Pakistan: Senior Expert Democratic Governance

Position Title:Senior Expert Democratic Governance (EU-funded Consortium Project)

Position Location: Islamabad, Pakistan – with possibilities of travel to the provinces

Contract Period: 36 months

Start Date: November 2016 (contingent upon funding)

Background:

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions world-wide.

DRI as part of a consortium is applying for the EU-funded project “Strengthening Parliamentary Institutions” to support democratic institutions and promote human rights in Pakistan. The project aims to achieve following three results while working with provincial assemblies:

Result 1: Strengthened institutional development process and frameworks of assemblies and better equipped elected representatives, selected committees and other parliamentary bodies at provincial level;

Result 2: Strengthened assemblies' secretariats at provincial level;

Result 3: Improved transparency and accessibility of provincial assemblies

Duties and responsibilities (indicative list): The Senior Expert Democratic Governance works under the supervision of the Team Leader for the project. S/he will work with provincial assemblies providing them support in/through:

· Developing strategic plans;

· Reviewing and reforming rules of procedures;

· Conducting capacity building workshops of elected representatives for institutional development of assemblies;

· Deployment of Young Parliamentary Associates in the provincial assemblies;

· Reviewing and upgrading of human resources policies;

· Identifying possible Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) tools to help automate the proceedings and functions of the assembly;

· Devising and implementing initiatives for the increasing parliamentary outreach.

Qualifications & Skills:

• University degree at Masters' level in social and/or political science, public and/or business administration, law or related discipline or as an equivalent first university degree and 3 years more than the minimum years of general experience defined below;

• Excellent leadership, management, inter-personal, communication (written and oral), networking and reporting skills;

• Ability to work at senior parliamentary level; ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines;

• Proficiency in written and oral English language;

• Knowledge of Urdu is desirable.

General professional experience:

• At least ten years professional experience in the field of democratic governance development covering a wide range of areas, including support to parliamentary reforms, institutional development, public administration reforms, good governance, civil society capacity building, political parties’ development.

• Experience in work with provincial assemblies is an advantage.

Specific professional experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in managing comprehensive parliamentary development programmes including capacity development in a range of parliamentary functions;

• Experience in assisting parliamentary committees, and parliamentary Rules of Business;

• Experience in project management, including in the design, budget preparation, implementation, and monitoring of projects and programmes, preferably in parliamentary development. Experience in a management position or as a project Team Leader of a minimum 3 years;

• Sound knowledge of the context in Pakistan;

• Knowledge of EU policies and programmes in the area of democratisation, good governance

• and human rights, is an advantage;

• Good familiarity with gender issues related to democratic governance;

• International parliamentary experience and/or exposure to international parliamentary practices is an advantage.

Closing date for applications: 12 July 2016

Early applications are encouraged. Recruitment may close before the deadline if an applicant is found.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. The award of the contract is contingent on funding for this project.

This is a locally recruited position. DRI offers a competitive salary according to donor regulations and incumbent experience.

For interested applicants, please send your application (cover letter, CV and three references) to asia@democracy-reporting.org with “Senior Expert Democratic Governance” as the subject heading and supporting documents in the following format: SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_GOVERNANCEEXPERT