IFES Moldova is hiring a Monitoring System and Data Expert (MSDE) Consultant to support the electoral campaign oversight

IFES Moldova Job Description

Monitoring System and Data Expert (MSDE)

Project Description

The International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) is launching activities under the Moldova Electoral Support Project. This project is funded by the UK International Development from the UK government. Under the project, IFES supports election management actors in Moldova in building on the country’s democratic reforms, preparing for upcoming parliamentary elections, and strengthening responses to crises and threats.

IFES supports the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) in strengthening the capacity of the Political Parties and Electoral Campaigns Oversight and Control Division (PPECOCD). For the 2025 parliamentary elections, the CEC needs a modern mechanism for tracking electoral expenses, including online and abroad. For this purpose, IFES will hire a Monitoring System and Data Expert (MSDE) – a consultant specialized in social media monitoring, data analysis and IT systems.

Primary Function/Purpose

Hiring a specialist to support CEC PPECOCD by:

• Developing and operating an integrated electoral expenditure monitoring system, including a field monitoring system for District Electoral Councils (DECs) (online and offline);
• Rapid identification of undeclared expenditure, including those carried out on digital platforms;
• Providing periodic reports and recommendations to strengthen electoral financial control.

This position is for a native Romanian-speaking individual for up to 80 working days, over a period of approximately 4,5 months. The MSDE Consultant must be available to work in Chisinau, Moldova, with some work also being possible remotely. This position is expected to begin around July 1, 2025.

Scope and Expected Results

The consultant will work closely with the IFES and CEC teams to design, pilot and operate a monitoring flow at central and district levels based on open data and third-party reports (social platforms, advertisers). The system will deliver regular analyses and an accessible database to PPECOCD, facilitating rapid interventions where financial irregularities are detected.

Main Job Responsibilities

Social media monitoring

Monitoring the activity of electoral competitors on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Telegram, YouTube, etc.; collecting information on expenses or actions that would involve expenses.

Analysis of advertising broadcasters' reports

Consolidation of data declared by electoral advertising providers to the CEC; checking coherence with competitors' financial reports; identifying discrepancies.

Methodology and database

Development of standard monitoring methodology (online and offline, domestic and abroad); design of a secure, easy-to-query database for storing collected information; technical documentation and user guide.

Cooperation with DECs

Collaboration with the chairs of the DECs to expand monitoring at the local level; training of DEC staff in the use of the methodology and database; continuous support during the campaign.

Periodic reporting

Preparation of weekly (in campaign) and monthly (outside campaign) reports to PPECOCD, presenting findings, types of discrepancies and operational recommendations.

Competencies

Education

Specialized secondary education or university degree in data journalism, statistics, economics or related field. Alternatively: Bachelor's degree in the same fields + 2 additional years of relevant experience. An advanced university degree (Master's) or additional certifications in data analysis, OSINT or digital forensics would be considered an advantage.

Professional experience

Min. 2 years (with Master's degree) or min. 4 years (with Bachelor's degree) of progressive experience in online environment monitoring, data analysis, information visualization, media audit. Previous experience in monitoring elections, political spending or electoral campaigns would be considered an advantage.

Technical skills

• Experience in working with databases and presenting data in Excel and Word.
• Experience in working with databases and knowledge of information documentation standards (political advertisements) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) principles would be considered an advantage.

Additional skills

• Familiarity with electoral legislation and media in the Republic of Moldova;
• Experience in collaborating with public institutions, development agencies, NGOs.
• Previous involvement in international projects (IFES, OSCE, CoE) would be considered an advantage.

Languages ​​

Fluency in Romanian. Knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian or other relevant languages and working level of English would be considered an advantage.

Professional certifications

Certifications in digital audit, data analytics or cybersecurity would be considered an advantage.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit via email a resume/CV and a short cover letter in English as part of their application to moldova.consultants@ifes.org no later than June  14, 2025, at 18:00 (Chisinau time).

• The resume/CV or cover letter should include contact information for at least two (2) former supervisors or peers able to serve as recent professional references.
• The position title must be indicated in the subject line of the email when applying.

Note: IFES reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to his post for other similar positions with IFES, in the light of experience and educational requirements.