6 Chancel Street
London
SE10UU

Tel: +44(0)20 7620 3794
Fax: +44(0)20 7928 4366

Email contacts:
General enquiries: erisuk@eris.org.uk
For CV and recruitment questions: cv@eris.org.uk
For Election observation: eom@eris.org.uk
For EU Election observation: eu@eris.org.uk

Missions FAQ's

1) What are the selection criteria for an election observer?
2) How do I become an LTO (Long Term Observer?
3) How do I become a member of the Core Team?
4) What are the responsibilities of an STO?
5) Will I be paid as an election observer?
6) Do I have to organise my own travel?
7) Can I organise my own travel arrangements for the mission?
8) Can I choose in which area of the country I can be deployed to?
9) Am I required to speak additional languages?

1) What are the selection criteria for an election observer?

ERIS maintains a strict recruitment policy in order to ensure a high standard of UK election observers. We are looking for people who have past experience in election observation missions, experience of election administration, relevant academic and/or professional backgrounds. In addition, ERIS requires that election observers be in excellent health, and willing to work long hours in difficult conditions, and have the ability to work well as part of a team. Please click HERE to refer to our recruitment and selection procedures.
 
2) How do I become an LTO (Long Term Observer?

Long Term Observers are deployed for between 8 and 10 weeks, and mirror the work of the Core Team at a regional level. Obviously the requirements and demands of the LTO are far greater than those for STOs, and consequently LTOs are drawn from those observers with extensive prior mission experience. LTOs are selected by invitation only.
 
 
3) How do I become a member of the Core Team?

The core team is recruited directly by the organisation conducting the observation mission, and consequently ERIS has no responsibility for the recruitment and selection of Core Team members. Members of the Core Team will have considerable mission experience and an extensive professional experience in international affairs.
 
4) What are the responsibilities of an STO?

As a Short Term Observer you will be deployed throughout the country in multinational two person teams and will be responsible for observing the close of the election campaign, the voting process, and counting and tabulation of results in your area of responsibility. Your observations will be used by the Core Team to gain an overall assessment of the polling day procedures. Upon your return to the UK, you will need to complete a post mission report for ERIS describing your observations during the mission. Based on this, ERIS will provide a final report to the FCO. STOs will be under contract with ERIS, and are required to comply with all instructions and arrangements from the Mission Core Team.
 
5) Will I be paid as an election observer?

No. Short Term Observers are volunteers and are therefore not paid a salary. However, all mission costs are incurred by ERIS, and STOs will be issued with appropriate funds to cover transport and hotel costs during the mission. STOs will also be issued with a per-diem to cover the cost of meals and incidentals during the mission, thus STOs are not required to pay for expenses, including transport costs within the UK. Detailed financial instructions are given with each mission explaining the process fully.
 
6) Do I have to organise my own travel?

No. All travel arrangements are made by ERIS, including the issuing of appropriate visas as required. The UK team will be deployed on flights organised by ERIS, and will be accommodated in hotels organised by the Election Observation Mission Core Team. STOs will only be responsible for making their own way to and from the airport in the UK, where they will be met by an ERIS representative. Upon arrival in country all other transport is organised for them. ERIS will also make sure that the UK team has appropriate travel insurance cover for the duration of the mission.
 
7) Can I organise my own travel arrangements for the mission?

No. All UK STOs must comply strictly with the travel arrangements organised for them. All observers are required to travel on the flights organised for them by ERIS, and no alternative arrangements can be made. Travel insurance will only cover observers for the duration of the mission and will not be extended under any circumstances to suit private travel arrangements. Observers will be required to return to the UK on the flights provided without exception. ERIS will not reimburse alternate flight arrangements.
 
8) Can I choose in which area of the country I can be deployed to?

No. Deployment areas are assigned in advance by the Core team prior to the arrivals of the STOs. These arrangements are based upon mission requirements and are not possible to change; STOs are required to comply with deployment plans and may not request changes.
 
9) Am I required to speak additional languages?

No. The mission language will be in English, and all STO teams are assigned a local driver and interpreter for the duration of the mission. Preference is given to those STOs with relevant additional languages during the selection process.