Electoral Logistics Specialist

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

The Integrated Electoral Support Group (IESG) that consists of both UNSOM and UNDP electoral specialists provides technical and operational support to the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC). IESG provides technical support in areas including operations, capacity building, logistics, civic and voter education, legal, electoral security, external relations, public out-reach, Information Technology, Geographic Information System (GIS). The NIEC, established in 2015, has established its subnational structure at the state capital level. IESG has deployed staff to the UNSOM field offices to provide technical and operational support to NIEC subnational structures. The IESG Electoral Logistics Specialist will reinforce the technical training capacity of NIEC Field Office staff and assist with the planning and implementation of electoral training and capacity-building activities including those for voter registration and elections.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the IESG Electoral Logistics Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Contribute to the implementation of electoral programs and processes in one or more of the following areas, as required: planning and budgeting, infrastructure development, operations including field operations, procurement, logistics, outreach and civic and voter education, administrative support, capacity-building; • Provide technical and logistics support to the relevant National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) Field Offices and relevant electoral operations, • Support the NIEC in drafting the state and national logistics plans for each electoral operation and activity including voter registration, public outreach and voter education, recruitment and training as well as election day with particular focus on the deployment and retrieval of electoral materials, equipment and polling results. • Facilitate and support the logistics coordination of electoral activities and operations amongst the national and international stakeholders including private sector contracting, • Assist the NIEC field office 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, • Support and advise the NIEC in maintaining their assets at a functional level of operational readiness, • Monitor discharge of contractual obligations for transportation and ware-housing, • Train NIEC field staff on logistics planning, assets and warehouse management, fleet management and logistics reporting, Monitor and report on logistics operations and support activities, • Provide reports to the IESG Field Office Operations Coordinator and logistics advisor at IESG Headquarters. • Perform other related duties as required.

Required experience

3 years of experience in Experience in elections, training, or related areas; • Electoral experience in developing or transition economies is desirable. • Good knowledge of UN field Mission (SPM/DPKO) is desired; • At least 2 years of experience in implementing, supporting or advising on electoral logistics in multiple countries is required; • Experience in post-conflict situations is desirable. • Extensive experience in elections, administration or related fields at both national and international levels

Area(s) of expertise

Elections and governance, Logistics and Inventory

Driving license

License for light vehicles Required

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Election support activities, Inventory, asset and warehouse management, Logistics and supply chain management

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, remote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operation; 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 informationLiving conditions and remarks

General: Staff will be based in the UNSOM Headquarters in Mogadishu and UNSOM Field Offices. All the UNSOM field locations remain under the security and protection of the United Nations. All staff (including UN volunteers) are required to reside within the protected area of the United Nations. The locations of Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, Jowhar, Garowe, and Dhusamareb are subject to the UN security and protection. Movement to and from these locations will be subject to clearance by the UN security. Staff are required to travel using UN flights Accommodation: Due to the security situation in the UNSOM 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 UNSOM are provided secured accommodation in a camp-style environment. Some of the accommodation (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 Camps 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 camps. 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, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Polio, and Meningitis are recommended. A vaccination Card (yellow card) must be brought. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to the 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 Camps. 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 either Nairobi (UNSOS designated R & R location) or any other destination outside the mission area. The R & R entitlement consists of 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 Nairobi and back to the 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