The United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT) in South Sudan is implementing a 4-day BRIDGE Operational Planning workshop for the National Election Commission (NEC) of South Sudan. The workshop is organized for representatives of NEC, who are involved in developing and coordinating the election operational plan, including: focal points within the Board of Commissioners responsible for oversight for operational planning; members of the NEC Secretariat at headquarters responsible for developing and coordinating the NEC operational plan, including staff with election operational and administrative support functions; members/staff of NEC state offices responsible for coordinating the operational plan in their area of responsibility; representatives of UN IEAT who will be supporting the NEC in operational planning. 

The workshop aims to enhance understanding of key principles and practices in election operational planning and thereby strengthen capacities of relevant staff to undertake upcoming operational planning processes in South Sudan.

The workshop learning objectives are:

·    To enhance knowledge of concepts, principles and practices of election operational planning.

·    To strengthen understanding of operational planning processes through targeted activities and discussion.

·    To consider different aspects of developing an operational plan, including risk mitigation strategies.

·    To enhance confidence in undertaking upcoming operational planning processes.

This workshop is the third of a series of BRIDGE workshops taking place from April to June 2024 as part of a broad capacity development programme that aims to (i) enhance the knowledge of the NEC on electoral principles and practices and the functions of election management throughout the electoral cycle; (ii) raise the awareness of targeted stakeholders on electoral issues; and (iii) start to develop a qualified cadre of facilitators in South Sudan who are able to use the BRIDGE curriculum effectively in order to deliver workshops on electoral issues for the benefit of a range of electoral stakeholders.