Programme Manager (Resilience and Social Cohesion) – UNICEF

Job Description

Programme Manager (Resilience and Social Cohesion), P-4, Fixed Term, Nyala, Sudan

Job no:	547437
Contract type:	Fixed Term Appointment
Level:	P-4
Location:	Sudan
Categories:	Programme Management
Advertised:	05/01/2022 E.Africa Standard Time
Deadline:	19/01/2022 E.Africa Standard Time

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child

Sudan, surrounded by the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Libya and South Sudan, positioned next to East, West, South and North Africa, is surrounded by complex conflicts in an unpredictable, volatile and rapidly evolving region. Sudan is by size the third biggest country in Africa, with a diverse population of around 42 million people. Sudan’s children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives significantly improve: fewer girls and boys are dying before their fifth birthday, primary school attendance is increasing, immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free. Still, millions of children continue to suffer from protracted conflict in Darfur, the Kordofan’s, and Blue Nile, from seasonal natural disasters, malnutrition and disease outbreaks, and from under-investment in basic social services. More than three million of Sudan’s school aged children are not in the classroom. UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and continues with a presence in 12 of Sudan’s 18 states.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Job

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. These challenges have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The signing of the Juba Peace Agreement provided renewed optimism in the country for peace, economic and social development, and further integration into the global community. Realisation of hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese depend on much needed political and economic reforms which struggle to keep pace with everyday challenges, such as rising prices of petroleum and food baskets, and appropriate responses to several key conflict drivers such as access to land and water, competition over basic services, protracted displacement, and rising criminality, among others.  

Enhancing resilience and social cohesion in Darfur, severely undermined by cyclical socio-economic, conflict and climatic shocks and stresses, is a key priority of the Juba Peace Agreement. The national government and international partners recognise that prospects for peacebuilding and achieving sustainable development gains, both critical to underpin resilience, depend on a twin-track approach tackling key underlying conflict drivers while contributing to more immediate socio-economic and humanitarian needs.  

UNICEF and WFP are designing a joint programme (JP) to support the Government of Sudan across North, South and Central Darfur— providing immediate support to strengthen the functionality of local authority institutions and improve community participation in activities promoting self-reliance, resilience, and social cohesion in targeted localities. This will entail an integrated approach to disaster preparedness, development of sustainable livelihood opportunities, access to basic social services and social protection provision. Its design will align with priorities of the spirit and letter of the Juba Agreement for durable solutions in development, strengthening horizontal and vertical social cohesion, peaceful resolution of local conflict and contribute to the establishment of a conducive environment for lasting peaceful coexistence. The programme will contribute to strengthening the adaptive and transformative capacities of individuals and communities, and the institutions and systems that provide services to them.  

The joint intervention proposed will coordinate with national, state and locality level government institutions and other key national and international stakeholders. It will build on the work not only of the UN Country Team, the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan and the Government, but also support the scale-up of local grassroot initiatives, leveraging technical expertise and other resources while encouraging local ownership. The following key results are envisioned to be achieved: 

1. Communities will have enhanced food systems, resilient livelihoods and increased equitable access to and utilisation of quality basic social services and protection 

2. Systems and institutions at locality and community levels will be strengthened resulting in enhanced governance, accountability, efficiency, inclusiveness, and protection of rights across all groups in target locations 

3. Promoting peace and collaboration through a culture of inclusive social dialogue, ownership and engagement in community processes and outcomes to foster trust and interdependence across community groups 

4. Programme approach and implementation is informed by participatory methods of evidence generation and monitoring, supporting advocacy, policy and practice in Sudan and the broader region 

A UNICEF programme manager for this EURO 100 million four (4) year JP funded by the Government of Germany is required to provide strategic guidance and management support to its successful implementation. 

The programme manager will be based in Nyala, Sudan, and report to the Chief of Field Office for South and East Darfur. 

The programme manager will regularly visit North and Central Darfur to support JP management in all targeted States.  

To support efficient and effective coordination, UNICEF and WFP will establish a PMU. The programme manager will seat in the PMU. The Manager will be required to regularly travel to Khartoum for PMU engagements with key stakeholders.  

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Coordination with WFP: Lead overall day to day JP coordination with WFP including facilitation of JP PMU (in coordination with senior management team) 

2. Inception Phase: Co-lead with WFP the six-month inception phase to finalize the overall programme design, ensuring an inclusive, localised, participatory approach to design and implementation 

3. Representation: Represent UNICEF in the JP PMU as well as with key Darfur-wide networks and initiatives including government and UN related 

4. Programme management and implementation: Overall management and coordination (for UNICEF) of all aspects of the programme toward the agreed results; support and facilitate the coordination of, UNICEF State level teams; oversee grant management and financial management,  

5. Monitoring and reporting: Support PME team in Darfur-wide baseline development, monitoring, Pull together and finalise donor reports and other documentation related to the implementation of the programme. 

6. Human Resources: Support CFOs in timely and effective management of staff including recruitment processes as required 
7. Partnerships: Support CFO’s in the oversight of partnership development, amendments and overall PD management. 
8. Communications, visibility and donor relations: Lead and support JP visibility, communication as well as donor visits
9. Evidence generation and learning: Beyond the JP results framework alone, contribute to strengthen capacity and learning for UNICEF in programming for social cohesion, resilience and the triple nexus.  

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: peace-building, international relations, political science, international development, or another relevant technical field. 
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: programme management, peace-building, community empowerment. Previous experience and / or deep understanding about programming in a context similar to that of UNICEF Sudan programming environment, in particular Darfur, is an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) 

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Candidates assessed as suitable in this process who are not appointed for this specific post may be retained in the relevant talent group and contacted for similar career opportunities in the future. 

Advertised: 05 Jan 2022 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 19 Jan 2022 E. Africa Standard Time

About UNICEF

UNICEF, also known as the United Nations Children’s Fund, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The agency is among the most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations in the world, with a presence in 192 countries and territories. 

Headquarters: New York, NY

What does UNICEF do in the United Kingdom?

UNICEF keeps children safe by providing vaccines against deadly diseases, distributing mosquito nets, and by promoting safe hygiene in communities around the world. We are the world’s largest supplier of emergency life-saving food for children. And we campaign tirelessly to end violence against children.

What are the 3 largest donors of UNICEF?

In 2020, the three largest government contributors to UNICEF were the United States of America, Germany, and the European Commission.

Does the United Nations offer scholarships?

Now you can begin earning college scholarships for your participation in model United Nations as early as the 9th grade, even if you don’t plan to pursue it in college. … Plus, if you’re in a leadership role, you may be eligible for an extra scholarship of up to $3,375 per year!

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International scholarships, fellowships, or grants are offered to students outside the country where the university is located. These are also called financial aid and many times the financial aid office of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) deals with it. United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) scholarships are offered by United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to study or research there.

There are various United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) scholarships, internships for international students. Apart from the university-based scholarships, there are many other organizations including foundations, trusts, corporates, etc. Who offer scholarships for international students. To help, we list out the latest international scholarships, fellowships, and grants information. The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) scholarships application form is also available to apply online for the scholarships.

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For jobs from UNICEF visit: UNICEF Jobs Page