Consultant: Georgia Nonpartisan Election Observation – Observer Coordinator
About The Carter Center
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 Carter Center works globally to support and strengthen participatory democracy, consistent with human rights. The Carter Center undertakes efforts to support good election administration in the United States, including through nonpartisan observation, bolstering dispute resolution, contributing to electoral reform and accessibility, and promoting principles for trusted elections.
To support the Carter Center’s nonpartisan election observation efforts in Georgia, the Center seeks a highly qualified and motivated consultant to serve as Observer Coordinator for the November 3, 2026, mid-term elections.
Employment Details
- Level of effort: Up to 22 days per month
- Start date: As soon as possible
- Location: Georgia (U.S.); travel throughout the state may be required
- Pay: Commensurate with experience
- Length of assignment: Through December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension/renewal depending on project needs
Scope of Work and Responsibilities
Working under the supervision of a Democracy Program project manager, and in close coordination with the Atlanta-based project team, the consultant will:
Observer Coordination and Field Management
- Identify and recruit volunteers to serve as election observers throughout Georgia, in coordination with Regional Coordinators;
- Serve as the primary day to day manager of observers;
- Support training of observer teams regarding election procedures, observation methodology, code of conduct, policies and procedures, data collection tools, security, and other core aspects of the observation effort;
- Supervise observer fieldwork and maintain regular contact with observer teams throughout the observation period;
- Coordinate communication with observers, including regular programmatic and substantive updates, guidance on priority topics of observation, and follow-up on identified issues;
- Ensure appropriate liaison, as directed, between observers and relevant stakeholders, including election officials, civic groups, community partners, and other interlocutors;
- Help troubleshoot field challenges and escalate operational or substantive issues to the project leadership team as needed.
- Support Regional Coordinators in building constructive working relationships with election administrators in their respective zones to facilitate observation
Deployment Planning and Observation Operations
- Assist in the design and management of the Center’s planned observation activities, including observer deployment plans, observation coverage, and implementation of the project methodology;
- Help identify possible observer deployment sites and support development of deployment recommendations based on project priorities;
- Prepare and implement observer deployment plans, taking into account logistical, operational, and other relevant considerations;
- Support the preparation of deployment packets and related materials, including schedules, contact lists, reporting guidance, maps, and briefing materials;
- Coordinate with project staff to ensure observers have the information, materials, and support needed to carry out their assignments effectively;
- Assist with advance preparation for key observation days and periods;
- Serve as a point of contact for observers on observation days and troubleshoot any issues that may arise in the field.
Reporting, Data Collection, and Analysis Support
- Support efforts to ensure that the observer database is up to date, accurate, and managed with full respect for data privacy requirements;
- Assist in developing and implementing reporting systems for observer activities;
- Support observer reporting in the field, including ensuring timely submission of forms and other materials;
- Work closely with the data management team and other project staff to support the use of electronic reporting systems and the flow of observer information for real-time monitoring and analysis.
Logistics and Administrative Coordination
- Coordinate observer travel, accommodation, scheduling, administrative document collection, payment information, and related logistics in collaboration with the broader project team;
- Coordinate deployment transportation and other field arrangements as needed;
- Manage implementation of observer safety, communication, and logistical protocols;
- Track observer deployment-related needs and resolve logistical issues that arise during the observation period;
- Support project meetings, briefings, debriefings, and other mission-related activities as requested.
Representation and Reporting Products
- As directed, represent the Carter Center ‘s work with key stakeholders on issues related to observer deployment, coordination, and methodology;
- Contribute to internal updates, weekly summaries, briefing materials, and other project reporting products;
- As requested, assist in drafting sections of public statements, press materials, preliminary findings, and final reports related to observer deployment and observation activities;
- Complete other tasks as requested to support the good functioning of observation activities.
Qualifications
- Relevant experience in election observation, election administration, democracy programming, civic engagement, field coordination, and/or related work;
- Demonstrated experience in recruiting volunteers, coordinating teams, managing field-based activities, or supporting large-scale deployments in fast-moving environments;
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and operational details at once;
- Experience supporting trainings, supervising staff or volunteers, and maintaining clear communication across geographically dispersed teams;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to synthesize field information clearly and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences;
- Ability to work in a non-partisan and neutral manner;
- Familiarity with U.S. elections is strongly preferred; ability to quickly learn Georgia-specific election processes is required;
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using structured reporting and data collection systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting nonpartisan election observation or civic monitoring efforts;
- Familiarity with Georgia election administration, including early voting, Election Day procedures, tabulation, canvassing, and post-election processes. Including risk-limiting audits;
- Experience working with observer reporting systems, survey tools, or mobile data collection platforms;
- Knowledge of accessibility considerations in election administration;
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including election officials, civil society actors, and community-based partners.
How to apply
Please submit an application at the following link, including your CV and contact information: Application Form
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified.