The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday began advertising to fill several critical positions, including that of the Chief Election Officer (CEO).
Apart from CEO, the commission is currently seeking to fill the positions of Deputy Chief Election Officer, Assistant Chief Election Officer, Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, Logistics Manager, and Civic and Voter Education Manager.
The commission in a press release on September 30 informed that advertising of the positions will be for a two-week duration using a combination of media including, but not limited to newspapers, radio, television, GECOM’s website and GECOM’s Facebook page.
The deadline for the submission of an application for any of the posts is October 14.
GECOM in the statement said it is “adamant that the hiring process would be transparent and the process could be completed effectively within the shortest time possible so that the work programme of the agency could proceed.”
According to the ad, the position of CEO requires playing the key leadership role in the Secretariat of GECOM, with responsibility for implementing all aspects of its operations, and ensuring that results achieved are consistent with the laws of Guyana and the policies determined by the Commission.
It says the incumbent must be able to advise the Commission on policy matters and their implementation; the interpretation of relevant legislation, and report on their application.
In addition, the CEO is also responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive Voters Education Program-me is conducted towards facilitating all eligible and registered persons exercising their vote. He or she must periodically determine the “Major Job Ob-jectives” for each Depart-ment Head and identify and discuss with staff the “Key Results Areas” to be used as determinants of performance results.
The Commission states that an individual with a Post Graduate Degree in Public Administration, Law, Management, or relevant discipline from a reputable and recognised institution would be best suited for the job. It is also necessary that the person have specific training and verifiable experience in managing election systems along with at least ten (10) years’ experience in a senior management position overseeing and directing diverse operations aimed at achieving targets within specific deadlines. It was stated that at least ten years’ experience in Management of National Elections and Election Systems is a prerequisite requirement.
With regard to the position of Deputy Chief Elec-tions Officer (DCEO), the individual will be responsible for ensuring that GECOM fulfills its mission of conducting all elections to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
The Deputy Chief Elec-tion Officer is also responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive Voters Education Programme is conducted towards facilitating all eligible and registered persons exercising their vote.
The position is seeking an individual with a Post Graduate Degree in Public Administration, Law, Management or relevant discipline and who possesses six years of experience in a senior management position overseeing and directing diverse operations aimed at achieving targets within specific deadlines.
The previous CEO, Keith Lowenfield, along with the DCEO Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo all had their contracts terminated after the government-nominated commissioners moved motions accusing them of contributing to a loss of public trust in the institution.
The initial motions laid on June 1 calling for the officers to be dismissed were amended to allow for contract termination after the CEO challenged the action in court. After a two-month delay the motions were debated and passed with the support of GECOM Chair Ret’d Justice Claudette Singh.
The position of Assis-tant Chief Election Officer/ Assistant Commissioner of Registration, will be res-ponsible for the smooth functioning of all Divi-sions/Sections/Units/ Officers within the ambit of the Operations Depart-ment.
The qualifications for the post are a first degree in Social Sciences, Humani-ties or related discipline from a reputable and recognised institution, with training and experience in electoral management practices and at least five (5) years’ experience in the management of national elections. Also acceptable is a diploma in Social Sciences, Humanities or related discipline from a reputable and recognised institution with training and experience in electoral management practices and at least ten (10) years’ experience in the management of national elections.
The ad also states that qualifications in Elections Management and/or comprehensive knowledge of GECOM’s procedures and processes along with excellent oral and written communication skills and computer literacy would be considered an advantage.
For the Legal Advisor position, the individual must possess a Bachelor of Laws degree from a reputable and recognised institution, and be admitted and have practiced law in Guyana for at least three years. Experience in Corporate Services and Legal/Legislative Drafting, and working knowledge of the Laws governing elections would be considered an advantage.
The Legal Advisor is to work under the direction of the Commission through the Office of the Chairman, and will have to ensure that all legal and statutory requirements are met by the Guyana Elections Commission, with particular reference to all Regis-tration and Elections, and perform the task of the Secretary of the Commis-sion.
The commission is also seeking to employ a Chief Accountant, who will work under the directorship of the CEO.
The prospective candidate will be responsible for providing technical and managerial leadership in planning, implementing and evaluating the financial resource systems for GECOM. These systems include Financial/Cash Accounting and Manage-ment; Budgeting; Fixed Assets Management and the management of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).
The candidate must have a first degree in Accounting from a reputable and recognised institution, along with six (6) years’ experience as a senior manager with a sound knowledge of public financial management, financial analysis and financial accounting; com-puter literacy would be advantageous. The individual can also possess a Professional Accounting qualification such as, ACCA or ICMA; with six (6) years’ experience as a senior manager with a sound knowledge of public financial management, financial analysis and financial accounting.
The Civic and Voter Education Manager, who will be working under the direction of the Commis-sion through the Office of the Assistant Chief Elec-tion Officer, will be requir-ed to develop and produce materials; disseminate information and monitor the conduct of formal and informal voter education programmes that will provide registration and election-specific information and motivational messages to the citizenry.
He or she will also be required to develop a comprehensive civic/voter education strategy, and related programmes aimed at identified target groups in various parts of the country, and must collaborate with relevant colleagues in the dissemination of information in order to avoid the transmission of conflicting messages, and equally important, the duplication of effort.
The prospective applicant should hold a degree in Communication Studies or related discipline from a reputable and recognised institution along with three (3) years relevant experience or a degree in Education from a reputable and recognised institution, along with experience in Mass Media Training. Post-graduate qualifications and teaching experience would be considered an advantage
For the post of the Logistics Officer, the commission is seeking an individual with first degree in Social Sciences from a reputable and recognised institution, along with a sound working knowledge of the physical geography of Guyana and at least five years relevant experience. Specific training in Logis-tics and/or Operations would be an advantage, the advertisement stated.
The individual will be responsible for the development and implementation of an effective system of monitoring the quantities of supplies, including sensitive election materials. They will also be required to arrange for the provision of security of polling stations throughout all the electoral Regions; and must establish a comprehensive communication system that will facilitate the transmission of election results by GECOM.
He or she must also be able to contribute to the identification and demarcation of boundaries for the administration of electoral units, based on analysis of the demographics relating to all People’s Cooperative Units (PCUs) and participate in the overall planning for the registration of voters, the election process, and the distribution of national identification cards.
Interested applicants are advised to fully utilise GECOM’s website at gecom.org.aw/home/vacancies for details pertaining to the respective positions along with the full job descriptions.
