Planning Expert

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), re-established by proclamation No. 1133/2011, is the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections, organize referendum and regulate political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE is working to boost its institutional strength with a special focus on enhancement of human resource capacity. Accordingly, NEBE would like to invite applicants for Planning Expert position who meet the following requirements.

Job Summary

The Planning Expert will report directly to the Head of PMEL and will be responsible for overseeing planning and reporting activities within NEBE. This role aims to standardize planning and reporting processes and techniques, improve capacity, and ensure compliance with policies and procedures. The Planning Expert will work closely with PMEL staff and NEBE officials to enhance planning and reporting management practices and tools.

Duties and responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities of the Planning Expert:

• Planning and Reporting Accountability: The Planning Expert is responsible for planning and reporting-related activities at NEBE.
• Capacity Enhancement: Develop an approach to enhance the capacity of NEBE teams and regional government partners in planning and reporting management practices and techniques.
• Systems and Tools: Design and implement planning and reporting systems, processes, and tools.
• Reporting and Presentations: Prepare reports, presentations, summary dashboards, and present results to relevant stakeholders.
• Templates: Design planning and reporting templates and ensure their effective utilization.
• Compliance Monitoring: Monitor planning and reporting compliance with policies, procedures, and templates that align with the electoral cycles.
• Progress Reports: Prepare and submit periodic progress reports, including monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, and others.
• Support Strategic Planning: Support the strategic plan, program/project, annual, bi-annual planning, and programming process for NEBE.
• Capacity Assessment: Undertake regular capacity assessments of staff regarding planning and reporting management skills and implement capacity enhancement interventions.
• Regional Capacity Building: Facilitate the development of planning and reporting skills within regional branch offices.
• Coordination: Collaborate with the Head of PMEL in preparing plans and coordinating planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities at NEBE.
• Standard Operating Procedures: Actively participate in the development, adoption, and contextualization of Standard Operating Procedures and operational guidelines related to planning, ensuring their implementation.
• Project Planning: Play a key role in the project planning process, working with Program/Project Coordinators in preparing Program/Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plans.
• Reporting Timetable: Prepare a reporting timetable and monitor the timely preparation and submission of reports to internal and external stakeholders. Provide technical support to HQ work units and branches on periodic report preparation.
• Management Action Plans: Assist in the preparation of Management Action Plans as a result of evaluation reports and follow up on their implementation.
• Technology Integration: Work to support planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities using up-to-date technologies.
• Training Delivery: Deliver training to staff, management, and volunteers in collaboration with the Capacity Building Work Unit.

Required number: One

Reports to: Head, PMEL Department

Duty station: NEBE Head Quarter, Addis Ababa

Duration: Permanent

Salary: As per the organization salary scale (Competitive)

Education and Work Experience:

• BA/BSC/MA/M.Sc. in Project Planning and Management, Economics, Statistics, and Related Fields.
• 7 years and Bachelor | 5 years and Masters

Skill Requirements:

• Good understanding of program-based budgeting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong personal values, including integrity and a desire to be of service.
• Facilitative and collaborative working style.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, accountability, and results.
• Hands-on experience with data management and analytical software (e.g., SPSS/Stata).
• Deep understanding of evaluation theory and application.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Proven analytical skills for data collection, synthesis, and analysis.
• Experience in planning, budgeting, and costing capacity building and advisory.
• Excellent knowledge of monitoring and methodology application.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in program evaluation and budgeting software (e.g., STATA, IFMIS).
• Commitment to principles of confidentiality and impartiality.
• Collaboration and cooperative mindset.
• Initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
• Knowledge of electoral processes is an asset.
• Fluency in English and Amharic (written and spoken).
• Not a member of a political party.