Two Areas Project Assistant – UNV

Job Description

Organization		UN OCHA Sudan’s
Description of the assignment title		Two Areas Project Assistant
Host entity		UNDP
Assignment country		Sudan
Type		Onsite
Duration		24 months (with possibility of extension)
Sustainable Development Goal		16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Number of assignments		1
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities		No
Advertisement end date		06/28/2022

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. In Sudan, UNDP supports a broad range of development interventions. At present, this focuses on support for Sudan’s transition, coupled with efforts on peacebuilding and stabilization, climate-resilience and access to energy, and broader health and economic improvement. Learn more about our impact in 2019. With dedicated support from donor nations, the international community, and national and international partners, UNDP works in Sudan to deliver on our promise to empower resilient nations. Serving as the main development integrator in Sudan, UNDP supports SDG-focused strategic capacity development initiatives nationwide, focusing on: inclusive socioeconomic transformation and revival; restoring governance through inclusive and accountable institutions; sustaining and consolidating local peacebuilding; and investing in a new Green Deal through renewable energy and climate resilience efforts. Through our active partnerships with national and international entities, UNDP strives to eliminate poverty, enable recovery, and ensure effective management of natural resources, and advance peace and social cohesion. Achieving this will require investment in stabilization and resilience strengthening at all levels of society, in tandem with humanitarian assistance. For more details of UNDP work in Sudan please visit https://www.sd.undp.org/.

Context

In July 2021, an inter-agency assessment mission was carried out in the SPLM-N controlled territory in Kauda and the surrounding region. The objective of the mission was to come up with an operational plan of the Two Areas including a framework of engagement for the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance, but also to conduct an in-depth analysis of the immediate and long-term needs of the affected population alongside opportunities to tap into on behalf of the entire UN system as well as define the principles of engagement in the said territory. Consultations with the different secretariats of the SPLM-N in Kauda and information available from needs assessments and field missions indicate Education; Health; Food Security and Livelihoods; and WASH as the topmost priority in the region. The outcome of this mission was an “Operational Plan for the Two Areas” consequently presented and endorsed by the UN county team in Sudan.

Against this background, UNDP has decided to establish its field presence in the Two Areas to help in the implementation of the UN Operational Plan of the Two Areas but also to promote long-term solution to the needs of the local population in the region by addressing some of the above stated needs and challenges that confront peace and development in the region. This has necessitated this UNV assignment.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of [Senior Programme Manager – Integrated Community Stabilization Programme (ICSP)] or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV [Two Areas Project Assistant ] will: Summary of Key Functions

• Assist in the provision of Programme/Project management and technical support in the Two Areas

• Assist in the implementation of Project Strategies

• Assist in the management of project activities within the thematic/sectoral areas of ICSP

• Assist in the creation of strategic partnerships

• Assist in the facilitation of knowledge building and management.

• Assist in promoting Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDP-Nexus) by ensuring synergies and complementary with the work of other UN entities and other players through an integrated community stabilization approach.

• Act as the Two Areas Project Analyst in the absence of the substantive. Ensure provision of Programme/Project management and technical support in the Two Areas focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to work closely with SPLM-N counterparts, Implementing partners and other stakeholders for the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of project activities in the Two Areas.

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to represent UNDP’s ICSP project in the Two Areas and attend all meetings related to interventions in the Two Areas and provide update on urgent issues that need attention;

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to act as custodian of UNDP assets assigned to the Two Areas;

• Provide regular weekly and monthly weekly updates on all project activities.

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to monitor regularly the activities of implementing partners to ensure that activities are implemented according to the contract or agreement signed with UNDP.

• Carry out any other duty as required by his/her supervisor. Ensure implementation of project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to work closely with SPLM-N authorities, implementing partners and the inter-agency community to facilitate community consultations and needs assessments in a bid to identifying and implementing joint activities that will benefit displaced and local population in the Two Areas.

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to provide technical support and guidance to implementing partners in the implementation of ICSP activities Ensure effective management of Project activities within the thematic/sectoral areas of ICSP focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Assist the Two Areas Project Analyst to provide technical support to implementing partners in the establishment of Community Management Committees (CMCs) and providing capacity building of its members to ensure their effectiveness in taking lead in carrying out project activities.

• Monitor activities related to peace building, peaceful coexistence and social cohesion in communities hosting displaced populations.

• Provide briefings to local authorities, project beneficiaries and other stakeholders on the program’s aims and objectives to have in-depth knowledge about UNDP’s assistance in the Two Areas. Ensure effective creation of strategic partnerships focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Work closely with implementing partners to ensure transparency and accountability in project implementation as well as establish compliant mechanism for project beneficiaries.

• Facilitate linkages of the field office with state level government and development actors that can strengthen and enhance its community outreach and impact;

• Work closely with SPLM-N authorities to facilitate access to project sites for all implementing partners.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;

• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in

• working experience with local authorities in implementing community development programme.

• Two years of working experience in implementing humanitarian and recovery projects for local communities benefiting displaced population and host communities.

• Understanding of the political, cultural and conflict dynamics of the Two Areas.

• Basic computer skills.

• Familiarity with UN agencies, NGOs and civil societies; NOTE: Only candidates (Female and Male) who are either residing in the Kauda region or in the diaspora and ready to settle in Kauda will be considered for this post.

Area(s) of expertise

Economics and finance, Agriculture, Development programmes

Driving license

–

Languages

Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Economics, Development Studies, Project Management, Agronomy/Agriculture or any related field. A Bachelor’s Degree in any of the above fields with four years of qualifying experience may be considered in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism

• Integrity

• Teamwork and respect for diversity

• Commitment to continuous learning

• Planning and organizing

• Communication

• Flexibility

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Despite being the headquarters of the SPLM-N during the civil conflict between Sudan Armed Forces and SPLM-N in the Two Areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile States, the security situation in Kauda remains calm and quiet. Access to the region for now is only by air through the UN humanitarian air services who runs flights once a week in the region. Vehicular access to the region in not possible at the moment. Climate wise, the region experiences around 5 months of raining season from June to October and 6 months of dry spell from November to May each year. The region is culturally sensitive to the dress code, preferring largely formal and normal dress code as long as it does not expose the attractive and sensitive parts of the body. Alcohol is allowed in Kauda and surrounding villages under the control of SPLM-N but prohibited in government-controlled areas in the Two Areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Cost of livening is high due to several years of conflict and the deteriorating economic situation of the country in general. Kauda is a newly accessible area and there are very limited options for accommodation. A few of national NGOs and international NGOs provide accommodation for their staff but also for staff of UN agencies deployed in the area. The cost per night varies by organization. Local foods are available in the local market but there are no big shops or supermarkets in the area. Electricity is one of the biggest challenges in the region as there is no public electricity in the region. Organizations working in the area have their individual generators to power and run their facilities. Medical facilities are basic and insufficient as health centres are few and lack basic equipment and specialised drugs. No government or international banks operate in the area, hence staff in the area do not have access to banking facilities. You have to make your own arrangement to bring in sufficient cash to cover the period of your stay in the duty station till the next time you go out on leave days. Communication is also a challenge as there is no telephone companies operating in the region. Agencies rely mainly on satellite phones to communicate. Internet facilities are available in the offices of the different organization but not in public or commercial places. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy