Special Advisor

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.


Special Advisor

The main functions of the post:
1. Support to the Secretary-General
2. Analysis and advice
3. Facilitation and liaison with internal and external stakeholders

Context:
The Secretary-General’s responsibilities to external audiences call for an intense level of in-person and written interaction. To ensure that the relationship with each contact is managed to its full potential, the Special Advisor assists the Secretary-General with substantive preparations of his external engagements and related internal processes. Assignments involve work of a confidential/complex nature, necessitating exposure to sensitive information and contacts, which requires considerable discretion, judgment, tact and diplomacy as well as a practical knowledge of the Institute’s procedures, policies and activities. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to analyse text and present information in a concise way both orally and in writing.

The main functions of the post:
1. Co-ordinates and manages planning of the Secretary-General’s activities, including related communication;
2. Provides analysis of global and regional developments; identifies opportunities and provides substance for IDEA’s contribution to international policy debates, advocacy and programmatic responses;
3. Prepares briefings, speeches and articles for the Secretary-General with targeting discussions in the international community of relevance to IDEA’s mandate, key impact areas and programme priorities;
4. Communicates with programmatic teams on an ongoing basis in order to facilitate coherence between IDEA’s strategy, the Secretary-General’s external representation and IDEA’s programmatic work;
5. Assists the Secretary-General in liaison with IDEA’s regional programmes;
6. Provides content and analysis to IDEA’s strategic planning process and reports of the Secretary General;
7. Supports preparations of speeches and other written texts for the Secretary-General;
8. Performs such other tasks as are requested by the Secretary-General;
9. Actively integrates a gender perspective in all programming activities.

Qualifications and Required Skills:

Education:
University graduate degree, in Law, Public Administration, Political Science or equivalent.

Professional Experience:
Minimum of ten (10) years experience in dealing with management and implementation, provision of expert advice, analysis and/or advocacy in the field of democracy, governance, social development or human rights in an international context.

Functional Competencies:
1. High level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity;
2. Good knowledge of international affairs and key challenges in the area of democracy assistance; good understanding of various bilateral and multilateral donor policies;
3. Ability to relate to and influence policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc;
4. Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills;
5. Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective;
6. Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences;
7. Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication;
8. Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills;
9. Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners;
10. Excellent interpersonal skills;
11. High analytical capacity;
12. Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Computer Skills:
Knowledge of Microsoft Office package (including Excel) and Internet

Language Skills:
English: Fluent written and oral;
Other: Any other language spoken in an IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Criteria for Professional Performance:
The incumbent is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities, as appropriate to their role, display the following:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change
2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive
3. Lead By Example
4. Be a Decision Maker
5. Be a Model of Integrity
6. Celebrate Diversity
7. Be a Team Worker/Builder
8. Strive for Success and Excellence
9. Plan and Organize

Terms of contract: International Post - 3 year fixed term appointment.

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

Apply online:
http://www.idea.int/about/vacancies/create_cv.cfm

Should internet not be an option, applications can be submitted to International IDEA by fax: +46-20 24 22 or by post: International IDEA, SE-103 34, Stockholm, Sweden