Election Mission Director: Georgia

Assignment: August – October 2021
 
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is seeking an Election Mission Director to oversee the reporting of a team of long-term analysts (LTAs) for the October 2021 municipal elections in Georgia. The Election Mission Director should be available to deploy to Tbilisi, pending an assessment of the safety and allowability of travel to and within Georgia, from September through October. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, deployment may not be possible, and candidates should be prepared to conduct remote analysis, if needed. In the event of deployment, NDI will require mission participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Primary responsibilities include designing and overseeing the observation reports from LTAs and analyzing findings on the long-term political and electoral environment. The Director will ensure observation and analysis is in line with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers and national legislation. The Mission Director works closely with and reports directly to the NDI-Georgia Resident Country Director based in Tbilisi, and coordinates with the NDI headquarters in Washington, DC.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the international election observation mission to Georgian stakeholders, international observation missions, and the diplomatic community;
• Verify scopes of work, develop reporting plans (including forms and schedule), and receive reports from LTAs, who will develop analyses on issues such as election administration, political campaigns, media and information integrity, and gender and inclusion.
• Serve as LTAs’ chief point of contact in Georgia and maintain regular correspondence between and amongst LTAs and the NDI program team;
• In collaboration with NDI program staff, design orientation and briefings for LTAs upon their arrival in country and facilitate debriefings following the election;
• When necessary, update and provide LTAs with information on online and offline activities taking place, such as campaign events and pertinent election commission activities; work with NDI program staff to provide LTAs with information on key contacts; and share election-related information from the government, relevant political developments, and reports from other observer organizations;
• Compile an internal weekly report for the Resident Country Director, and NDI field and DC program staff that covers the LTA observations for that period;
• Assist with drafting of any interim reports issued;
• Communicate sensitive or critical information to the NDI Resident Country Director and NDI field and DC program staff, such as logistic or security concerns, major local political situations and events, etc.;
• Provide additional support as needed to NDI and the mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in international relations, law, political science, gender studies or related subject, Master’s Degree preferred;
• A minimum of ten (10) years relevant work experience at the national or international level; including serving as coordinator for election observers or as part of a long-term observation mission’s core team;
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a sensitive political environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of and/or lead an internationally and culturally diverse team, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Experience directing both in-person and remote election analysis and ability to adapt as needed to changing health and political risks;
• Exceptional interpersonal and managerial skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of local stakeholders, foreign government personnel, the diplomatic community and donors;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to effectively present information in a clear and persuasive manner;
• Analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues;
• Ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders;
• Experience working and living in Eastern Europe or Eurasia, specifically Georgia, preferred;
• Ability to quickly adapt to new and challenging living environments;
• Knowledge of PC-based word processing and e-mail technology; and
• Fluent written and spoken English required.

Comments:
Position contingent on availability of funding.

NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making.  Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or medical-related condition.
 

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