Senior Electoral Logistics Specialist [Open internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is an independent constitutional body mandated to conduct free, fair, credible, and transparent elections in accordance with Proclamation No. 1133/2019. In June 2026, NEBE has successfully administered the 2026 General Elections under a complex operational and security environment. Following the conclusion of the electoral process, NEBE is transitioning into a critical post-election phase focused on institutional consolidation, operational review, preservation of electoral systems and expertise, implementation of lessons learned, and strengthening preparedness for future electoral events, including re-elections and subsequent national elections.

Election logistics remain a critical component of electoral administration, requiring efficient planning, procurement, warehousing, transportation, distribution, retrieval, and asset management systems. To strengthen these functions and institutionalize sustainable logistics systems, NEBE seeks to engage a Election Logistics Specialist to provide strategic and technical support in planning, coordinating, reviewing, and strengthening election logistics systems and operational preparedness.

The Strengthening Ethiopia's Elections for Democratic Sustainability (SEEDS II) implemented by UNDP has been partnering with NEBE since July 2023, superseding the previous cycle of electoral assistance to Ethiopia (SEEDS I). The overall goal of the project is to strengthen electoral systems and processes that promote inclusion, gender equality, transparency and accountability through an effective and sustainable electoral management body and strengthened electoral stakeholders.

In this context, UNDP is seeking to recruit a highly qualified professional for this important role. The Specialist will report to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and work under the Strategic Direction of the NEBE Chairperson and in close collaboration with the Senior NEBE Management.

Scope of Work and Specific Roles and Responsibilities

The objective of this assignment is to support NEBE in consolidating operational gains from the 2026 General Elections, strengthening institutional systems and logistical readiness, documenting lessons learned, and improving long-term planning, procurement, logistics, and operational frameworks for future electoral events.

Post-Election Logistical Review and Lessons Learned:

• Participate in post-election lessons learned and operational review of the 2026 General Elections;
• Document key logistical successes, bottlenecks, and risks;
• Prepare recommendations for strengthening future logistics operations;
• Support preparation of post-election lessons learned reports;
• Facilitate internal debriefing sessions across departments.

Support Remaining and Re-Elections processes under the NEBE management:

• Lead the planning and coordination of election logistics operations for remaining and re-elections;
• Develop comprehensive logistics plans and implementation schedules;
• Assess readiness gaps and logistical requirements;
• Coordinate logistics requirements across all departments and regional offices;
• Manage development and finalization of election materials for the remaining and re-elections;
• Ensure timely availability and distribution of election materials and equipment;
• Support the planning and management of procurement activities related to electoral materials and equipment, including coordination of international procurement, shipment from abroad, and ensuring timely delivery of materials to designated warehouses.

Warehouse and Asset Management:

• Review and strengthen warehouse management procedures and systems;
• Support post-election retrieval and reconciliation of election materials;
• Strengthen institutional SOPs and logistical workflows;
• Support archiving and knowledge management systems;

Transportation and Distribution Management:

• Support for the development of transportation and distribution plans for election materials and equipment;
• Identify efficiency gains and cost-saving opportunities;
• Review and improve last-mile delivery mechanisms;
• Establish contingency arrangements for emergency logistics requirements.

Capacity Building and Professionalization:

• Support institutional capacity development of NEBE operational staff;
• Participate in designing training plans and operational manuals;
• Strengthen logistical planning capacities;
• Deliver targeted operational training.

Operational Data and Planning Systems:

• Strengthen logistics information management systems;
• Improve reporting, tracking, and monitoring mechanisms;
• Develop logistics dashboards and performance monitoring tools;
• Support evidence-based planning and decision-making.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Coordinate with government institutions, suppliers, service providers, and development partners on logistics matters;
• Facilitate regular logistics coordination meetings and progress reviews;
• Support partnership development and resource mobilization.

Strategic Logistics Planning:

• Contribute to NEBE’s medium-term election logistics strategy and implementation framework;
• Support long-term logistics planning for future electoral events, including forecasting of material, warehousing, and transportation requirements;
• Support logistics contingency and scenario planning for re-elections;
• Strengthen logistics risk management frameworks to ensure the timely, secure, and efficient delivery of electoral materials and services.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The Specialist will be embedded at the NEBE. She/he will report to the CTA and work under the strategic guidance of the NEBE Chairperson. She/he will coordinate closely with NEBE Management.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

Business Management

• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner, both verbally and in writing, and to effectively engage and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including government counterparts, development partners, and service providers.
• Risk Management
  • Economy-wide analysis Institutional and Context analysis Rapid Integrated Assessment SDG Monitoring and Reporting Macroeconomic Models/ Analysis.
• Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Election Logistics and Institutional Strengthening

• Electoral Operations Management
  • Ability to provide strategic leadership in planning, coordinating, and overseeing complex election logistics operations, including procurement, warehousing, distribution, asset management, and operational readiness, ensuring timely, cost-effective, and compliant delivery of electoral materials and services.
• Institutional Capacity Development
  • Ability to strengthen institutional systems, operational processes, and organizational capacities to improve efficiency, sustainability, and long-term operational resilience of electoral institutions.
• Strategic Operational Planning
  • Ability to develop operational strategies, implementation plans, and scenario-based planning frameworks for future electoral events, including re-elections, by-elections, and national elections.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Operations, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Social Science or Related Field is required or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in project or logistics management, especially in election management, is required.

Required Skills

Proven experience in:

• Election logistics, warehouse management and transportation coordination, including aviation logistics;
• Experience managing large-scale logistics operations;
• Stakeholder coordination in complex political environments.

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

• Familiarity with the Ethiopian electoral framework and socio-political context, and prior experience working on elections in Ethiopia will be a strong asset;
• International electoral experience or experience with UNDP or a similar organization working on electoral support will be highly considered;
• Previous role in advising an electoral management body is desired.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required;
• Working knowledge of additional local languages will be an asset.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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