Project Officer - Democratic parliaments

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

The consultant will work in the Resource Centre in the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and report to the head of the Resource Centre. The position will focus on activities related to the first strategic objective in the IPU Strategy 2017-2021, “Build strong, democratic parliaments”, as well as targets 16.6 and 16.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Accountabilities

Within delegated authority, the consultant will be entrusted with the following:

• Organize and implement, in cooperation with parliaments, various activities related to standards and knowledge for democratic parliaments. This will include, inter alia, preparing work plans and terms of reference for project activities, identifying experts/consultants, producing publications, organizing seminars and expert meetings, conducting analyses and producing relevant reports, participating in missions, monitoring and evaluating results achieved;
• Monitor project expenditures within approved funding and keep administrative records in respect of project activities;
• Draft activity reports on the implementation of projects for submission to donors and IPU’s governing bodies;
• Provide material for publication on the IPU website and in other media on project activities and results;
• Undertake background research for purposes of backstopping project activities;
• Identify opportunities for co-operation with relevant entities and projects and propose relevant steps to implement such opportunities;
• Provide, as requested, other assistance in areas relevant to democratic parliaments.

 

Deliverables

• Follow-up to the Global Parliamentary Report on parliamentary oversight, including production of tools, organization of joint activities with parliaments and tracking parliamentary actions
• Organization of the IPU’s contribution to the International Day of Democracy 2018 (15 September), including creation of information materials for parliaments and organization of an event during Geneva Democracy Week.
• Development of indicators for democratic parliaments, in relation to SDGs 16.6 and 16.7
• Finalization of an “Issues Brief” on parliamentary initiative in law-making and initiation of one additional Issues Brief
• Assistance to democracy-related activities at IPU Assemblies

 

Work will involve regular interaction with:

• Parliaments, including parliamentarians, Secretaries General and parliamentary staff
• Parliamentary experts, consultants, interns
• Researchers and academia

• Partner organizations, including UNDP and the ASGP
• IPU’s Division of Programmes and other teams

 

Requirements

Candidates for the consultancy should be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field, and 5 years’ professional experience at increasing levels of responsibility
• Experience in managing projects in an international environment. Demonstrated ability to achieve expected results and outcomes. Experience with mainstreaming gender and human rights
• Good knowledge of politics and political systems. Personal commitment to the core values of parliament and democracy. Experience of working with parliaments is desirable.
• Strong research skills and methods. Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively. Good knowledge of online communication tools
• Proficiency in English or French, and working-level knowledge of the other. Other languages are highly desirable, particularly Spanish or Arabic

 

Duration

The consultancy is for the period 1 May to 31 December 2018. Subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds, the consultancy may be extended through 2019.

 

Location

The consultancy will be based at the IPU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The work is likely to involve occasional travel, the costs of which will be covered by the IPU.

 

Employment conditions

The External Collaborator is an independent contractor, is not considered to be an official or employee of the IPU and is not subject to the IPU Staff Regulations and Staff Rules. The External Collaborator is not entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely liable for the payment of any national income tax due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract. The External Collaborator will not be included in the IPU pension scheme.

 

Recruitment principles

Our guiding principle in selecting candidates is to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. We do not discriminate on any grounds and are committed to promoting diversity in our workforce. 

Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and to achieving gender balance. We strive to provide an environment where the contribution of each individual is valued.

All our employees are expected to possess the following qualities:

• Motivation and a strong commitment to our principles
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team
• High level of technical knowledge relevant to the post
• Work experience at national and/or international level
• Fluency in at least one of our official languages (English, French) and a working knowledge of a second language. Additional languages are an asset

We ask all our staff to agree to our Code of conduct for personnel  and our Fraud and corruption prevention policy available at https://www.ipu.org/about-us/working-with-ipu.