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Deputy Chief Observer (DCO) training –19-23 March 2012 – Brussels

Notification:

NEEDS will carry out a DCO training event from Monday 19 to Friday 23 March 2012. The training is for 14 candidates and will take place at the NEEDS office, 15-17 Rue Belliard, Brussels 1040. The duration is five full days and the language of the training is English.

Performance at the DCO Training will be continuously evaluated and candidates will be graded at the end, according to their level of readiness to participate in an EU EOM. NEEDS evaluates according to criteria which include: ability to work in a team, communication and reporting skills, cross –cultural sensitivity, ability to follow instructions and understanding of course content. Evaluations will be posted on the candidate’s Roster CV after the training, to assist the Focal Points and the European Commission in the selection process for EU Election Observation Missions.

  • The NEEDS Project will cover the travel and living expenses attached to participation in the training.
  • Applications can be made either via the Focal Point or directly to NEEDS by sending an email to gillian@needsproject.eu.
  • The deadline for applications is 27 February 2012.

Selection criteria for DCO candidates:

  • Advanced University degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations or any other discipline relevant to the assignment;
  • A minimum of 10 years’ work experience in the field of electoral assistance and electoral observation, as part of an EU Election Observation Mission or an EU Election Technical Assistance project, or with other international bodies;
  • Experience working on international democracy assistance projects would be an advantage;
  • Experience working on an election observation mission as a Core Team Member (for EU EOM, OSCE/ODIHR or other international election observation missions) is highly desirable;
  • Excellent understanding of the functioning of electoral management bodies;
  • Personnel management experience is a requirement, as is the ability to delegate tasks appropriately and to clarify roles, responsibilities and reporting needs for each staff member;
  • Strong diplomatic skills, political sensitivity, excellent presentation and communication skills are all required and experience working in the public eye and under media scrutiny is an asset;
  • Excellent reporting and analytical skills;
  • Although the training will be carried out in English; preference will be given to candidates with sufficiently proficient French and/or Spanish to participate in an EU EOM in either of those languages;
  • Candidates should indicate that they are able and willing to apply for DCO positions in 2012/2013

General requirements for candidates

  • Interpersonal skills (e.g. capacity of balanced judgement, ability to work in teams, ability to cope with difficult situations, respect for local attitudes, good communication skills, readiness to work in a multicultural environment, leadership capacity);
  • Ability to maintain professional independence and strict impartiality in the conduct of duties in the host country;
  • Demonstrated commitment to democracy and human rights;
  • EU Member State citizenship;
  • Familiarity and experience with electoral laws and procedures, electoral administration practices and operations (including inter alia electoral rolls, national electoral committees), not limited to a single electoral tradition;
  • Special knowledge of human rights and democratisation issues;
  • Good knowledge of institutional aspects of the EU.