Where there are specific training needs requiring specialist skills or experience, the use of consultants or external electoral staff is worthwhile. International advisers and consultants can be concentrated to train staff on a particular area, such as computer skills or on a particular part of the process. International advisers and consultants are also useful for the training of the EMB trainers.
An advantage of external consultants is that they may have an external and sometimes more objective view of an issue. They do not need to "defend" the process and may be able to identify weaknesses which are not apparent to internal staff. Consultants also have the advantage that they are able to specialise in a narrow field of activity, whereas most permanent electoral staff have to cover a wide topic and skill area. For example, specialist lawyers can be engaged to give training on legal issues or on how to prepare for legal processes, public relations consultants can give good training on public relations skills, and automation specialists on automated processes. External trainers’ wide experiences in given cases may not only help solving specific problems, but may help to raise training programmes to international standards.
A disadvantage is that external consultants may not be familiar with the values and objectives of the electoral organisation, but this situation can be overcome with adequate briefings. Unfortunately, this type of training is costly.
