Civic and Voter Awareness Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands, on the ground since 1999, has earned a reputation as a trustworthy development partner in the collective effort of supporting Solomon Islands in achieving the objectives of the National Development Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP works with people and their governments to address the country's various development challenges.We support Solomon Islands in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustaining its growth trajectory by modernising institutions, reducing inequalities, digitally transforming communities, combating climate change and sustainably managing natural resources.As part of the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, which covers 10 countries in the Pacific region and guided by the Sub-regional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories 2018-2022, UNDP in Solomon Islands has a growing portfolio of country focused interventions in the areas of:Effective GovernanceInclusive GrowthResilience and Sustainable DevelopmentUNDP also partners with the Solomon Islands Government in undertaking policy level initiatives, including the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, digital transformation, and others

Context

The UNDP “Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project” (SECSIP) supports the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission and other national institutions providing technical assistance through the electoral cycle (pre-election; elections/polling and post-election) for the conducting inclusive and credible electoral processes. SECSIP phase 1 was implemented from July 2013 until June 2017. A second three-year project was rolled out in July 2017. The project is now transitioning to its third phase expected to end in December 2024.SECSIP is funded by the Government of Australia and UNDP. The project aims to continue building synergies and strategic partnerships with a range of national stakeholders from government and civil society to ensure that an enabling environment for credible and inclusive elections is created. The overarching objective is to strengthen the link between the electoral cycle and other key governance processes and institutions contributing to social cohesion and the development of a pluralistic society.This UNV assignment is part of SECSIP third phase. SECSIP III will focus on enhancing inclusive, informed and transparent electoral processes through accountable and effective institutions. SECSIP assistance will also contribute to enhancing and expanding social inclusion, particularly of disadvantaged segments of the population including women, young people and people with disabilities (PWD). The Project will work towards achieving the overarching outcome of ‘more sustainable and inclusive electoral institutions and practices in support of democratic governance in Solomon Islands’ through the four following outputs:Output 1: Institutional and Operational Capacities of the Electoral Authorities StrengthenedOutput 2: Capacity of national authorities and local networks to provide voter information and awareness and to encourage civic engagement strengthenedOutput 3: Legal Electoral Framework ImprovedOutput 4: Women’s Political Participation Strengthened

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNDP SECSIP Chief Technical Adviser or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Civic and Voter Awareness Assistant will:1. In compliance with UNDP Rules, Regulations and policies, the incumbent will be part of SECSIP Graduate Programme. For this assignment, the incumbent will be co-located at the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO). The incumbent general duties and responsibilities will include the following:- Assist in the identification of awareness needs, planning and development of contents related to the mandate of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and its Electoral Office.- Identify and plan awareness raising activities to enhance the general knowledge of the role of the SIEC and SIEO;- Liaise and coordinate with other stakeholders as guided by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and SIEO Communications and Awareness Senior Officer;- Provide a monthly report on the activities carried out in support of the mandates of SIEC and SIEO and UNDP SECSIP project implementation;- Any other task as identified by SECSIP Project Manager and by the CEO and SIEO Communication and Awareness Senior Officer in consultation with UNDP Project Management.2. Specific tasks in support of the SIEO expected to be performed under this assignment include:- Support SIEO Communication and Awareness Team coordination of Civic and Voter education outreach programs; contribute to the elaboration of awareness and civic engagement activity plans and the production of related documentation;- Assist in development of key messages, provision of contents including texts, scripts and suggestions for illustrations, video and audio productions for Civic and Voter education and training materials. This can include manuals, guides, brochures, leaflets, posters, videos, radio spots.- Assist in procurement, production and dissemination of Civic and Voter Awareness materials- Support the SIEO communication and awareness team with the preparation and effective implementation of consultations, training sessions, workshops in accordance with the approved plans. This may include facilitation of training sessions for Civic and Voter education teams, conduct training workshops for election officials and other stakeholders;- Assist in the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools to measure impact and progress as a result of the activities implemented.- Assist in the implementation of SIEO strategies and activities related to communication and awareness pertaining to voter registration, national general election, provincial assembly elections and by-elections.- Perform other tasks as requested by UNDP SECSIP in consultation with Solomon Islands Electoral Office Communication and Awareness Senior Officer.Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);· Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;· Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.· Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc;· Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;· Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.