Ramallah, West Bank – September 2026
Democracy Program, The Carter Center
The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. Pending security developments, the Center plans to conduct a pre-election assessment ahead of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections, anticipated for Nov. 28, 2026. The Center is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as a Legal Analyst on the technical assessment team. Deployment is anticipated in September, pending contracting and travel restrictions to the region. This position is scheduled for an initial six-week period, which may be extended. Although an in-person assessment is highly preferred, if security and logistical considerations prevent the assessment team from deploying, stakeholder engagement and research may be conducted virtually.
The analyst will coordinate with the Team Lead and Carter Center staff to conduct a pre-election assessment of the legal/electoral framework, pre-election environment and legal factors that may influence the integrity, transparency and inclusiveness of the anticipated polls. The analyst should have a depth of experience working on election observation missions, legal/electoral frameworks (including knowledge of international standards and treaty obligations), providing technical assistance to an EMB, or conducting legal analysis or drafting for legislative projects.
Candidates with a demonstrated understanding of Palestinian affairs and past electoral processes, experience working or living in the West Bank/Gaza, and Arabic language proficiency will be given the highest consideration. Five to ten years of experience in democracy and/or elections is required in addition to a degree in political science or another relevant field.
Responsibilities
- Serve as part of a core team of experts tasked with conducting a pre-election assessment of Palestine’s November PLC elections, coordinating with the Team Lead to conduct the assessment and draft a report on the team’s findings.
- Follow and assess legal/electoral developments in Palestine related to the PLC elections;
- Research issues and advise the Center on the legal/electoral framework for the elections, including the Oslo Accords and other international peace agreements, intra-Palestinian agreements, and internal Palestinian and Palestinian-Israeli affairs that may impact the overall conduct of the November polls in the West Bank and Gaza.
- Liaise with Palestinian Authority officials, the Central Elections Commission, the judiciary, civil society organizations and other key stakeholders on legal dynamics and developments, including recent changes to the electoral system and framework. Working in coordination with field office staff, facilitate relationships with local entities and hold stakeholder meetings.
- Assess and advise Carter Center staff and consultants on the historical background, current developments, and legal frameworks and processes that may impact the integrity and inclusiveness of the anticipated electoral processes.
- Contribute to the drafting process for a report on the assessment team’s findings, including legal frameworks and regulations, and key challenges to the electoral process. Draft report sections concerning the legal framework, pre-election developments and the response of key stakeholders to changes in the electoral system, among other issues, that may impact the inclusiveness, integrity and transparency of the polls, coordinating with other technical experts as necessary to cover key aspects of the process.
Qualifications:
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Previous participation in international election observation missions and a strong knowledge of election observation methodologies preferred, including demonstrated knowledge of election law and international obligations concerning human rights, including political and electoral rights;
- Substantive experience working on legal/electoral analysis, either as part of election observation missions, support to an electoral management body, or as a practitioner in a relevant field;
- Demonstrated experience conducting similar research, working as part of a team and producing comparable written deliverables, research projects or reports.
- Prior experience working in Palestine or the MENA region, preferably extensive knowledge of Palestinian politics and recent developments.
- Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills; fluency in English is required; ability to work in Arabic is preferred.
- Ability to travel to the West Bank and Cairo for approximately 2-3 weeks in September, pending funding and security developments.
To be considered for this position, please provide your application details and upload a CV/resume and cover letter in support of your application to the following website: pal_Nov26 – Intellistack
Deadline for submissions: August 31 or until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application documents as soon as possible; decisions will be made on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Due to the large volume of applicants, only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center. Phone calls or in-person contacts are highly discouraged.
Note: This position is subject to funding and security developments in Palestine.