Project Officer
Published | January 31, 2025 |
Location | Paris, France |
Category | Management |
Job Type | Full Time |
Description
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) plays a crucial role in supporting democratic parliaments globally. Through various initiatives, the IPU works to strengthen parliamentary institutions, enhance their effectiveness, and promote inclusive and representative governance. This includes fostering dialogue and cooperation among parliamentarians worldwide, providing capacity-building programs, and advocating for parliamentary democracy as a cornerstone of sustainable development and peace. The IPU also conducts research and produces publications on key issues related to democratic governance, such as the functioning of parliaments, gender equality in politics, and the role of parliaments in addressing global challenges.
The consultant will contribute to a range of activities within IPU’s work on democratic parliaments, including flagship initiatives such as the Global Parliamentary Report and the Indicators for Democratic Parliaments. The work will include contributing to overall implementation of activities, organizing in-person and online events, preparing print and online content for publication, and developing partnerships with parliaments and relevant organizations.
Organizational setting and reporting relationships
The consultant will work in the Resource Centre in the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and report to the Programme manager, Parliamentary standards and knowledge.
Accountabilities
Within delegated authority, the consultant will be entrusted with the following:
Follow-up on the 2023 Indicators for Democratic Parliaments
Strengthen partnerships with organizations involved in the Indicators
Organize regular meetings of the Project team, which brings together the partner organizations for planning and implementation
Raise awareness of the Indicators among the parliamentary community
Support parliaments in carrying out assessments using the Indicators
Develop case studies, good practices and lessons learned in using the Indicators
Support preparations for the next Global Parliamentary Report
Take stock of lessons learned from the previous Global Parliamentary Reports
Develop proposals for the concept and theme of the next Global Parliamentary Report
Contribute to fund-raising initiatives for the next Report in partnership with UNDP
Design and support the process leading to the publication of the next Report..
Follow-up on the 2022 Global Parliamentary Report
Coordinate the activities of the IPU-IPEN Public engagement hub in IPU’s Centre for Innovation in Parliament
Organize online events related to public engagement
Provide general support to IPU’s work on democratic parliaments:
Monitor project expenditures and keep administrative records
Draft activity reports for donors and IPU’s governing bodies;
Support development of partnerships for the advancement of project activities;
Provide assistance to democracy-related activities at IPU Assemblies and in areas relevant to democratic parliaments.
Work will involve regular interaction with:
Parliaments, including parliamentarians, Secretaries General and parliamentary staff
Partner organizations, including ASGP, UNDP, IPEN, partners to the Indicators for Democratic Parliaments, and others
Researchers and civil society organisations
Colleagues in IPU’s Division of Programmes, including the Centre for Innovation in Parliament
Deliverables
Deliverables will be defined according to the agreed workplan, and will include:
Activities to promote awareness and use of Indicators for Democratic Parliaments are carried out, including IPU support to self-assessment processes in at least two parliaments
Planning for the next Global Parliamentary Report is completed
Webinars on public engagement in the work of parliament are organized
Requirements
Candidates for the consultancy should be able to demonstrate:
Advanced university degree in a relevant field, and at least 5 years’ professional experience at increasing levels of responsibility
Practical experience in working on strengthening democracy and democratic institutions
Good knowledge of politics and political systems. Personal commitment to the core values of parliament and democracy
Ability to conceptualise, plan and deliver projects
Ability to write clearly and persuasively
Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French is highly desirable; Working knowledge of Spanish or Arabic an asset.
Highly desirable:
Experience in working with parliaments
Experience with mainstreaming gender and human rights
Experience in monitoring and evaluation
Experience in fund-raising
Strong digital skills. Good knowledge of online communication tools
Duration
The consultancy is for up to 100 days of work over the period 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2025. Subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds, the consultancy may be extended in 2026.
Applications should be sent by e-mail with “Project Officer - Democratic parliaments” in the subject line.