The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Main functions of the post:

To manage the Strategic Planning process and the Institutional Planning and Budgeting process on behalf of the Secretary-General;

To manage the Results-Based Management system administration process on behalf of the Secretary-General;

To manage the preparations and follow-up of the Management Committee and the Executive Group on behalf of the Secretary-General;

To manage the day-to-day functions of the Secretary-General’s office.

1. Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Secretary General the incumbent performs the following duties:

Leads the process of strategy development in accordance with established procedures, by making sure that the various steps and procedures are adhered to and by securing the participation of key staff in the process;

Leads the process of preparing the institutional planning and budgeting in accordance with established procedures, by making sure that the various steps and procedures are adhered to and by securing the participation of key staff in the process;

Manages the system administration process and on behalf of the Secretary-General, monitors organization-wide compliance with the RBM system by:

          a) Ensuring implementation of the RBM management system;

          b) Approving the RBM audits annual plan, ensuring the actual auditing of the RBM system and actions for improvement;

          c) Strategically promoting and developing IDEA´s RBM system throughout the organization. This includes the implementation of strengthening strategies for staff’s awareness in regards to the system; 

          d) Strengthening IDEA´s RBM system visibility and impact;

          e) Supervising and coordinating the work of the System Administrator;

          f) Representing the Secretary General in internal activities associated to the RBM system.

Manages the preparations and follows-up on the Management Committee and the Executive Group on behalf of the Secretary-General and according to the documented procedure;

Manages the preparations, recording, communication and tracking of decisions by the management committee and the executive group; and as such the incumbent takes part in all management committee meetings;

Manages the Secretary-General’s office and its communication with other Secretariat departments and units. The incumbent is expected to budget and control expenditure for all costs and income related to the work of the SG Office and to coordinate the work of the different personnel under this office;

Manages the day-to-day functions of the Secretary-General’s office;

Performs activities in accordance with management system procedures;

Actively integrates the inclusion of a gender and diversity perspective in all programming activities;

Performs any other tasks that might be assigned to him or her by the Secretary-General.

2. Qualifications and skills: 

Basic qualification requirements:   

2.1    Level and type of formal education: 

University degree in Social and/or Political Science or related subject, supplemented by qualifications in administration, strategy and/or planning.

2.2   Professional experience: 

A minimum 10 years of varied professional experience related to strategy, management or planning in governmental, non governmental or inter-governmental organizations.  

A minimum 5 years experience in Strategy, Planning, Organizational Management.

A minimum 3 years experience leading Strategy, Planning and Organizational Management;

Working experience in organizations structured around a management system based on an international standard such as ISO 9001 or based on the RBM methodology.

2.3    Functional competencies:

Creativity and capacity to develop innovative analytical perspectives and approaches;

Ability to build and motivate partnerships and networks towards the effective agreement and achievement of objectives.

Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, diplomacy and leadership skills;

Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to present complex managerial issues to non-expert audiences;

Excellent analytical, drafting, editing and problem solving skills;

Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills;

Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams;

Ability to work with tight deadlines and, occasionally, under stressing conditions;

Familiarity with general theories and practice of management systems based on international standards;

Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

2.4    Difficulty of work: 

Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills.

Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication;

The additional challenge is the leadership of high profile teams.

2.5   Supervisory responsibilities: 

The incumbent will supervise, direct and guide the System Administrator, but also coordinates under the mandate of the SG the working groups associated to Strategy Development and Planning and Budgeting in order to satisfy the written procedures.                                                    

2.6  Impact of work: 

In charge for major initiatives at International IDEA RBM system. The success of these initiatives will have a direct impact on the fulfillment of International IDEA’s strategic goals due to the RBM system is the common basis to align and monitor the different outputs and outcomes of the organization under an structured manner;

The incumbent is expected to act with considerable autonomy, based on his/her significant experience in a variety of aspects of the field of expertise.  Personal and institutional experience, maturity, sensitivity, flexibility, and demonstrated ability to plan, to deliver results and to manage change are important requirements.

2.7  Language skills:

Fluency in oral and written English. 

Knowledge of other widely spoken languages (in particular Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, African languages or French) would be an asset.

2.8 Computer skills:  

Good computer skills and knowledge of relevant computer software packages including internet use.

