The Programme Coordinator, who reports to the Chief of Field Office for the West Area Team, will coordinate technical programming (health and nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, social policy) in coordination with technical programme section Chiefs in the country office. Among other things, he/she will oversee coordinated assessments, planning and implementation and well as ensuring coherence in terms of the triple nexus including work on resilience and social cohesion. The role will also include advancing work on accountability, including to affected populations, partnership development and supporting advocacy and communication. The post will be based in Port Sudan with frequent missions to Darfur and Chad.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child,an advocate.

II. Strategic Office Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context  :

Sudan has experienced decades of deeply entrenched social inequalities, environmental vulnerability, armed conflict and violence, and poor governance. All this has resulted in protracted displacement, resource degradation and competition over access to natural resources, disruption of basic infrastructure and social services, food insecurity, weakened social fabric and loss of livelihoods. The failing economy, political tensions and continuing popular protests for justice and judicial reforms, and inflationary tendencies are all manifestations of Sudan’s ongoing fragility, leaving more vulnerable children, families, and communities further behind. In April 2023 the situation drastically deteriorated when an intensive armed conflict between two opposing groups erupted and has since engulfed the country causing widespread death, destruction and extensive displacement, most notably in Khartoum, the Kordofans and the Darfurs.

Since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023 and the subsequent temporary closure of the three Darfur Field Offices, UNICEF has carried out an organizational review adopting a new fit-for-purpose office structure. A single West Area Team covering Darfur will be based in Port Sudan with a satellite outpost in Chad to support cross-border operations. This structure will be reviewed as the conflict dynamics and access limitations evolve.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job:

The Programme Coordinator, who reports to the Chief of Field Office for the West Area Team, will coordinate technical programming (health and nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, social policy) in coordination with technical programme section Chiefs in the country office. Among other things, he/she will oversee coordinated assessments, planning and implementation and well as ensuring coherence in terms of the triple nexus including work on resilience and social cohesion. The role will also include advancing work on accountability, including to affected populations, partnership development and supporting advocacy and communication. The post will be based in Port Sudan with frequent missions to Darfur and Chad.

In this fragile and humanitarian context, UNICEF action is guided by its global Policy and Framework for humanitarian action: the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action

III. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Effective knowledge management and systems developed and utilized to strengthen area/country programme management.

2. Situation Analysis prepared/updated, critical programme intervention points/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations/reports prepared.

3. Programme funds optimally used.

4. Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status report timely prepared.  Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to country programme provided as integral part of programming.

5. Rights based and results based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and projects processes.

6. Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners effectively gained and established.

7. Rights perspective and advocacy at the national, community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF’s credibility in national and international policy debates.

8. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

IV. Impact of Results

As a line manager, effective and efficient programme planning, design, implementation and administration of either a small programme or specific project activities within a major programme that focus on achievement of UNICEF’s programmatic priorities.

–  As a technical expert, provide timely and effective expert advice, guidance and input on situation analysis, programme strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation and human resources.

–  Make viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

–  Responsible for certification of allocation and disbursement of funds; determine supply and cash needs to ensure programme delivery meets targeted goals and objectives.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Programme Coordinator NOD Port Sudan SUD24O44.docx 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The following minimum requirements:

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience: A minimum of eight years of professional work experience – including working in least developed countries (LDC’s) – in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or Non-Governmental-Organization is essential including in emergency humanitarian contexts.

Familiarity/ background in programming for social cohesion, resilience and triple nexus, is considered an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

VII. Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required

(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.) 

•  Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

•  UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

•  Methodology of programme/project management

•  UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.

•  Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.

•  UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.

•  UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.

•  Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

•  UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.

•  UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

•  UN security operations and guidelines.

•  UNSECORD training for members of Security Management Team.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities)

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.