Job: Legal and Procedures Adviser – Afghanistan

Location: Kabul 
Deadline: 10 Oct 2013 

Description

Technical Advisory Service to the Electoral Dispute Resolution Body in Afghanistan Legal and Procedures Adviser – Afghanistan

Title: Legal and Procedures Adviser – Afghanistan Start Date: September 2013 Period of Performance: One year

Background: An effective electoral complaints adjudication system in Afghanistan is essential for bolstering the legitimacy and credibility of elections and serving as an official outlet for electoral complaints. After the adoption of two new electoral laws in Afghanistan, the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC)—the key national body for electoral dispute resolution—has now been established as a permanent institution. This presents a unique opportunity for IFES to contribute to the sustained credibility of the electoral process in Afghanistan by supporting the institutional development and operation of the IECC.

IFES has considerable experience with electoral dispute resolution in Afghanistan, having provided technical support to the IECC and Independent Election Commission (IEC) for the 2009 and 2010 elections. IFES’ seeks to directly contribute to electoral integrity for the 2014 Presidential election and 2015 Parliamentary elections by providing technical advisory services to the IECC, and supporting the IECC as it establishes a permanent presence within Afghanistan’s fledgling democracy. Specifically, IFES will provide: strategic policy and implementation advice on electoral matters; assistance on operational planning and institutional cooperation; technical advice on regulations and procedures; and assistance in strategic planning and implementation for both training and public outreach.

Activities and Responsibilities: In support of these goals, the Legal and Procedures Adviser will perform the following tasks, with an emphasis on building sustainable institutional legal expertise:

• Under the guidance of the Senior Electoral Dispute Resolution Adviser, and working alongside the Training Adviser and Public Outreach Adviser, strengthen the capacity of the IECC to function as a permanent, independent, credible and professional institution of governance; • Facilitate the provision of legal advice – in close coordination with the international peer review board – on the current legal framework regarding election adjudication in Afghanistan, including legal provisions regulating the conduct of various electoral stakeholders during various phases of elections; • Assist the legal department of the IECC in addressing issues related to the regulations governing the establishment and operation of the IECC; • Provide advice and technical assistance to the IECC in developing clear standards and procedures governing the resolution of electoral disputes, and work with the Public Outreach Adviser and public outreach department to publicize and facilitate understanding of those standards and procedures; • Support the development of policies, procedures, and programmatic activities that will guide all facets of IECC operations, including but not limited to the following: finance and administration, operations and logistics, public outreach and communications, hiring of personnel and training; • Assist the IECC in the design and roll-out of a standardized complaint form, and link this to capacity building efforts with regard to complaints tracking, data entry and record-keeping; • Support the IECC in the development and institutionalization of a triage methodology to guarantee speedy adjudication of grievances; • Provide technical advice to the IECC on the development and institutionalization of procedures for addressing misconduct or violations by staff, and encourage institutional awareness of the procedures; • Increase the professional capacity of the IECC legal team members to function as legal specialists and to build strong and sustained relationships with other government agencies and the judiciary; • Facilitate effective coordination with national and international institutions involved in the electoral process, including the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and civil society organizations; • Support the IECC and other relevant stakeholders in conducting a post-election review with the aim of continuously reviewing and improving of rules and procedures; • Conduct other functions as requested by the IECC.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate must have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in legal advising, electoral regulations and procedures issues, or electoral technical assistance, including at least 5 years in providing technical advice to an EDR body and/or working on EDR issues. S/he will have a strong combination of the following experience:

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent, preferably in the field of International Law or a relevant legal field; • Experience drafting rules, procedures and regulations for an EDR body or equivalent, as well as providing legal advice and capacity building to electoral institutions; • Proven expertise in legal analysis, regulatory reform, electoral systems and dispute resolution; • Excellent strategic planning, project design and management, and technical leadership skills relevant to electoral reform and electoral institution development; • Excellent oral and written ability to convey, resolve, and advise on complex technical concepts in English, including presentation experience; knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto is desirable; and • Experience in Afghanistan or similar context; knowledge of Afghan culture and Islamic context is an advantage.

Applying:
Applications will be accepted online only, through the IFES website. To apply visit our careers website athttp://www.ifes.org/About/Careers.aspx . Then follow the instructions on how to upload your resume and answer prescreening questions. A cover letter is welcome and can be placed in the applicant notes section.

How to apply:

Applying:
Applications will be accepted online only, through the IFES website. To apply visit our careers website athttp://www.ifes.org/About/Careers.aspx . Then follow the instructions on how to upload your resume and answer prescreening questions. A cover letter is welcome and can be placed in the applicant notes section