Programme Associate

Background:

Sudan is the third largest country by land area in Africa and is geo-strategically important being located at the cross-roads of Sub-Saharan Africa, East Africa and the Middle East. It has long been a center of trade and commerce and link between neighbouring countries. The country has significant natural resource endowments, including vast arable lands, water, forests, minerals, and precious metals.

Sudan’s history has been marked by coups, political instability, and conflict, which is hindering socio-economic development gains.

• The last five years were marked by several rapid political changes. Despite the efforts to shield Sudan’s poor from the effects of the economic adjustments, Sudan’s economic crisis worsened over time, exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19.  In April 2023 the situation escalated further into open violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reactivating over time also prior fault lines in different parts of the country. With the state of the economy already precarious, exacerbated by social unrest, shortages of basic services and livelihood inputs, and freezing of foreign assistance, the military conflict risks pushing the country into a state of collapse.
• Fighting between the RSF and the SAF in various states as well as heavy clashes in Khartoum and other urban areas has led to significant displacement of millions of people, both internally and across the border into neighbouring countries. Approaching a year of conflict, almost all schools across the country remain closed.
• UN entities are working with international and national NGOs to address the immediate needs. Basic services across Sudan have been characterized by weak capacity for delivery, low levels of public expenditure, shortage of qualified personnel, and inadequate infrastructure; further strained by the conflict, including pressure by displaced populations.
• UNICEF is responding to the crisis by providing integrated Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, and Cash assistance. While much of the response is focused on humanitarian interventions UNICEF and other partners are also aiming to build on Sudan’s strong community-based organizations, and lessons learned from other projects, to provide sustainable community led basic services.

How can you make a difference? 

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Ensuring the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government & NGO’s proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
• Helping conduct regular spot checks of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
• Assist in monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs) and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to raising sales orders, release orders, travel authorization requests for non-staff, etc.
• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Supports capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.

Impact of Results

• S/He is accountable for the full spectrum of administrative and project/programme support activities. The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the country office and success in the implementation of project/programme activities. Accurate programme monitoring and recommendations, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper programme decision-making.

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

The following minimum requirements:

Recruitment Qualifications

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• Experience: A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required. However, three (3 years and an additional two (2) years of experience may be substituted for candidates holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree, respectively.
• Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/576343