Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative The Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative Phase II* is an EBR-funded project designed to address the identified training needs of more junior staff members of Commonwealth Election Management Bodies (EMBs). In doing so, the project draws heavily on the experience and lessons learned from implementation of JEP Phase I, and aims to consolidate and extend impact achieved to date.

Operating under the auspices of the Commonwealth Electoral Network (CEN), CEP Phase II forms an integral part of the Secretariat’s offer to Commonwealth EMBs, promoting the delivery of more transparent, credible and inclusive elections. 

The proposal maps out a three-year project (1 March 2017 to 28 February 2020) at a total investment cost of GBP 850,000. The project includes the provision of two dedicated Secretariat staff, and is fully-funded by the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

CEP Phase II addresses two core problems:
(i) the lack of professional development opportunities provided to more junior election professionals employed by permanent Commonwealth election management bodies (EMBs), and
(ii) the lack of capacity-building and training provided to permanent and temporary staff within micro and non-permanent EMBS in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. 

CEP Phase II will address these issues through:
(i) the design and delivery of a series of eight capacity-building events for a minimum of 110 election officials from a minimum of 40 Commonwealth EMBs;
(ii) the creation and moderation of an online community of interest for a minimum of 110 project participants on Commonwealth Connects for the purposes of peer support, experience and knowledge sharing, and
(iii) the provision of a series of three 9 to 12 month secondments for outstanding alumni from JEP Phase I to contribute to the work of the Commonwealth Electoral Network (CEN).

By project end,
(i) Participating election professionals will perform better in their roles, leading to assignment of new responsibilities and/or career progression within their EMB or civil service, and
(ii) EMBs will have reviewed electoral practices, procedures and policies and formulate recommendations to increase the fairness, credibility and inclusiveness of elections within their jurisdictions.

In equipping Commonwealth EMBs with a pool of expertise and specialist knowledge and supporting online network, the project will enhance the capacity of Commonwealth members to conduct fair, credible and inclusive elections (contributing to Intermediate Outcome 1.3 within Strategic Outcome 1, Democracy: Greater adherence to Commonwealth political values and principles, Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021.

February 2021 Update: In line with the related Grant Agreement with Australia, the second phase of the CEP Initiative (CEP Phase II) was originally due to end on 30 June 2020. As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on project implementation, CEP Phase II was extended in April 2020 until 31 March 2021 through a Deed of Amendment. 

Concurrently and at Australia’s request, the Secretariat entered into negotiations for a third phase project phase (CEP Phase III). Signed on 6 January 2021, the CEP Phase III Grant Agreement provides for a total EBR contribution of GBP900,000 for the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2025.

As a consequence of the new funding arrangement, the effective project end-date of CEP Phase II was brought forward to 31 December 2020. In consultation with SPPD and ahead of the adoption of the new Secretariat Strategic Plan, guidance was received to revise and extend the existing CEP Phase II PDD on PMIS .

CEP Phase III
As noted, the Australian EBR contribution provides for a total of GBP 900,000 for the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2025. Similarly to CEP Phase II, CEP Phase III includes provision for two dedicated project staff: the CEP Programme Officer and Assistant.

The strategic goal of this Project is to enhance the capacity of Commonwealth member countries to conduct fair, credible and inclusive electoral processes (contributing to Intermediate Outcome 1.3 within Strategic Outcome 1, Democracy: Greater adherence to Commonwealth political values and principles, Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21) by equipping Commonwealth EMBs with a pool of expertise and specialist knowledge and supporting online network.

By the end of the Project, the following intermediate outcomes will have been achieved:

*Participating election professionals are trained in international best practice as it relates to electoral management, and apply the knowledge and skills gained to their work within their Election Management Body (‘EMB’) or civil service.

*Participating election professionals perform better in their roles, leading to assignment of new responsibilities and/or career progression within their EMB or civil service.

*Participating election professionals review their EMB’s electoral practices, procedures and policies and formulate recommendations to increase the fairness, credibility, and inclusiveness of electoral processes.

It is noted that CEP Phase III includes measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on project implementation, including the holding of virtual meetings in addition to in-person training events.