3. Criteria for Professional Performance 

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities both at Headquarters and in the field and, as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

 Be a Facilitator of Change

Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

Lead By Example

Be a Decision Maker

Be a Model of Integrity

Celebrate Diversity

Be a Team Worker/Builder

Strive for Success and Excellence

Plan and Organize

Terms of contract: 3 year fixed term appointment.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Should internet not be an option, applications can be submitted to International IDEA by fax: +46-20 24 22 or by post: International IDEA, SE-103 34, Stockholm, Sweden

To read the original job advertisement please visit IDEA

iKNOW Politics: Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself? Nyamko Sabuni: My name is Nyamko Sabuni and I’m 38 years old. I was born in exile in Burundi. I am originally Congolese, my parents are from Congo. I came to Sweden in 1981 when I was 12 years old. I have been lucky enough to grow up surrounded by Swedish children and have learnt to speak fluent Swedish, something that has made it easier for me to integrate and maybe also for me to be successful in this country. Today, I am married and have two children, six-year-old twin boys. iKP: Have you faced any obstacles in your political career as a woman? If yes, which ones? NS: No obvious obstacles, but of course it’s not easy for women to have a career when they’re expected to take care of the home and the children and to be competent and maybe even better than men to receive any attention. So that kind of obstacle is there for many of us, if not for all of us. Otherwise I think that the competition is tough. But everyone has to deal with that as best they can. iKP: Are there specific obstacles that, in your opinion, prevent women from becoming political leaders? NS: No, not necessarily from becoming a leader. But one obstacle that does exist is that women can’t manage to combine family life with a career, and that is where politics can make a difference. The easier we can make it for women and men to combine a career with family life, the easier it will be to get women to accept leadership, or also to be asked to take on leadership. iKP: Sweden is one of the most equal countries in the world. What do you see as your priority issue when it comes to working for equality in Sweden? NS: We may be the world leader in gender equality, but there are many things that we have to do on the labour market, in family policy and business policy. But for me, the most acute gender equality issue does still remain that of men’s violence against women. It is a fundamental right in society to be able to keep one’s integrity intact, to have one’s body protected from violence. And this is primarily about human rights. So the battle against men’s violence towards women is a priority issue. iKP: What advice can you give the women leaders and candidates trying to succeed in their political careers? NS: Choose the right partner, a partner who can support you in your development and who is prepared to take on an equal share of the responsibility for children and the home. Don’t be afraid, believe in yourself. And not least: have a mixed group of friends. What I mean is, have male friends too. Today, there are male networks of different kinds that women are not a part of. So try to become friends with men and get into these networks. I think that men are just as willing to choose a woman as they are a man.

iKNOW Politics: Ms Hjelm-Wallén, can you tell us a little bit about your background? HW: I grew up in a small town in Sweden and I was the first in my family to become a high school graduate. After studies at Uppsala University I worked as a teacher for three years. I was engaged in the local branch of the Social Democratic party and in the youth branch, but I was not very active yet. In 1968, at the age of 25, I was asked by the party in my county to run for parliament and I was very surprised that they asked me. The Party nominated me as number three on the candidate list and as the party received six mandates in the county I got elected to parliament. iKNOW Politics: Do you think that you would have run for parliament if you would not have been asked? HW: No, I don’t think so, not at that time. Perhaps if I would have continued in local politics I would have been inclined to chase after something more. After five years in parliament I was then asked by the late Prime Minister Olof Palme to take a seat in the cabinet as Minister of Education. The first time he asked me I said no. At that time I still felt that I was too young and I had a little daughter of five years. Palme kept on asking me the same question over and over again for three months and then finally I accepted. Before I accepted the post I had lengthy discussions with my family. It is important to understand that it is an extremely though job so the support from the family is crucial in order to make it. iKNOW Politics: In Sweden today, we have 47 % women in parliament but this was not the case in 1969 when you entered parliament. Then there were only 16 %. Was the fact that you were a woman influential on how you acted? HW: Yes, certainly the composition of parliament today did not at all look like it did when I started, but it was more the fact that I was young that was more outstanding. The party needed experience and renewal at that time. It was only an extra plus being a woman. It was an understanding within the party that of these six seats we got in my county at least one must be a woman. This kind of thinking came to a large extent from the top leadership within the party. The Prime Minister Olof Palme and his successor Ingvar Carlsson were very focused on the fact that they must see to have a more equal composition within the party. I know that Palme’s wife Lisbeth Palme especially pushed for equality and the number of women in the cabinet grew in 1974, we were then 5 women out of 20 cabinet members. In the late 1970’s it was said within the party leadership that gender equality should be a norm and there was a recommendation to the party districts to nominate women and to achieve a gender parity of 40 - 60%. But it was never a law. iKNOW Politics: What concrete change did you make during your term of office to benefit women and what do you see as your biggest achievement while in government? HW: During my period in parliament the most important issue was the reform process in the taxation and social security system. We made it a reality that husband and wife was looked upon as individuals with the same rights and responsibilities economically within the family. This has been a basis for equality. As a minister of education, the most practical reform for women was the reform on the internal work in school. Before the reform children often had a free period in the middle of the day and how would you then take care of small children? You would have to stay at home to see to them during their school free time. Seeing the school day as a normal working day facilitated for both parents to work full time. Also serving lunch in school has been a very important decision in this aspect but this was made before my time in office. As minister of education I also influenced the school curriculum to include gender issues. I didn’t need to do a pioneer job but I made sure that what was said in the school curriculum was also getting better implemented. During my period as minister for international development cooperation in the 1980’s I took advantage of the experience that supporting women is to invest in the future, because it often means that the whole family benefits. A good example of this is the micro-loans of the Grameen bank. These examples of political reforms would of course have been possible for a man to do too but I think that it was more natural for me being a woman. And what’s even more important to be a minister is to be an example or role model to others. I think that it was very helpful that people could see that a rather ordinary woman could be a minister and also have a family. iKNOW Politics: How do you work today and what do you do to influence the society and to continue to benefit women beyond your former state official term? HW: After my political, or rather ministerial work, I entered the world of NGO’s. Working as a chairperson in the Swedish Afghanistan Committee and the Olof Palme International Center I am working for women’s human rights through a lot of small projects. The Afghanistan Committee has always worked with health issues and education especially for women. In Sweden today it is not that needed to prove that women are equal to men but it is still the case in many other countries around the world. It is something that all women must go through. Gender equality cannot be done directly it must be done step by step. My experience is that it is not unsurmountable to influence the top political party leadership, but to get a more normal gender equality among the political elite is not enough., you must also make sure that these changes occur on the local level where the understanding of political correctness is less spread. Compared with my country where the gender gap was not that big, it will take longer time in developing countries because poverty in itself creates inequality. iKNOW Politics: Do you perceive yourself as somebody consciously lobbying for women’s rights, or has it been integrated into your work? HW: Over the years it has been integrated. I have ,however, more and more realized the importance of working with direct actions to promote gender equality. When I started I tried to integrate equality in the sense of equality for all in a natural way. But women must be directly approached to be able to achieve gender equality. iKNOW Politics: Now to a rather current event. You were heading the election commission responsible for electing the new leader for the biggest party in Sweden the Social Democrats, and the person that got elected is Mona Sahlin, the first woman to hold this post. Was it a conscious choice to pick a woman? HW: The process of selecting candidates for the election of the party leader is something I am very proud of. When starting the election procedure we decided that for the first time we would consult the party members directly of what kind of characteristics they wanted for the new party leader to have. Members sat down within their branches and discussed reflecting a very interesting discussion saying that they wanted someone that could listen to and communicate with the members. What was also clear was that they wanted a change after 117 years of only having men in that leadership position - they wanted a woman. The Swedish party system has matured during the years and we can today see a lot of women in top positions within the party. We had five very qualified women that all could be good candidates so it would have been a shame if there was not a woman to be elected. But of course we could not exclude men from the short list. In the end it was the party that elected a woman. iKNOW Politics: What advice can you give other women leaders and candidates trying to succeed in their political career? And as you said previously today there are more women also competing amongst themselves. How do you see that? HW: Women must not be afraid of competing, not amongst themselves, and especially not with men. In the beginning of my career there was very little of networking between women. We were five women in the cabinet but we never came together without the men. Today this is much different and it is very normal that women come together, even over the party lines. When I was minister of foreign affairs I very much appreciated the invitation by Madeleine Albright to create a group of women foreign ministers. I believe that it is important to strengthen yourself together with others! Being a politician it is extremely important to have a group around you that you trust and that can help you to focus on what’s important when the media starts to attack your personality or your personal affairs. I think that it could even be more difficult for women than for men in this aspect. My advices to other women leaders and candidate would then be: 1) Networking with other women is very important. 2) Surround yourselves with good and qualified persons that support you and help you stay focused. 3) Realize the importance of knowledge. Vision and ambition are not enough. It will be expected of you to know the answers even when it comes down to the nitty-gritty details. It is like it is in school; you have to do your home work! You must both have a vision and the knowledge. This interview was conducted by Camilla Hansson, Research Assistant, International IDEA, and Rita Taphorn, Program Officer, International IDEA.