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, safety

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.

How can you make a difference?

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. 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.

In 2022 UNICEF and WFP, with the support of German Cooperation embarked on a 4 year EUR 200m Joint Programme (JP) for social cohesion and resilience. Implemented in North, South and Central Darfur, the programme aimed to provide 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.

As set out in the programme document, the JP ‘entailed 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’ (JP programme document, December 2021).

The following key results were 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.

Since the outbreak of the most recent hostilities in April 2023, the JP has been adapted to the context and has continued to be implemented in partnership with WFP. This post will have a pivotal role to ensure synergies between delivering on the JP results with implementing UNICEF’s humanitarian response plan.

You will supervise two Programme Officers and required to provide overall management of the implementation at Darfur level. You  will be based in Port Sudan and will report to the Programme Manager.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

1. Technical leadership and guidance
2. Coordination with WFP
3. Partnerships
4. Representation
5. Programme management and implementation:
6. Monitoring, reporting and evaluation:
7. Communications, visibility and donor relations

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Programme Specialist (Social Cohesion and Resilience) NOC West Area Team, SUD24075.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• 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.

Work Experience: 

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in two or more of the following areas is required: humanitarian response, peace-building, nexus type programming or community empowerment.
• Previous experience and / or deep understanding about the UNICEF Sudan programming environment, in particular in Darfur an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people) for supervisory role

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as 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:

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates).

Candidates are kindly requested to identify the duty station they are applying for in the cover letter.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at
http://www.whed.net/

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.