The Carter Center, Democracy Program
Consultant – Mission Director
Electoral 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 Mission Director for an international Electoral 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 Mission Director will lead a team of experts to engage with stakeholders, conduct analysis, and report on key aspects of the electoral process. The duration and full scope of the mission is contingent on the availability of funds and electoral developments. The expert team is anticipated to deploy for one month around election day for the first round and for three weeks around the presidential run off, if needed.
Primary responsibilities:
- Lead the international Carter Center EEM and oversee daily mission operations.
- Serve as a senior representative of The Carter Center in Peru.
- Establish and maintain ongoing liaison with key actors in Peru, including government officials, election officials, political party leaders and candidates, NGO and civil society leaders, security officials, domestic and international observer groups, and the diplomatic community to share views on the electoral process and political environment.
- Provide political and electoral analysis to The Carter Center on programmatic, operational, and substantive electoral issues.
- Synthesize and analyze findings and share weekly written reports and oral briefings as needed with Carter Center staff in Atlanta.
- Coordination of international and national team members to implement the mission, working in concert with Atlanta staff. Review and edit mission materials, including internal and public reporting, checklists, and other documents related to the implementation of the mission.
- Oversee in-country arrangements regarding the logistical, technical, operational, financial and security requirements of the mission, including data collection and participation of high-level leadership.
- In consultation with Atlanta staff, assume the lead role in drafting or overseeing drafting of Carter Center press releases, statements, and reports assessing the electoral process. Take the lead on drafting or overseeing drafting of the final report.
- Ensure that all members of the expert team are aware of and adhere to Carter Center Codes of Conduct.
Qualifications:
- Applicants should have at least seven years of senior level experience implementing election monitoring missions, democracy and governance programs, or conflict-prevention efforts, ideally in the region, or at a minimum in other countries with a similar democratic context.
- Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of the Carter Center’s observation methodology, including international and regional standards for democratic elections.
- Proven experience in relevant leadership role(s) for international organizations or NGOs, including establishment of country offices and managing required administrative procedures, personnel and programmatic activities.
- Advanced degree in law or another relevant field is preferred.
- Strong experience working on election observation missions.
- Demonstrated legal experience and knowledge of election law; international obligations concerning human rights, political and electoral rights; electoral and political violence issues; and other aspects of electoral processes.
- Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
- Fluency in Spanish and English, both written and spoken, is required.
- Leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and a background working in sensitive political situations are required.
- A demonstrated understanding of Peruvian political dynamics with emphasis on electoral issues and previous experience working in Peru and/or the region are preferred.
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.