UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, dedication.

II. Job organizational context and purpose for the job

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.

Job organizational context and purpose for 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. 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.

UNICEF Joint Programme (JP) manager for the multi-year (2022-206) JP that is funded by the Government of Germany is required to provide strategic guidance and management support to its successful implementation.

The programme manager is based in the West Area (duty station temporarily in Port Sudan, with expectation for this to move to Zalengie, Central Darfur), and report to the Chief of Field Office for West Area (P5).

To support efficient and effective coordination, UNICEF and WFP has an established Project Management Unit. The programme manager will seat in the PMU.

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How can you make a difference? 

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III. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Coordination with WFP: Lead overall day to day JP coordination with WFP including facilitation of JP PMU (in coordination with West Area CFO and senior management team)
2. 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,
3. 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
4. Human Resources: Support CFOs in timely and effective management of staff including recruitment processes as required
5. Partnerships: Support CFO’s in the oversight of partnership development, amendments and overall PD management
6. Representation: Represent UNICEF in the JP PMU as well as with key Darfur-wide networks and initiatives including government and UN related
7. Communications, visibility and donor relations: Lead and support JP visibility, communication as well as donor visits
8. 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.

IV. Impact of Results

The quality of work by the Programme Manager directly impacts on the overall reputation of UNICEF. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for improving practice. The Manager 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.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Programme Manager P-4 West.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

VII. Recruitment Qualifications

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.

Experience: 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

Language Requirements:Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset

VI. Skills

• Results-based-management
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage large multi-sector programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse and multi-cultural teams
• Skill in the training and capacity building.
• Demonstrated ability in donor reporting
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.
• Ability to conduct sound policy analysis.
• Ability to multi-task and deliver against workplan and deadlines

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

 V. UNICEF values and competency Required (based on the updated Framework)

i) Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

ii) ) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• 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)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures, Leads and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.

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:

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 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 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.