Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Volunteers |
| Description of assignment title | National Field Coordinator |
| Expected start date | 02/03/2022 |
| Location | Sudan |
| Volunteer category | National UN Volunteer Specialist |
| Host entity | UNOCHA |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Number of assignments | 1 |
| Duty stations | Nyala |
| Advertisement end date | 14/06/2022 |
Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the UN Secretariat department responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. OCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. OCHA Sudan addresses and facilitates issues relating to coordination, communications, and humanitarian financing, and serves the entire humanitarian community. In doing this, OCHA works with the Sudanese Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and other government counterparts. OCHA provides support to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Sudan. Working with the entire humanitarian community, OCHA looks to foster a conducive operating environment that facilitates the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance (both material assistance and protection assistance). Crucially, OCHA promotes compliance with humanitarian principles in the humanitarian response. This is an essential element of effective humanitarian coordination and is central to establishing and maintaining access to affected populations, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. The position of the Special Assistant to the Humanitarian Coordinator is hosted by OCHA and will require engagement with the Resident Coordinator’s Office and UNITAMs.
Context
• As an active OCHA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OCHA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including those mentioned in the task above outlined.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Sub Office in South Darfur or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer National Field Coordinator will:
• Coordination o Under the supervision of the Head of the Sub Office, coordinate the delivery of humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations; complete / lead rapid assessments; prepare situation reports; context analysis and situational awareness. o Establish partnerships with other humanitarian agencies in order to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programs; help ensure the latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc are incorporated into activities including gender and accountability to affected people. o Support and facilitate activities of the various coordination mechanisms such as the Area Inter Sector Coordination Group and the Area Humanitarian Coordination Team meetings. o Coordinate disaster response / preparedness; lead coordination of response efforts
• Information Management / Advocacy o Collect, monitors, and analyze information on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programs, or emergency situations in the assigned region; help develop and maintain a “watch list” or hot spot areas with potential for humanitarian crisis. o Assist in the establishment and maintenance of contacts with other humanitarian partners, relevant government counterparts etc in the assigned region. o Produce analytical reports on the humanitarian situation and assist in strengthening information networks to gather humanitarian data o Help establish, consolidate, and maintain a database of information on who is doing what where; assist in developing profiles for localities in the assigned region, hazard maps, contact list, etc o Support advocacy efforts concerning humanitarian issues based on analysis of the humanitarian situation. o Keep abreast of latest developments, help liaise with other humanitarian organizations, donors, government counterparts; assist in establishing appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provide information and advice on a range of issues. o Contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, eg. Draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, presentations (including power point) etc as required. o Organize, participate, and / or assist in organizing work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations, etc with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief related matters. o Perform other duties as required.
• Resource mobilization o Assist in the production of appeals, including those channeled through OCHA including SHF, CERF, ERF, etc; ensure proper use of funds. o Perform other duties as required 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
• Professional work experience at the national and/or international level in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency, relief management, or other areas preferably with experience with a UN organization or an NGO.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, reporting skills.
• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required. Candidates will be tested on their linguistic ability
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• 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.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license
• Sound security awareness;
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Area(s) of expertise
Crisis and emergency response, Community development
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Mother tongue, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Studies, Public Administration or other relevant science
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OCHA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OCHA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OCHA mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
This position is based in Nyala-South Darfur with specific focus on Ed Daein – East Darfur (Sudan), under direct supervision of the OCHA Head of Sub-Office in South Darfur. Sudan is a unique country and East Darfur is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
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
