African
United Nations Volunteers and Electoral Violence Prevention Expert in Addis Ababa
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has announced an opportunity for a qualified professional to serve as an Electoral Violence Prevention Expert (National) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This role is part of a broader effort to strengthen democratic governance and support peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Ethiopia as the country prepares for its upcoming 7th General Elections.
With a closing date of 19 January 2026, this position is ideal for professionals with experience in elections, democratic governance, conflict prevention, and institutional capacity building. The assignment plays a crucial role in reinforcing Ethiopia’s electoral framework by developing and operating an Elections Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) System.
Details of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme
The United Nations Volunteers programme is a UN organization that contributes to peace and development worldwide through volunteerism. UNV works with governments, UN entities, and civil society organizations to support sustainable development, democratic processes, humanitarian response, and peacebuilding initiatives.
By mobilizing skilled professionals and national experts, UNV helps countries strengthen institutions, promote civic engagement, and foster inclusive governance. This opportunity in Ethiopia reflects UNV’s commitment to supporting democratic transitions and conflict prevention in complex electoral environments.
The Role of UNDP in Democratic Governance and Elections
UNDP serves as the knowledge and implementation hub for sustainable development within the United Nations Development System. As the integrator for collective action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNDP works across global, regional, and national levels to support governance, resilience, and inclusive development.
A core element of UNDP’s work is its Global Policy Network (GPN), which brings together technical expertise from country offices, regional hubs, and headquarters. Through this network, UNDP supports countries in building effective institutions, strengthening the rule of law, and promoting democratic governance.
In Ethiopia, UNDP has been a long-standing partner in electoral assistance, providing technical, operational, and institutional support to national stakeholders, particularly the National Elections Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Thus, the UNDP would like to continue with this good practice.
Ethiopia’s Electoral Context and Democratic Transition
Ethiopia has entered a new phase in its democratic journey following the re-establishment of the National Elections Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) in 2019. As an independent electoral management body, NEBE is responsible for conducting elections, organizing referendums, and regulating political parties, in accordance with Proclamation No. 1133/2011.
The successful conduct of the Sixth General Elections in 2021 marked an important milestone. However, challenges remain, especially for a relatively young institution operating in a complex political and security environment. Strengthening trust in electoral processes, preventing violence, and ensuring respect for human rights remain top priorities.
To address these challenges, sustained investment in institutional capacity, risk management, and early response mechanisms is essential—particularly as Ethiopia prepares for its next general elections. It is vital that the preparations are done correctly to prevent future chaos.
The SEEDS Programme: Strengthening Ethiopia’s Electoral Systems
The Supporting Elections for Ethiopia’s Democracy Strengthening (SEEDS-1) project, implemented between 2019 and 2022, laid a strong foundation for electoral reform and democratic participation. Building on these achievements, UNDP launched SEEDS 2, a successor project designed to provide continuous support throughout the entire electoral cycle.
SEEDS 2 focuses on:
- Enhancing NEBE’s institutional capacity
- Supporting sustainable human resources development
- Improving electoral operations and transparency
- Promoting inclusive and credible elections
- Strengthening mechanisms to prevent and respond to electoral violence
A key component of SEEDS 2 is the establishment of an Elections Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) System, which the Electoral Violence Prevention Expert will help develop and operationalize. The right expertise is necessary in maintaining peace in the country and across the region.
What Is the Elections Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) System?
The EWER system is a proactive mechanism designed to:
- Monitor electoral operations nationwide
- Identify early signs of electoral violence or disruptions
- Facilitate timely coordination among stakeholders
- Enable rapid and effective response to emerging risks
Developed in collaboration with the EC-UNDP Joint Task Force on Electoral Assistance (JTF), the system aims to strengthen NEBE’s ability to manage electoral risks before they escalate into violence. The EWER system also supports contingency planning for non-security risks, such as public health emergencies, natural disasters, or logistical challenges that could affect election operations.
Position Overview: Electoral Violence Prevention Expert (National)
The Electoral Violence Prevention Expert will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, closely coordinating with UNDP advisory teams, NEBE officials, and national stakeholders. This role is highly strategic and operational, combining policy support, risk analysis, coordination, and technical oversight of the EWER system.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
The United Nations Volunteers Programme will facilitate the finding of the right electoral violence prevention expert. The selected expert will be expected to carry out a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:
1. Technical Support and System Development
- Support Joint Task Force missions during assessments of the environment for EWER implementation
- Assist NEBE in developing and refining policies and procedures related to electoral violence prevention
- Contribute to the design and operationalization of the EWER system at national and regional levels
2. Risk Analysis and Operational Planning
- Analyze potential risks of electoral violence across the electoral cycle
- Integrate risk mitigation strategies into NEBE’s operational and contingency planning
- Address cross-cutting risks, including health, environmental, and logistical challenges
3. Coordination and Information Management
- Support the convening and functioning of decentralized EWER teams
- Ensure regular information-sharing among national and regional stakeholders
- Maintain effective coordination between NEBE, UNDP, and partner institutions
4. Management of EWER Operations
- Manage national EWER meetings, communications, and surge funding mechanisms
- Track and follow up on agreed actions arising from EWER discussions
- Ensure timely documentation and reporting of incidents, risks, and responses
5. IT Platform Support
- Collaborate with IT technicians to set up, adapt, or update the EWER digital platform
- Monitor the platform’s functionality and liaise with developers to resolve technical issues
- Ensure accurate logging of incidents, meetings, and response measures
6. Reporting and Knowledge Management
- Provide regular updates, analytical reports, and ad-hoc documentation as required
- Support NEBE in identifying lessons learned and best practices
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of electoral violence prevention strategies
Expected Impact of the Role
The United Nations Volunteers programme is tasked with finding a candidate with the right skills. The successful performance of this role is critical to the overall effectiveness of the SEEDS 2 project. The Electoral Violence Prevention Expert will directly contribute to:
- Strengthened electoral risk management capacity within NEBE
- Improved coordination among electoral stakeholders
- Reduced the likelihood and impact of electoral violence
- Increased public trust in Ethiopia’s electoral processes
- Compliance with UNDP standards, rules, and project objectives
The Recruitment process through the UNV programme ensures that Ethiopia will definitely get the right targeted individual with the needed skills. Without these contributions, the project would face significant challenges in meeting its goals and delivering sustainable results.
Application Process and Important Notes
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to:
- Carefully review the eligibility and qualification requirements
- Ensure they meet all criteria before applying
- Submit applications well ahead of the deadline
While every effort is made to provide accurate information, applicants should always verify details directly on the official UNV recruitment platform. Applications from non-qualifying candidates are likely to be screened out during the selection process.
Apply here
Conclusion
This opportunity represents a meaningful chance to contribute to peaceful democratic processes in Ethiopia at a critical time. For professionals passionate about elections, conflict prevention, and democratic governance, the role of Electoral Violence Prevention Expert offers both impact and professional growth within the United Nations system.
By supporting the establishment of a robust Early Warning and Early Response mechanism, the selected expert will play a vital role in safeguarding electoral integrity and strengthening democratic sustainability in Ethiopia. The expertise will significantly contribute to maintaining peace in the country.
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