Consultant: Voting Rights Expert, U.S. Elections

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 Center seeks a highly qualified, motivated, and energetic consultant to the Center’s US Elections Project.

Start date: As soon as possible, with potential travel

Location: Remote

Length of Assignment: end of the year with possibility of extension

The Democracy Program at The Carter Center works globally to support democratic elections and strengthen participatory democracy, consistent with human rights. Beginning in 2020, The Carter Center began efforts to support good elections in the U.S. There are multiple key aspects to this project, contributing to electoral reform, promoting candidate codes of conduct and establishing nonpartisan observation efforts.

The Carter Center is seeking a highly qualified voting rights analyst to work on the Center’s US election advisory team under the guidance of the Democracy Program staff. The voting rights expert will assess and analyze key issues affecting women, the disabled, and disenfranchised groups in the United States. The voting rights expert will contribute to public and private statements concerning the electoral process and provide an impartial assessment of elections as well as detailed recommendations for ways to improve the program’s inclusiveness, credibility, and transparency as it relates to voting access of historically disenfranchised peoples. A minimum of seven (7) 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 program’s primary technical expert on voting rights, inclusion and access;
  • Analyze aspects of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Florida, and North Carolina’s legislation concerning disenfranchised peoples as it pertains to the states’ elections. Assess whether provisions regarding their participation are implemented in accordance with their legal framework as well as international standards for democratic elections
  • Analyze the participation and barriers to the participation of disenfranchised groups as voters and candidates in the electoral process against international standards, develop standardized tools, checklists, discussion guidelines and other data gathering instruments to assess participatory rights and barriers to their effective engagement
  • Follow key developments in participatory rights and respect for human rights throughout the electoral cycle in the United States, including freedom of assembly and expression, right to vote, and right to stand as a candidate, among others.
  • Contribute to Carter Center press releases, public statements, and project reports as necessary
  • Brief project members on key voting rights issues during the campaign and election, drafting briefing papers and other mission-related documents as requested.
  • Attend meetings with various stakeholders, as necessary and relevant to the project goals
  • Speak on behalf of The Carter Center at events or media opportunities as necessary and relevant to the project goals

Qualifications:

  • Ideal candidates will possess some or all of the following qualifications:
  • A minimum of five (5) or more years of experience working on voting rights issues
  • A bachelor’s degree in political science, ethnic studies, disability studies or a related subject
  • Demonstrated experience in assessing barriers to voting and legal frameworks regarding gender, race, and disability
  • Knowledge of American politics and culture
  • Leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and a background working in sensitive political situations
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Please upload a cover letter, at least 3 references, and a CV to https://airtable.com/shrsPS9D0R07WSH4G. Only applications uploaded in the system will be considered.

Deadline for submissions: August 5, 2022, 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. No phone calls or in-person contacts please.