Electoral Security Advisor at International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Project Description:
The International Foundation for Electoral System was established in 1987 in Washington DC in USA to provide technical support to election management bodies and other election stakeholders. IFES mission is to deepen democracy by ensuring that election management bodies deliver on their constitutional responsibilities of conducting credible elections. IFES has been in Nigeria since 1998 and had been working with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the State Independent Electoral Commission, civil society, the judiciary and the political parties among several other stakeholders.
IFES seeks an Electoral Security Advisor to work with INEC on electoral security matters and preparedness ahead of the upcoming general elections. This position will work closely with the COP and INEC to improve electoral security preparedness, contributing to secure and peaceful elections in 2015.

Job Responsibilities:
• Assess the current status of electoral security matters and preparedness of INEC for upcoming national elections;
• Support INEC to strengthen planning and response capacity of Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja and replicate at state levels;
• Assist INEC and ICCES in conflict mapping exercise, including risks to electoral processes;
• Assist INEC in compiling national map of polling units, assignment of risk levels as well as support creating the polling unit public interface;
• Assist INEC in developing crisis communication plan and incorporate into Election Operations Support Centers (EOSCs) and ICCES;
• Assist INEC in integration of election security matters into EOSC planning including the possibility of establishment polling unit security threat level assignment system for State level EOSCs;
• Establish training to EOSC on crisis management strategy to address possible scenarios;
• Assist INEC in developing and incorporating security guidelines into training of electoral officials, ad-hoc staff and security agents;
• Carry out any other tasks at the request of the IFES COP.

Qualifications:
• University degree or advanced education / certified training in Security
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in Electoral Security
• Prior experience in working with Electoral Commission/s on Nationwide Electoral Security Matters
• Prior experience working in West Africa preferred
• Sensitivity to local political environment and customs
• Proven ability to plan and ensure targets are met
• Ability to transfer skills and work in close cooperation with local counterparts