Consultant: Montana Nonpartisan Observation Coordinator and Election Administration Advisor

The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to promoting human rights, alleviating human suffering, enhancing freedom and democracy, and improving health conditions. The Center seeks a highly qualified, motivated, and energetic consultant for the Center’s US Elections Project.

This position requires up to 24 days of work per month.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Location: Montana highly preferred, with some travel to Atlanta, Georgia – will consider remote with extended travel to Montana under limited circumstances

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Length of Assignment: Through August 31, 2024, with a high likelihood of extension or contract renewal depending on performance

The Democracy Program at The Carter Center works globally to support and strengthen participatory democracy, consistent with human rights. Beginning in 2020, The Carter Center began efforts to support elections in the United States. There are multiple key aspects to this project: establishing nonpartisan observation efforts, bolstering the electoral dispute resolution process, tracking disinformation and dangerous speech, contributing to electoral reform, and promoting a set of candidate principles for trusted elections.

The Carter Center plans to advance nonpartisan observation efforts in Montana. Nonpartisan observation efforts implemented and/or supported by The Carter Center will differ from existing partisan poll watchers and election protection groups. The goal of this observation is to provide credible and transparent information on the conduct of elections in each state through public reports. To support this work, The Carter Center also provides analysis and resources on various aspects of the electoral process and election administration such as, poll worker recruitment & training and tabulation & audit procedures. The Carter Center is looking for an experienced professional with knowledge of the U.S. electoral system that can support our targeted efforts in Montana as we work to increase transparency in the electoral process and support election officials.

Nonpartisan Observation:

• Design an observation methodology that is appropriate for the legal and electoral context. Identify appropriate financial, staffing, logistical, etc. supports to ensure its successful implementation.

• Design observer training plan and materials; advise and direct execution of plan by training staff and volunteers.

• Ensure quality of reported observer data, including through establishment of a team able to provide data cleaning, logical checks and external validation of findings as needed.

• Liaise closely with and make recommendations to coalition partners on the development of internal policies, procedures, scopes of work, etc. as needed to facilitate execution of election observation related tasks.

• Assist coalition partners to develop communications scenarios and protocols for reporting on and after election day; oversee drafting of any official statements, reports, or external communications products.

• Remain abreast of major political developments in the state and make recommendations for adjusting programming as needed

• Manage the work of consultants exclusively supporting the Montana nonpartisan election observation project, providing assignments, guidance, coaching, and support as necessary and appropriate to ensure the success of the observation program and the success of supporting consultants.

Election Administration Expertise and Support– Research and Analysis:

• Contribute to research and drafting of documents for public and private use on key issues related to election administration of the 2023 and 2024 elections, including post-election audits.

• Contribute to project related outputs including curricula for observer training programs, voter education materials on key aspects of the electoral process; toolkits and written products of electoral stakeholders; policies and procedures to identify examples of good practice as well as areas where additional steps could be taken to promote transparency in the electoral process or the overall improvement of election integrity;

• Contribute to a range of written outputs by the Carter Center study team to include public reports, public statements, voter education materials and scripts, curricula for training programs, op-eds and articles, talking points and other internal briefing documents

Outreach and Representation:

• As requested by Carter Center staff, represent The Carter Center at public events, webinars and other fora and in public speaking engagements; Liaise with state election officials and others on key issues to support project goals;

• Assist Carter Center staff and consultants on building and maintaining relationships with election officials around the country; • Identify key events for TCC to engage with election officials around the country

Advice and Guidance:

• Provide advice and guidance to Carter Center staff on election administration processes and procedures in the United States;

Coordination:

• Participate in regular coordination meetings with other consultants, other Carter Center programs, Carter Center staff, and project partners on key aspects to ensure successful implementation of the project.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years proven experience with election administration practices; knowledge of election observation practices is a plus;

• Proven project management experience;

• Proven management skills;

• Excellent understanding of the election and voting process in the U.S.

• Excellent understanding of key political dynamics around elections in the U.S.;

• Experience implementing data collection methodologies;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

• Knowledge and experience with the Microsoft suite of tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, as part of a diverse and inter-disciplinary team.

• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing project demands.

• Experience with data analysis and data visualization software.