Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is an independent constitutional body mandated to conduct free, fair, credible, and transparent elections in accordance with Proclamation No. 1133/2019. In June 2026, NEBE has successfully administered the 2026 General Elections under a complex operational and security environment. Following the conclusion of the electoral process, NEBE is transitioning into a critical post-election phase focused on institutional consolidation, operational review, preservation of electoral systems and expertise, implementation of lessons learned, and strengthening preparedness for future electoral events, including re-elections, and subsequent national elections.

To support this transition, NEBE seeks to engage a Electoral Operations and Institutional Strengthening Specialist to provide technical and operational support in strengthening institutional systems, enhancing sustainability of election operations, and supporting strategic operational planning for future electoral processes including the post election activities of the 7^th general elections and conducting on the remaining and re-elections.

The Strengthening Ethiopia's Elections for Democratic Sustainability (SEEDS II) implemented by UNDP has been partnering with NEBE since July 2023, superseding previous cycle of electoral assistance to Ethiopia (SEEDS I). The overall goal of the project is to strengthen electoral systems and processes that promote inclusion, gender equality, transparency and accountability through an effective and sustainable electoral management body and strengthened electoral stakeholders.

In this context, UNDP is seeking to recruit a highly qualified professional for this important role. The Specialist will report to the Deputy Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and work under the Strategic Direction of NEBE Chairperson and in close collaboration with the Senior NEBE Management.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of this assignment is to support NEBE in consolidating operational gains from the 2026 General Elections, strengthening institutional systems and operational readiness, documenting lessons learned, and improving long-term planning, procurement, logistics, and operational frameworks for future electoral events.

Results Verification, Post-Election Operational Review and Lessons Learned

Lead results verification process for the remaining and re-elections by;

Establishing verification teams.
Ensuring accuracy and integrity of the results received from constituencies.
Participate in post-election lessons learned and operational review of the 2026 General Elections.
Document key operational successes, bottlenecks, and risks.
Develop recommendations for improving future electoral operations.
Support preparation of post-election lessons learned reports.
Facilitate internal debriefing sessions across departments.

Support Remaining and Re-Elections processes under the NEBE management

Support operational planning for possible re-elections, and other special electoral events.
Assess readiness gaps and operational requirements.
Develop rapid deployment operational plans.
Manage development and finalization of election materials for the remaining and re-elections.
Work with international graphic designer to produce standardized materials, review and approve artworks.
Monitor the production and delivery of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials including ballot printing.

Institutional Strengthening and Systems Sustainability

Support NEBE in preserving operational knowledge, systems, tools, and procedures developed during the election cycle.
In collaboration with the NEBE ICT team, revise the software developed for both electoral and non-electoral periods, and upgrade the systems to improve internal coordination mechanisms and the execution of elections.
Strengthen institutional SOPs and operational workflows.
Support archiving and knowledge management systems.

International Procurement Planning and Framework Development

Review procurement process of the 2026 elections.
Identify efficiency gains and cost-saving opportunities.
Update technical specifications of all the internationally procured electoral materials.
Prepare a document/guideline with the updated specifications and flow of the process to be used as a reference document for future use.

Capacity Building and Professionalization

Support institutional capacity development of NEBE operational staff.
Participate in designing training plans and operational manuals.
Strengthen operational planning capacities.
Deliver targeted operational training.

Operational Data and Planning Systems

Strengthen data-driven operational planning.
Improve polling station planning methodologies.
Support operational dashboards and monitoring systems.
Improve reporting and tracking systems.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

Support engagement with operational stakeholders by conducting regular coordination meetings and progress reviews.

Strategic Operational Planning

Contribute to NEBE’s medium-term operational strategy.
Support long-term election calendar planning.
Support scenario planning.
Improve operational risk management frameworks.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The Specialist will be embedded at the NEBE. She/he will report to the CTA and work under strategic guidance of the NEBE Chairperson. She/he will coordinate closely with NEBE Senior Management.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management

Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication;
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Risk Management
- Ability to identify operational risks, assess their impact, and design mitigation strategies to ensure continuity and successful delivery of operations in complex and high-risk environments.
Results-based Management
- Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Electoral Operations and Institutional Strengthening

Electoral Operations Management
- Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee complex electoral operations, including logistics, procurement, materials management, and operational readiness, while ensuring compliance with legal frameworks, timelines, and international standards.
Institutional Capacity Development
- Ability to strengthen institutional systems, operational processes, and organizational capacities to improve efficiency, sustainability, and long-term operational resilience of electoral institutions.
Strategic Operational Planning
- Ability to develop operational strategies, implementation plans, and scenario-based planning frameworks for future electoral events, including re-elections, by-elections, and national elections.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Social Science and Related Field is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in project or logistics management, especially in election management, is required.

Required skills:

Electoral logistics and procurement.
Ballot design and printing oversight.
Stakeholder coordination in complex political environments.

Desired additional skills:

Familiarity with Ethiopian electoral framework and socio-political context and prior experience working on elections in Ethiopia will be a strong asset.
International electoral experience or experience with UNDP or similar organization working on electoral support will be highly considered.
Previous role in advising electoral management body is desired.

Required Languages:

Fluency in English and Amharic is required;
Working knowledge of additional local languages will be an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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Senior Electoral Operations and Institutional Strengthening Specialist [Open to internal and external applicants]