Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization that advances democracy worldwide, as a universal human aspiration and an enabler of sustainable development, through support to the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels.

Based on its institutional strategy, International IDEA focuses on six (6) workstreams: Electoral processes; Constitution Building processes; Political participation and representation; Climate change and democracy; Digitalization and democracy; and Democracy assessments (including the analysis of the global state of democracy). We also address Gender Equality and Inclusion and Money in Politics as they relate to democracy.

In Latin America, Institutions essential to democratic regimes are increasingly under stress and, in some cases, weakened due to factors such as political polarization, digitalization, rising violence, and other pressures. Questions about the impartiality of electoral institutions, challenges to electoral results, declining public trust, disinformation campaigns, in-person or virtual attacks on electoral officials, and rising electoral violence—especially against women through digital means—are all troubling aspects of this new scenario.

International IDEA will implement a project funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) aimed at strengthening electoral integrity ecosystems with a focus on a gender-inclusive approach to prevent democratic backsliding in Latin America. The project will focus on Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.

The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall direction of the project and will lead and coordinate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of all related project activities, ensuring attainment of project objectives and ensuring compliance with both International IDEA and donor regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Leads the implementation of the project;
2. Ensures oversight of project funds in accordance with donor and International IDEA's regulations, and in collaboration with the RLAC office;
3. Identifies opportunities for innovative project design;
4. Provides timely project-related progress reports to the Director Latin America and the Caribbean Region (RLAC);
5. Liaises and works programmatically with relevant local, national, and intergovernmental bodies;
6. Represents International IDEA at meetings and events, and develops and maintains positive and effective relationships with governments, donors and other relevant stakeholders, including electoral management bodies, traditional and digital media outlets, and civil society organizations;
7. Design training material on political violence, with an emphasis on gender-based digital violence, that will serve as the basis of capacity development activities;
8. Plans, facilitates, participates in, and makes presentations at, relevant meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, and online training courses;
9. Enables dialogues and builds trust among key stakeholders, particularly women in political leadership positions in the region, for the development of an action plan/manifesto to prevent gender-based political violence;
10. Leads the development of knowledge products and communication materials; prepares reports and develops content for the International IDEA website and on social media in collaboration with the Regional Office;
11. Manages a team of staff and consultants to ensure full delivery of agreed project deliverables;
12. Manages the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) component of the project, supporting its compliance with International IDEA's M&E results framework and donor policies and procedures;
13. Document lessons learned, stories, case studies and evidence related to the delivery of project results.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Manages assigned projects throughout the project life cycle, i.e., from strategic planning and project design, funding, and budgeting to project assessment and accountability; leads meetings and discussions, supervises publications and input from external providers;
• Has contributed to publications on their relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
• Has the intellectual leadership in integrating innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Directly manages a team of contributors to the project, including staff members and possibly consultants;
• Fosters team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for colleagues;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects.
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA's Core Values: Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a gender and inclusion perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Director Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

Education and Experience

• A postgraduate degree in political science, public administration, international relations, social sciences or related fields is essential;
• A certification in gender studies is desirable;
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working with electoral management bodies on issues relating to electoral integrity, gender-based political violence and disinformation;
• Experience in the Latin America and Caribbean region is essential. Experience in Chile, Mexico or Colombia is considered an asset;
• A minimum of three (3) years of solid experience in successful project management and team management;
• Experience from an international and/or regional organization, civil society organization, or think tank working on democracy assistance is considered an asset;
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Spanish is required. Proficiency in any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would be considered an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post
• Fixed term appointment until 31 December 2026
• Remuneration -  CLP 5,699,500 GROSS per month

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Chile for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CET) on the  27th of November 2024. 
• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.