Organization Mission

The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF), is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families.
Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

Context

This I-UNV assignment is to support The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF)’s work in the Nuba Mountains area of South Kordofan and in parts of the Blue Nile (2 Areas), Sudan which is characterized by a complex interplay of historical grievances, political aspirations, and socio-economic challenges. The area is under the control of non-state actors with established governance systems that oversee access to the areas, local resources and facilitate the approvals of humanitarian aid activities. The April 15th 2023 war in Sudan has worsened the humanitarian situation in the area; movement of people and flow of goods has become more restricted. The humanitarian situation in the 2 Areas is critical, with ongoing conflict exacerbating vulnerabilities. Immediate and sustained humanitarian assistance is necessary to address food insecurity, health/nutrition needs and protection concerns. Collaborative efforts between local authorities, NGOs, international organizations, and United Nations Agencies are essential to improve the situation for affected populations. The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) in partnership with international and national NGOs is supporting Health, Nutrition, Education, WASH and Child Protection Programmes in both areas. The programmatic activities are a mix of emergency response – for example cholera and other disease outbreaks, severe and acute malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, among others as well as development programming on education provision, child protection, and cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Emergency Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the focus of work of the UN Volunteer Programme Officer is as follows:
Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.
1. Knowledge Management for Programmes Ensure that area/country programmes are strengthened by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of “lessons learned” and other corporate-level databases.
2. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action. Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Emergency Coordinator, the Evaluation Officer, Chief of Southern Area and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Ensure the timely preparation of annual programme status reports.
3. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach Assure the quality of child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme design. Ensure 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, and recommendations on new programme initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.
4. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability Provide key local stakeholders with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability. Ensure the building or reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.
5. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the Community and Family Levels Conducts policy analysis from a children”s and women”s rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for credibility in national and international policy debates.
6. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration Develop partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data. Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability. Plans, develops, and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the key local stakeholders and other partners. Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy, and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by the United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) programme and country level cooperation.

Required Skills and Experience

Humanitarian experience working in a complex/ insecure contexts and in one of the following technical fields: WASH, Health & Nutrition, Child Protection would be distinct advantage.

Core Competencies

.Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to the United Nations agency for children (UNICEF); technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to the United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) procedures and rules; discretion and cultural sensitivity; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors; take personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
•Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and the United Nations agency for children (UNICEF)in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
•Teamwork and respect for diversity: excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
•Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
•Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
•Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills in English, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
•Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
•Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the United Nations agency for children (UNICEF)’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

There is no mobile phone network in Nuba, internet is available only in offices of organisations and authorities. ‘City electricity’ does not exist, low level solar capacity is procured by organisations or businesses – some HHs have solar lights, but most have none. There is no centralised water provision. There is no banking facility available, the economy is cash-based. The market availability of even basic goods is extremely limited. Local field hospitals are available which offer basic medical care which can also be impacted at times, by lack of supplies.
Accommodation is largely in traditional huts. The duty station offers a unique and challenging experience for candidates who are resilient, have a mature level of cultural awareness, are conflict-sensitive and a commitment to delivering benefits to a diverse population with complex needs and priorities. Physical hardship and potentially hazardous living conditions typify the duty station.
You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
Field conditions are not easily modified to increase accessibility – the terrain is dirt track. The office, which consists of 1 room, is shared by all staff and those on field missions.