Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa (Italy)
Master in Electoral Policy & Administration
Deadline for application: 15 September 2014

Voters around the world expect electoral administrators to possess the management skills to undertake a complex civilian operation, the political savvy to relate to parties and candidates, and, above all, a strong sense of ethics and integrity to conduct a fair process. The Master in Electoral Policy and Administration (MEPA) is intended to make a global contribution to such professionalization implementing, as a first pilot project, the Model Curriculum designed by International IDEA. In March 2013, International IDEA invited a group of distinguished experts from different world regions to discuss curriculum development for an electoral master programme. The initiative propelled the development of the International IDEA Model Curriculum for MEPA.

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna is the first institution to pilot this Model Curriculum. Its relies on the concept of the electoral cycle and is composed of 18 main topics.

Who should apply for MEPA?
You should apply if you are looking for a professionalizing full-time graduate study programme on electoral policy and practice offered by a leading institution in this field. If your training needs include practical skills, besides relevant theoretical knowledge, to fully understand the work as election administrators, or to work at Election Management Bodies (EMBs) this is the relevant Master for you.

Candidates will receive high level training from a faculty of internationally reputed experts, scholars and practitioners.

The Master is a competitive programme open to a maximum of 28 candidates. 14 places out of 28 are meant for female candidates. Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
• Have a three-year (at least) university degree and 2 years working experience in the Electoral field, or 5 years of relevant experience in the Electoral field. Priority will be given to candidates already working within EMBS, especially those from the Global South. Students expecting to graduate before December 31, 2014 are also eligible.
• Understand, speak and write English at least at LEVEL C1, (CEFR for Languages, CoE).

All details can be found on the MEPA website.

How to apply?
Applications deadlines are the following:
I round: 15 September 2014, 12:00 noon (CET);
II round: 1 November 2014, 12:00 noon (CET);
III round: 5 January 2015, 12:00 noon (CET).

The programme starts on 2 March 2015. Candidates are strongly recommended to apply by the first round, or as soon as they can (also in order to have enough time for visa procedures and for finding financial support). Applicants will be selected on the basis of the information provided in their CVs and in the on-line application form.

Upon submitting the application form, please remember to attach your CV. In case of problems with the on-line procedure, please send an e-mail to mepa@sssup.it.