Information Analyst

Background

The project operates within the framework of the re-established National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) as mandated by Proclamation No. 1133/2011. NEBE is responsible for conducting elections, organizing referendums, and regulating political parties in Ethiopia. The position in question is crucial within the organizational structure of NEBE, contributing to the enhancement of human resource capacity, a key focus area for the institution.

NEBE aims to strengthen its institutional capacity, particularly focusing on human resource development. The United Nations has been a consistent supporter of Ethiopia’s electoral processes since the country transitioned to a multi-party system in 1993. UN support, in collaboration with national and international partners, has been instrumental in enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral processes. This project aligns with NEBE’s objectives to improve institutional and operational capacity, engage civil society organizations, facilitate electoral reform initiatives, enhance women’s participation, and address election-related violence.

The services required will directly contribute to the fulfillment of NEBE’s objectives and the overall project goals. By providing support in developing institutional and operational capacity, assisting civil society organizations, facilitating electoral reforms, promoting gender equality in electoral processes, and mitigating election-related violence, the position will play a vital role in ensuring transparent, inclusive, and effective electoral processes in Ethiopia. Challenges within the project may include navigating complex political landscapes, addressing cultural nuances and practices unique to various stakeholders, and managing security risks associated with conducting electoral work in diverse communities across Ethiopia.

The project also faces the challenge of ensuring sustained support and engagement until the completion of the electoral cycle in December 2025. To achieve the project’s objectives successfully, efforts to navigate these challenges will require strategic planning, effective stakeholder engagement, and a comprehensive understanding of the local context.

Scope of Work

The Information Analyst oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of technology systems related to election and corporate processes within NEBE. This includes managing Election Management Systems (EMS), voter registration technologies, and election results systems The role involves ensuring the integrity and security of the ICT Infrastructure managing ICT staff, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance electoral technology services. Additionally, the Information Analyst must stay updated on technological advancements and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

The Information Analyst is responsible for:

• Overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of technology systems for election processes (e.g., voter registration and results processing);
• Ensuring the integrity, security, and reliability of ICT infrastructure;
• Managing ICT staff and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance electoral technology services;
• Providing training and support to staff/election workers on technology use;
• Developing long-term technology plans and integrating advancements in electoral technology;
• Planning and budgeting for new technologies and maintaining existing systems;
• Ensuring data confidentiality and security in voter information and election results.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Information Analyst  will submit monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual reports to the DGP Unit of UNDP through the SEEDS2 project manager;
• The Information Analyst works under the general guidance of the Chairperson of NEBE and the close supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor.

Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline;

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction and Strategy

• System Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system.
• Features and Foresight
  • Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends, and use them to inform decision-making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications, and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models;
  • Ability to develop scenarios, and speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures helps people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research information and turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to stated needs. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Communication
  • Communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy
  • Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirement:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration instead of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Minimum 2 years (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in managing large-scale IT projects (preferably nationwide) with knowledge of data center operations, virtualization, and cloud computing.

Required Skills

• Hands-on experience with networking hardware/software (routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs).

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

• ERP system deployment and implementation;
• IT governance, regulatory compliance, and disaster recovery planning;
• Vendor management, cybersecurity enhancement, and risk management;
• Project Management (PMP) and Database Administration;
• Excellent verbal/written communication for stakeholder engagement;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in politically sensitive environments;
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture, cloud computing, database management, and IT infrastructure;
• Experience in leading IT teams, including staff development and performance management;
• Strong project management skills (overseeing multiple projects);
• Analytical skills to resolve complex issues under election cycle pressure.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required.

Processional Certificates

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (desired).

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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