Head, Political Parties Affairs Department

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), re-established by proclamation No. 1133/2011, is the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections, organize referendum and regulate political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE is working to boost its’ institutional strength with a special focus on enhancement of human resource capacity. Accordingly, NEBE would like to invite applicants for Head, Political Parties Affairs Department position who meet the following requirements.

Required number: One

Reports to: Deputy Board Chairperson

Duty station: NEBE Head Quarter, Addis Ababa

Duration: Permanent

Salary: As per the organization salary scale (Competitive)

Job Summary

Head, Political Parties Affairs Department is responsible for oversees the coordination and engagement with political parties, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and understanding of their perspectives and needs.

This role involves building relationships, analysing political trends, and providing strategic guidance to the organization’s leadership. The Head of Political Parties Affairs plays a key role in fostering political inclusivity and democratic processes.

Duties and responsibilities

Primary responsibilities of Head Political Affairs Department:

• Regulating and monitoring the activities of political parties to ensure compliance with electoral laws and regulations.
• Facilitating a level playing field for all political parties to contest elections.
• Promoting voter education about the roles and responsibilities of political parties in a democratic society.

Registration and Accreditation of Political Parties

• Registering and accrediting political parties in accordance with electoral laws.

Compliance and Regulation

• Monitoring political parties’ compliance with campaign finance regulations and electoral codes of conduct.

Equitable Access to Resources and Media

• Take measures to ensure all political parties have equitable access to public resources and media coverage.

Monitoring Political Party Activities

• Implement procedures to monitor the activities of political parties and address any violations or irregularities.

Public Funding for Political Parties

• Allocate and distribute public funding to political parties, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Support to and Collaboration with Political Parties

• Provide assistance to political parties by offering capacity-building initiatives, including training sessions for both the united business sector and the coalition of female politicians.
• Engaging in constructive dialogue and cooperation with political parties to promote democratic practices.

Intra-Party Dispute Resolution

• Facilitate inter-party dialogue.

Ethical Guidelines

• Reinforce ethical principles, including impartiality and fairness, in all interactions with political parties.

Transparency and Accountability

• Ensure transparency in the department’s processes and accountability in decision-making.

Budget and Resource Allocation

• Plan resources and budget requirements for the department’s activities related to political party affairs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your line manager.

Specification:

Education and Work Experience:

• MA degree or PHD in in Law, political Science, Human Rights, International Relations or any related field.
• 10 years for Masters or 8 years for PHD (4 years in leadership position)

Knowledge and Skill:

• In-depth knowledge of political systems, electoral processes, and political party dynamics.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex political situations and trends.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management abilities in political or civic engagement initiatives.
• Ethical mindset with a commitment to transparency, impartiality, and democratic values.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s political context.
• Knowledge of the electoral cycle approach, election observation/electoral assistance is a must.
• Strong planning, communication and writing skills.
• Excellent computer literacy.
• Excellent working level of English and Amharic languages; in both writing and speaking.
• Not member of a political party.
• Enthusiastic team player and team leader.
• Ability to perform effectively under high pressure, hardship conditions and long working hours.
• Ability to work with senior management.
• Willingness to adhere to all principles of confidentiality.
• Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Sound analytical judgment.
• Ability to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines.
• High sense of integrity, have a strong ethical and moral principles, confidentiality and initiating sound judgment.
• An energetic self-starter with resilience, pace, interpersonal flexibility and comfort with ambiguity to succeed within the evolving and sometimes demanding context.
• Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility, responsibility, integrity, teamwork, self- motivation, preparedness to work off time.
• Ability to work with result-orientated and efficient manner.
• Capacity to handle sensitive political issues with diplomacy and in a responsible and flexible manner.