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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, www.unicef.org/sudan

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 Kordofans, 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 post 

Under supervision of the ESS Specialist, S/he will be responsible to support the adequate implementation and monitoring of the relevant instruments related to the Risks and ESS Management component and tools.

Key Expected Results:

1. Support the elaboration of all relevant Risks and Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) management tools, including by ensuring compliance with the existing Environmental and Social Commitments Plans (ESCPs)
2. Contribute to the development of ESS instruments
3. Project Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting and Accountability
4. Capacity Building and Training of UNICEF staff and partners on ESS

• Support the elaboration of all relevant Risks and Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) management tools, including by ensuring compliance with the existing Environmental and Social Commitments Plans (ESCPs)
• Under the supervision of the ESS Specialist and in coordination with Operation and Programme unit, support the preparation of the needed Risks and Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) site-specific management tools, in line with the project-level one, by relying as much as possible on the existing instruments (e.g., technical assessments, screening checklists, community planning tools, etc.).
• Under the supervision of the ESS Specialist and in coordination with the Programme, Operations, and PME sections and IPM/HACT and supply colleagues, support the integration of relevant mitigation measures in the PCA/PD and Cover Letters with the Implementing Partners and in the contracts with the service providers, and support in the design, mapping of relevant capacity building needed.
• Under the supervision of the ESS Specialist and in coordination with the Programme, Operations, and PME sections, support the implementation of the reporting and monitoring of the relevant ESS standards and mitigation measures that are embedded in the existing monitoring mechanisms (e.g., TPM, FMM, etc.).
• Under the supervision of the ESS Specialist and in coordination with the AAP Manager and Complaints and Feedback Mechanism Officer, support the management of the Complaints and Feedbacks Mechanism: revise the protocols (categorization, timeframe, etc.), follow up on open grievances, provide quality assurance on the closure of the complaints, train the Call Center agents and UNICEF colleagues, work with SBC on the dissemination of the CFM information at community level, etc.
• Participate when needed into relevant programmes’ and operations’ meetings to ensure compliance with ESS.

• Support the development of any other additional necessary risk management instruments, guidance notes, monitoring tools, reporting templates, as per the office’s needs.

• Provide ESS technical support, guidance, advice to UNICEF’s team.
• Contribute to the revision, finalization and roll out of UNICEF global ESS Policy and Procedures.
• Share best practices and lessons learnt with UNICEF ESS Community of Practice.
• Project Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting, and Accountability
• Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure its compliance with ESS standards.
• Support the identified mitigation measures are implemented by UNICEF and their partners – both IPs and service providers.
• Support formulating a roll-out plan, developing supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support environmental and social safeguarding implementation.
• Contribute to lessons learned from previous projects, global regional and national best practices, and current UNICEF and WB principles guidelines and procedures to ensure environmental and social safeguarding tools for the project remain up to date.
• Conduct reporting/verification and monitoring activities to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to ESS and to constantly reassess the relevant risks.
• Report and address all safeguarding issues on the ground through the appropriate channels.
• Monitor UNICEF, partners’ (both IPs and service providers), and donors’ compliance with ESS.
• Ensure complaints and feedbacks received through the available mechanism are adequately addressed (especially when related to harm to the community or the environment).
• Ensure a prompt incident reporting and management according to the donors’ contractual requirement (for WB, ref. to ESCP).
• Participate as needed in the Programme Implementation Unit for relevant projects.
• Capacity Building and Training
• Provide support and direct technical assistance to develop environmental and social safeguarding strategies and plans.
• Support to develop and implement ESS capacity building activities for UNICEF staff and partners (both IPs and service providers) where applicable, including TPMs and CFM staffs, in coordination with respective leaders.
• Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluationReporting of all safeguards’ issues on the ground.
• Performs other relevant duties as required.

IV. Impact of Results:

The quality of work by the Programme Officer ESS directly impacts on the overall risk management of UNICEF. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make overall recommendations for improving practice. The Programme Officer ESS is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to help UNICEF deliver on its commitments, most importantly to the vulnerable children and communities it serves.

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

• A Bachelor university degree is required in one of the following fields: risk/project management, strategic planning, social studies, environmental/civil engineering or public health (with proven knowledge on social standards), or another relevant technical field.
• At least 2 years’ experience in risk informed programming and management, or programme management that include:
  • Experience in social and environmental sustainability and design, implementation and preferably monitoring of social and environmental impact assessments and management plans.
  • Experience in occupational health and safety, social behavioral change, community engagement, gender.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Experience in training and development of training materials is required.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing is required.
• Experience in report writing in English for UN and donor audiences is required.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is required, and in Sudan an asset

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Core Competencies

• 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)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds,  irrespective of gender, 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.