The Carter Center, Democracy Program
Consultant – Deputy Observation Coordinator
U.S. Elections – Fulton County
Atlanta, Georgia
The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to promote human rights, alleviate human suffering, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health conditions. The Carter Center’s Democracy Program works globally to support and strengthen participatory democracy. The Center seeks a highly qualified consultant for the Center’s U.S. election project.
Beginning in 2020, The Carter Center began efforts to support the conduct of elections in the United States consistent with international standards and commitments. As part of these efforts, The Carter Center is conducting nonpartisan observation efforts in Georgia. The observation efforts implemented and/or supported by The Carter Center differ from partisan poll watchers and election protection groups. The goal of the Center’s observation work is to provide impartial, credible, and transparent information on the conduct of elections through public reports. The consultant is anticipated to be contracted from October 2024 through December 2024.
To support this work, the Center is working in partnership with another organization to observe election processes in Fulton County, including advance voting, election day, and tabulation of results. Reporting will also include analysis of other aspects of the electoral process, including election administration procedures, testing of voting devices and other technology, voter registration, poll worker training, and other procedures. The Center also plans to observe the post-election Risk-Limiting Audit (RLA) throughout Georgia.
The Deputy Observation Coordinator will support the development and execution of the observation plan and will support analysis of observer findings and the drafting of public reports. The position will report to the US Elections Coordinator in Georgia and to the US Elections team in Atlanta.
At the direction of the Coordinator and Carter Center staff, the Deputy Observation Coordinator will:
- Assist and support the Coordinator in the execution of duties and fulfill the responsibilities of the Coordinator as needed;
- Mobilize observers and provide necessary support for The Carter Center to observe key electoral processes;
- Meet with stakeholders, potentially including elections officials, community organizations, media, and government representatives;
- Assist in the design and implementation of the Center’s planned observation activities;
- Assist observers in maintaining efficiency, work quality, and adequate communication with The Carter Center. Provide support as needed, including around development of scopes of work, policies and procedures, internal reporting strategies, and codes of conduct to ensure the Center’s ability to carry out observation tasks in a timely manner while adhering to Carter Center policies;
- Work closely with the Coordinator and Carter Center staff to design and implement the logistics necessary to deploy observers in Fulton County and, for the RLA, across the state, including support to observer contact management, training, accreditation, travel, collection of appropriate backup documentation to support program expenditures, and other needs;
- Liaise with other Carter Center teams that are actively implementing programs in Georgia; support information-sharing and coordination across program areas;
- Provide electoral analysis on programmatic, operational, and substantive issues;
- Support the analysis of observer findings and participate in the drafting of public reports;
- Monitor state and national media sources for relevant developments in Georgia and prepare summaries of major findings;
- Participate in the training of observers, including preparation and presentation of materials;
- Assist in drafting and editing observer checklists, training materials, press releases, public statements, and other items;
- Support regular programmatic reporting to Carter Center leadership on program achievements and developments;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least five years of experience in elections;
- Strong operational and logistical experience;
- Significant experience in the recruitment, training, and mobilization of election observers or similar volunteers;
- Knowledge of Georgia election procedures;
- Sound judgment and ability to maintain a reputation for strict nonpartisanship;
- Proficiency in oral and written reporting;
- Flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing political context;
- Basic proficiency in data analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel, R, Stata, SPSS, or another platform is a plus.
To be considered for this position, please upload a CV/resume, cover letter, and three references in support of your application in the following website: https://thecartercenter.formstack.com/forms/georgia_deputy_coordinator_us_elections
If you have questions, please email: georgia@cartercenter.org.
Note: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.
Deadline for submissions:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.
Only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center. No separate emails, phone calls, or in-person contacts, please.