The first round of the French presidential elections is scheduled for 23rd of April 2017. To support the deployment of the AEGEE Election Observation Mission in the country, applicants residing in France who are familiar with the country or one of its regions, and are interested in the topics of youth engagement in elections and election observation, are invited to join the mission as Local Coordinators.
Mission Programme
AEGEE Election Observation will deploy its mission – composed of 24 young observers, 3 Mission Coordinators and 2 Core Team Members from all over Europe – in different locations throughout the country from 19th to 25 of April.
The preliminary deployment agenda is as follows:
- 19 to 21 April in Paris (for preparation);
- 22 and 23 April in different locations across France (for observation during Election Day);
- 24 and 25 April in Paris (for debriefing)
Important: The locations for observation depend on the availability of Local Coordinators. Suggestions from applicants are very welcome.
Requirements
Local Coordinators are appointed to support the mission in the following aspects:
- accommodation – preferably provided for free;
- orientation – support with travel arrangements across the country, as well as with input on the local context;
- interpretation – securing the availability of young volunteers who speak both English and French to help observers communicate with electoral staff, voters and candidates on the election date;
- background research and accreditation – we hope that local coordinators will get involved in helping out with research tasks and accreditation procedures.
Additionally, in Paris, Local Coordinators ideally should be able to help with:
- free accommodation for all of the short-term observers;
- free meeting spaces;
- organisation of social activities and advice on local transport;
- local fundraising and the organisation of meetings with political stakeholders, interlocutors from youth organisations, civil society and with young political candidates or activists.
Most of the work should be completed by the end of March. This means that as a Local Coordinator, successful applicants will have to accomplish their most important tasks before the deployment of the mission. However, availability during the weekend of the mission’s deployment would be appreciated, so that Local Coordinators could meet with observers and help them in case they have any questions or difficulties.
Eligibility Criteria
- be between 18 and 35 years old;
- have a sound command of both English and French;
- have a solid knowledge of the country and especially of the local environment in which the applicant is based. Naturally, this profile favours French citizens, but applications from international volunteers residing in the country who fulfil the criteria are welcome as well.
Application Procedure
Please fill in the application form by Friday, 3rd of March 2017, at 23:59 CET. For any questions, please e-mail the AEGEE Election Observation Missions and Methodology Advisor in charge andreas.speiser@aegee.org