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. 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 Center is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as a Participatory Rights Analyst. The analyst will work with Carter Center staff to contribute to a pre-election assessment of participatory rights, as related to the PLC elections, in Palestine. The analyst should have a depth of experience working on election observation missions, election administration, providing technical assistance to an EMB, or relevant work in the legal field. Candidates with a demonstrated understanding of Palestinian political dynamics, 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.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Act as the assessment team’s primary technical expert on human rights, with a particular focus on fundamental freedoms and participatory rights in elections, and the conduct of the election vis-a-vis regional and international treaties, and domestic laws;
- Assess the pre-election environment and potential challenges to the exercise of participatory rights and protection of human rights during the PLC elections, as stipulated by regional and international treaties, and Palestinian law;
- Analyze aspects of Palestine’s national legislation concerning women and youth as it pertains to the PLC elections. Assess whether provisions regarding their participation allow for their full participation and align with international standards for democratic elections.
- Meet with human rights organizations, NGOs, political party representatives, civil society leaders, representatives from national observer groups and other key stakeholders to share views and assess the Palestinian human rights environment;
- Contribute to the drafting process for a report on the assessment team’s findings, including legal frameworks and regulations that impact human rights in the electoral process, and key challenges. Draft report sections concerning participatory rights, pre-election developments and respect for fundamental freedoms that may impact the inclusivity, transparency and integrity of the polls, coordinating with other experts as necessary to cover key aspects of the process.
Qualifications:
- At least seven years of experience in human rights analysis, specifically, the right to participate in public affairs, the freedoms of expression, opinion, association and assembly, and other rights related to equitable participation in political, electoral, and public life;
- Experience authoring articles on legal and human rights analysis, research, and similar topics, especially in the context of Palestinian elections, is an asset;
- Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills; fluency in English is required; ability to work in Arabic is desirable, but not required;
- Professional experience, especially in election observation missions or a research team, in Palestine or the MENA region, is desirable; and
- Leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and a background working in sensitive political situations are required.
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:
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.