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Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
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 7th 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.
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.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Support institutional capacity development of NEBE operational staff.
- Participate in designing training plans and operational manuals.
- Strengthen operational planning capacities.
- Deliver targeted operational training.
- Strengthen data-driven operational planning.
- Improve polling station planning methodologies.
- Support operational dashboards and monitoring systems.
- Improve reporting and tracking systems.
- Support engagement with operational stakeholders by conducting regular coordination meetings and progress reviews.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
System Thinking
Communication
Risk Management
Results-based Management
Electoral Operations Management
Institutional Capacity Development
Strategic Operational Planning
- 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.
- 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.
Electoral logistics and procurement.
- Ballot design and printing oversight.
- Stakeholder coordination in complex political environments.
- 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.
Fluency in English and Amharic is required;
- Working knowledge of additional local languages will be an asset.
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.
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.
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.
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