security plans and other directives issued by the DO. While in Somalia, the volunteer will be housed in UN provided accommodation. In Mogadishu this is at the UN Compound at the Mogadishu International Airport (MIA). Accommodation: Due to the security situation in the UNSOS mission area and coupled with the fact that there is no living accommodation on the private market that meets minimum UN security and safety standards for UN personnel, expatriate personnel deployed to Mogadishu are provided secured accommodation in a camp style environment. Some of the accommo-dation (hard wall and prefabs) are paid for by the UN personnel on a monthly basis. However, containerized accommodation is provided free by the UN. The UN-provided accommodation is essentially equipped with minimum room furniture. The accommodation could be single or shared rooms with shared bath and toilet facilities. Power and water are provided by the UN inside the camp to its occupants. Food and Diet: There is no access to local markets in Mogadishu. There is a UN Contractor-managed dining facility inside the UNSOS Camp in Mogadishu where food is provided at a cost by the contractor CIANO. Personnel may cook their own meals at common kitchen buildings situated at convenient locations within the camp. Health: Exposure exists to a number of tropical diseases. All medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory should be completed before traveling. Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory before coming to the mission area, while vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Ty-phoid, Tetanus/Diptheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended. Vaccination Card (yellow card) must be brought. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to large number of various types of insects in the mission area, it is also recommended to use insecticide-impregnated nets and insect repellants. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Civilian Clinic inside the UNSOS Camp in Mogadishu. Rest and Recuperation: International personnel, including UN Volunteers, working in the UNSOS mission area are entitled to a 4-week Rest and Recuperation (R & R) cycle. This means that after every 4 weeks of being in the mission area, a break is taken to travel to ei-ther Nairobi (UNSOS designated R & R location) or any other destination outside the mission area. The R & R entitlement consists of a 5 calendar days R & R, with 2 travel days added, every 4 weeks. UN flights from Mogadishu or any other deployed site in the mission to Nairo-bi and back to duty station can be used at no expense. However, accommodation, food and other expenses while on R & R are borne by the individual. Approval of R & R is balanced against operational requirements.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy