Programme Officer – Constitution Building Processes – Australia

Context

A considerable number of countries in Asia and the Pacific region are presently involved in constitution-building processes at a variety of stages (pre-constitution, constitution building, or implementation of a new constitution). Examples include Afghanistan, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, the Philippines, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand. International IDEA already has a country presence in Nepal and programming for Myanmar and the Philippines.

Asia and the Pacific is a region is rich with innovative constitutional approaches, applied in contexts characterized by extraordinary diversity and complexity, that International IDEA aims to capture through research and peer exchanges and share with the global audiences. Asia and the Pacific program is also facilitating a regional network of constitutional experts and practitioners and organizes policy dialogues on constitutional options in the region. The new emerging constitutional issues relate to intergenerational challenges such as climate crisis, implications of financial debts, as well as to the indigenous people’s rights. Unconstitutional changes of power and the implications thereof pose yet another challenge in the region.

Responding to increasing challenges to democracy and a shrinking democratic space around the world, including in more established democracies, International IDEA’s Democracy Assessment team, through its Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Programme (established in 2016 as part of International IDEA’s Global Programs), seeks to contribute to the global debate on democracy and inform the development and implementation of strategies and policies that build, advance and safeguard democracy worldwide.

The flagship GSoD Report, published in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022, provides evidence, data, balanced and impartial democratic quality and trend analysis at global and regional levels, as well as thematic and country case studies geared specifically to international, regional and national policymakers and civil society organizations working on democracy and governance-related issues.

International IDEA now seeks a Programme Officer to support its Constitution Building and Democracy Assessment work in the Asia and Pacific country and regional levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Constitution Building:

• Provides expert advice and inputs to developments within the field of constitution building across the Asia and the Pacific (AP) region.
• Provides analysis on constitution building processes in order to enable International IDEA and its regional programme to facilitate the provision of support to constitutional reforms across the Asia and the Pacific region.
• Generates knowledge products (reports, briefs, comparative analysis) on relevant constitution building topics.
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of relevant professional contacts and networks of cooperation with those active in relevant fields, including practitioners, policymakers, academics and the international community.
• Supports the identification of opportunities for the initiation of new country projects, and all other activities related to resource mobilization and partnership building.
• Collaborates with the Global Programme CBP team and other CBP focal points on relevant projects.
• Manages organization of events (workshops, roundtables, conferences) and knowledge production processes as relevant.

Democracy Assessment:

• Conducts research and analysis and writes chapters, policy papers, briefs, country profiles/case studies, reports, op-eds and media articles on democratic trends and current challenges and opportunities for democracy in the Asia and the Pacific region as part of the Global State of Democracy.
• Acts as the focal point and liaison between the AP and Democracy Assessment (DA) teams for contributions to the development of the GSoD publication; updates the Covid-19 Global Monitor on Democracy and Human Rights, assists with the implementation and outreach of GSoD regional events.
• Coordinates and provides inputs for representation in outreach activities on GSoD analysis and data for internal and external audiences with aim of disseminating regional analysis, the GSoD Indices and its use within the program’s boundary partners.

General Profile

• Requires in-depth knowledge, excellent skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Will contribute significantly to assigned projects all along the project life cycle, i.e. from project design and funding to project assessment; will lead meetings and discussions, supervise publications and review input from external providers;
• Has contributed to publications on the relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
• Can work with minimal guidance and supervision;
• Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model or mentor for less experienced colleagues;
• Can be 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 diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Director Asia and the Pacific Region

Education and Experience

• A minimum of 5 (five) years of professional experience working in the field of democracy support or constitution building, particularly within the Asia and Pacific Region.
• University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or a related field. Post-graduate qualifications are considered an asset.
• Experiencing developing and implementing small to medium-scale projects.
• Experience providing technical advice to senior national stakeholders.
• Experience in conducting qualitative comparative research, data collection and analysis; Experience with quantitative research is considered an asset.
• Experience in supporting or leading communications work, including event planning and management and publicity (via mainstream and social media).
• Relevant networks with ANU, Melbourne Law School and/or the University of New South Wales are considered a strong asset.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required; Any other widely spoken language in the Asia-Pacific Region would be a strong asset.

Terms of Contract:

• International Post
• One (1) year fixed term appointment
• Remuneration – EUR 4 728 NET per month + benefits

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted no later than 23:59 (CET) on 28th February 2023.
• 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