IDEA Associate Programme Officer – Brussels in Brussels 80 views

We believe that democracy is a universal human aspiration and an experience that is pursued and lived in different ways around the world. Beyond the basic tenets of citizens’ choice and citizens’ political equality, the critical choices are best made and the quality of democracy is best gauged by those directly concerned: the citizens themselves. We systematically nurture an open and pluralistic understanding of democracy. This is respectful of the national context, and is in line with our non-prescriptive and non-intrusive approach, as well as with the priorities set by national actors.

International IDEA produces, shares and enables the use of comparative knowledge in its key areas of expertise: electoral processes, constitution building processes, political participation and representation, as well as on democracy as it relates to gender and inclusion, conflict sensitivity and sustainable development.

It has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and offices in the Africa and West Asia, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe regions. International IDEA is a Permanent Observer to the United Nations.

Context

Under its 2018-2022 Strategy, International IDEA will support the integrity of processes and institutions of political participation and representation through strengthening the capacity of formal institutions of political participation and representation, such as parliaments and political parties. In this regard, International IDEA and the European Union (EU) have entered into an Agreement to implement the INTER PARES | Parliaments in Partnership, EU Global Project to Strengthen the Capacity of Parliaments. The Global Project aims to strengthen representative and inclusive democracy through support for the effective functioning of parliaments in partner countries, by enhancing their legislative, oversight, representative, budgetary and administrative functions. The Global Project focuses both on elected Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly in their capacity as members of parliamentary committees and on the staff of parliaments’ secretariats.

The Project will be implemented through the following three main components:

i) Peer-to-peer parliamentary strengthening operations between selected parliaments from partner countries and parliaments from European Union Member States (EU MS);

ii) Promotion of sustainable inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary support approaches, with a focus on selected thematic issues; and

iii) Production of comparative research and knowledge and of practical and innovative tools on parliamentary matters and support approaches. The Head of INTER PARES | Parliaments in Partnership will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of the overall planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, communication and visibility of the Global Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the development and implementation of project objectives, such as base-line studies, peer-to-peer exchange programmes, knowledge products and reports;
• Contributes to the development of information and knowledge materials related to the project;
• Assists with the implementation of activities (e.g. agenda, background notes, documentation, briefs, presentations, comparative examples, etc.);
• Supports the organization and follow-up of project events, conferences, internal and external meetings, including communication and logistical related activities;
• Supports the facilitation of workshops and trainings;
• Drafts activity and progress reports;
• Assists with the dissemination of project outputs;
• Supports the establishment and maintenance of networks and partnership initiatives; maintains contacts with stakeholders on different levels, including taking a key role in partnerships with Spanish-speaking countries;
• Assists with regular briefings on and maintenance of online project repository;
• Supports the project’s communication and outreach activities through drafting of online content, including social media, in collaboration with communication/IT consultants and in line with the communication and visibility plan;
• Supports the documentation of the project (testimonials, facts and figures, images) for future reporting purposes.

General Profile

• Requires good knowledge, excellent skills and initial experience in democracy development, parliamentary work and project management;
• Will contribute to assigned projects in different aspects of the project life cycle; will draft various documents (briefs, reports, concept notes, info-notes etc.) and will support the projects vis-à-vis all internal and external stakeholders;
• Driven and motivated, can work independently and within a small team, to produce high-quality deliverables in a timely manner;
• Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other stakeholders and partners in the projects as required; shows initiative;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Integrates a rights-based approach as well as a gender perspective in all activities;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• may be requested to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects.

Reporting Line

• Head of Programme INTER PARES

Programmatic Knowledge

• Has good knowledge in own discipline and some understanding of related disciplines to be able to approach programmatic issues in a holistic manner.

Operational Knowledge, skills and experience

• Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;
• Has a good understanding of the key geographical zone where his/her work is implemented – which may imply field/international experience at some point;
• Contributes to the research of information on donors and partners, and all other activities related to resource mobilization and partnership building;
• Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.

Leadership

• No direct people management responsibility;
• Acts as a role-model for more junior colleagues.

Problem Solving

• Innovative and problem-solving mind-set;
• Is able to solve problems of varying degrees of complexity; approaches issues with new perspectives; analyses situations from a multitude of intervening factors.

Impact

• Has an impact on the programme development and delivery.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Skilled communicator, is able to draft a variety of written materials in a timely manner (including succinct briefs, online material as well as longer reports and analysis);
• Fluency in English and Spanish, oral and written is essential;
• Liaises regularly with all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her projects;
• Motivated, positive, enthusiastic, thrives in and can adapt to an international environment.

Education and Experience

• University degree in social science, political sciences, law, international development or other relevant discipline;
• Minimum three (3) years experience in democratic governance, including substantial internship(s);
• Experience of working on EU-projects and/or with national parliaments, as well as familiarity with EU processes and systems considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Belgium.

Fixed-term appointment until 31 December 2021

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CEST) 30 August 2020. Please note that all applications must be made in English.
• You may apply directly by pressing the Send Application button.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.