UNDP Sudan Country Programme works in partnership with the Government of Sudan, Civil Society and the Private Sector to address development challenges facing the country towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

After a decade of conflict in the Darfur region, peace and security is now being restored and the need for recovery and development interventions have become critical - to restore basic services, rule of law, consolidate fragile peace and to provide economic opportunities for the affected population in a way that prevents relapse into conflict. One of the impacts of the conflict has been a massive and protracted displacement of populations, most of who remain in IDP camps across the region, relying perpetually on humanitarian aid for survival. Over the last few years, both the Government of Sudan and the International community have unanimously agreed that there is need to transition into more recovery and development support; by building capacities of the populations to be self-reliant and resilient.

Project Description:

In 2011, UNDP launched the Darfur Livelihoods and Recovery Programme (DLRP) as an early recovery portfolio involving four interconnected project components: Youth Empowerment, Pro-Poor Value Chain Integration, Community reconciliation for Coexistence and social cohesion and Promotion of Sustainable Return and Reintegration of Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Programme aims at building the resilience and self-reliance of conflict-affected communities and vulnerable populations (including IDPs, Returnees, Women, the Youth and host community members) by restoring livelihood opportunities and enhancing peaceful coexistence.

In 2019, UNDP designed an enhanced Pro-poor Value Chain Component - The Strengthening Livelihoods for Peace and Recovery in Darfur Project (L4P). The L4P focuses on improving livelihood and local economic recovery as key driver for peace and social cohesion in the conflict-affected communities in Darfur. It is an evidence-based project developed based on a tried and tested model; drawing on lessons learned from the previous phase.

Using a pro-poor value chain and market-based approach, the project will provide opportunities for IDPs, returnees and host communities thereby reducing their vulnerabilities and the need for humanitarian aid. The integrated project will restore productive capacities by enhancing access to productive assets and markets, enhance peaceful and collaborative access to natural resources whilst strengthening institutional capacities to lead and sustain recovery and development in Darfur.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the Livelihoods Officer(s) will support the day-to-day results-based implementation of the L4P project as well as provide technical support to the other components in the targeted states. She/he will lead and work closely with the Livelihoods team, the Operations team and liaise with other UNDP project teams in the respective states.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Programme Planning and Coordination;
• Programme Implementation;
• Programme Monitoring and Reporting;
• Resource Mobilization Support.

1- Programme Planning and Coordination focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide support to the Programme Manager in developing Annual Work Plans in line with UNDP standards and formats;
• In collaboration with the Finance officer, ensure the Annual Workplans are entered in Atlas;
• Develop detailed implementation plans in collaboration with all field teams ensuring all activities are planned with clear demarcation of responsibilities, clear timelines and clarity of budget allocation;
• Work with field teams in developing concept notes for project cash advances;
• Work with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer and the field team to develop task sharing framework and mechanism for task tracking across all states;
• Attend sectoral and inter-agency coordination meetings.

2- Programme Implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Contribute to the selection of appropriate implementing partners (NGOs, Private Sectors etc.);
• Contribute in the development of Partner Agreements (Low Value Grants, Responsible Party Agreements).
• Participate in the development of activity plans with budgets in line with the Project Documents and Annual Workplans;
• Support the application of activity advances for the field teams;
• Follow-up on implementation status of all advances;
• In collaboration with the finance officer, ensure all advances are liquidated on time and all documentation made available and well stored and maintained;
• Liaise with relevant teams in the planning and procurement of project materials, goods and services;
• Establish and nurture sound relationships with Implementing partners, Private Sector Parties, Government counterparts and other UN agencies.

3- Programme Monitoring and Reporting focusing on achievement of the following results:

• In collaboration with the M&E officer, conduct field missions, assessments, surveys and analysis pertaining to activity implementation and new business development;
• Review reporting formats for internal teams as well as implementing partners ensuring they are flexible as well as rigorous in capturing results effectively;
• In collaboration with the M&E officer and the field teams, draft and review project reports;
• Draft success stories with high resolution photos for UNDP website and social media;
• Identify and document lessons learned to support programme improvement and feed into UNDP’s recovery, livelihoods and durable solutions policies and programming locally and globally;
• Establish project level coordination mechanisms (STCCs) and ensure meetings are held on regular basis;
• Organize joint field visits with Government counterparts and Implementing partners to project sites.

4- Resource Mobilization Support focusing on achievement of the following results:

• In collaboration with the Programme Manager, support in identifying funding sources;
• Contribute in drafting Concept Notes and full Project Proposals/ Project Documents;
• Support in drafting position papers.

Core:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction: Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis.

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.

Functional Competencies:

Project Management:

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Partnerships:

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Resource Mobilization:

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency): Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Results-based Management:

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Job Creation and Livelihoods:

Knowledge of Employment Creation, Income Generation, emergency employment and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Economic Recovery:

Knowledge of Economic Recovery concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Agriculture, Sociology, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, International Development or any other related field.

Experience:

• 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience with focus in project development and implementation;
• Strong experience in livelihoods and economic recovery programming particularly in value chain, employment creation and market-based approaches.
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with the private sector, government institutions, civil society and UN agencies in sensitive political environments;
• Practical skills in conducting livelihoods assessments, value chain and market studies/analysis and drafting technical documents including concept notes, project proposals and project documents;
• Experience in resource mobilization, sectoral and inter-agency coordination and accountability, and working with teams in multi-cultural settings;
• Prior experience working in Sudan or similar Conflict and Post-conflict operational contexts;
• Working knowledge of Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus will be an asset;
• Prior experience working with UNDP and understanding of UNDP programme and Financial Management System will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in both oral and written English. Working knowledge of Arabic language desirable.

• UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension