The Carter Center, Democracy Program
Consultant – Election Technology Expert
Election Expert Mission
Lima, Peru
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.
The Carter Center is seeking a highly qualified independent contractor to serve as an Election Technology Expert for an international Election Expert Mission (EEM) to Peru for the presidential, parliamentary, and Andean Assembly elections to be held on April 12, 2026, with a possible presidential runoff on June 7, 2025. The Election Technology Expert will assess the prospective Peruvian digital voting system and technology architecture, including technical and legal frameworks as they relate to electronic suffrage. The expert will also provide analysis of the use of vote tabulation systems and other technology that impacts the conduct of the elections. The expert will contribute to public statements regarding the electoral process to provide an impartial assessment of the elections. This position is contingent on electoral developments in Peru regarding the use of the electronic voting system. The duration and full scope of the EEM is contingent on the availability of funds and electoral developments. The expert team will deploy for one month around election day for the first round and for three weeks around the presidential run off if needed.
Primary responsibilities:
In coordination with the Mission Director:
- Analyze the legal framework for digital voting in Peru, including strengths and weaknesses, and the degree to which implementation follows the law.
- Conduct an analysis of the situation regarding the digital voting system, including meeting with stakeholders such as relevant government institutions, election administration bodies, scholars, and civil society groups working on the protection of digital rights.
- Conduct an analysis of audit and other reports on Peru’s election technology to understand how the technology functions, how it was tested, and provisions for transparency and verifiability, as well as strengths and weaknesses (i.e., vulnerabilities).
- Conduct interviews with the election management bodies to understand how election technology will record, transmit, and/or tabulate ballots and results, how election technology is safeguarded against hacking and cyberattacks, and how data collected through election technology is safeguarded to protect voter privacy and secrecy.
- Prepare technical analysis of the voting systems, software, hardware, and other technical aspects of the Peru voting system. Assess technical procedures required for voter and candidate registration, balloting, counting, tabulation and transmission of results, dispute resolution and other relevant issues against national legislation, administrative procedures, and international obligations for democratic elections.
- Draft contributions to public reports and statements that provide analysis of election technology issues in Peru, as well as recommendations for steps that can be taken ahead of future elections.
Qualifications:
- B.S. and/or M.S. degree in Computing Science, Communication Design, Interface Design, Human Computer Interaction Design, and/or equivalent experience.
- Ability to prototype directly in HTML, JavaScript, CSS Knowledge of quantitative tools and languages, including R, Python, Power BI (or similar platform) and others, is preferred.
- Proven experience in analysis of digital and electronic voting systems is highly desirable.
- Experience in international and regional electoral observation is preferable.
- Cross-cultural understanding.
- Strong writing and communication skills.
- Ability to work in difficult conditions, perform well under stress, work within a team, and always maintain professionalism.
- Fluency in Spanish and English, both written and spoken, is required.
To be considered for this position, provide your application details and upload a CV/resume and cover letter in support of your application at the following link:
Only applications received through this link will be considered.
If you have questions, please email: alejandro.espinosa@cartercenter.org
As this is an international election observation mission, Peruvian nationals are not eligible for this role. Only those candidates selected for additional consideration will be notified.