UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a fulltime position within Protection Unit in Kosti, Sudan Sub-Office.

On 27 April 2016, the General Assembly and the Security Council adopted substantively identical resolutions on peacebuilding (A/RES/70/262 and S/RES/2282 (2016), respectively), concluding the 2015 review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture. These resolutions are the most comprehensive and far-reaching resolutions on this issue. This ground breaking achievement outlines a new ambitious agenda and approach for peacebuilding. Member States demonstrated their commitment to strengthening the United Nations’ ability to prevent the “outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of [violent] conflict,” address the root causes and assist parties to conflict to end hostilities in order to ”save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” as stated in the opening sentence of the UN Charter.

UNHCR has also made significant progress in recent years in promoting youth engagement and empowerment in line with the UN Executive Committee Conclusion on Youth (No. 113), the UN Youth Strategy 2030, as well as UNSCR 2250 and UNSCR 2419. Concretely, UNHCR’s commitment to programming with and for youth has been articulated in the seven “Core Actions for Refugee Youth”. Core Action 6 speaks directly to the need to “[r]einforce Refugee Youth in their role as connectors and peacebuilders.

UNHCR is thus developing a peacebuilding programme for youth in order to increase the capacity of young refugees to contribute to peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups and become agents of positive change in countries of asylum and upon return. On one hand, refugee youth constitute a disempowered population with limited room for engaging in processes and debates which affect them and their future. On the other hand, they also represent a major demographic force and a large potential cohort of changemakers and contributors to society, culture and politics, both in exile and in their countries of origin.

Notwithstanding the importance of embedding peacebuilding values and skills in young people through training; research and practice in peacebuilding and youth leadership development has shown that training alone does not lead to lasting change. Young people need to be provided with opportunities to practice acquired knowledge and skills. Maybe more importantly, they need to have access to a range of complementary opportunities and skills, which allow them to fulfil education, career and other aspirations, to become effective agents of change.

UNHCR is looking for a coordinator who will manage the engagement, training and skills building programmes for youth in the White Nile State, particularly focussing on Refugee youth from South Sudan.  This position requires a high level of engagement with refugee youth who are in and out of school, in order to co-design and create a programme that will target and meet their needs.

UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

• Coordinate mapping of ongoing peacebuilding and youth activities (incl. TVET, education, Child Protection, Community Based Protection, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Network) and assessment of gaps with support of Regional Bureau
• Act as main counterpart for Peacebuilding Programme at field level for UNHCR Sudan operation, Regional Bureau Peacebuilding team, and consultants
• Ensure coordination of Peacebuilding Programme with other activities for youth at field level, identify synergies and potential partnerships with other actors on the ground
• Assist in the recruitment and supervision of the day-to-day activities of  Mentor Trainers (MTs) responsible for peacebuilding training, including monitoring work plans and performance
• Coordinate recruitment of refugee youth peacebuilder trainees with the MTs, including leading efforts to include and incorporate out-of-school, non-elite female and male youth
• Conduct field research – with refugee youth in school, refugee youth not in school, school personnel, parents and elders, and UNHCR, host government and NGO partner officials – about conflict and how to build peace
• Facilitate assessment and evaluation work, including longitudinal study conducted by partner institution
• Oversee the Youth Peacebuilding Project fund and activities (youth-led projects)
• Liaise with UNICEF, ILO on Prospects/Opportunity Fund activities, if any
• Liaise with refugee and host community leaders
• Serve as an advocate for the programme, both internally with UNHCR and externally
• Adapt peacebuilding programs to the specific context and population
• Identify core advocacy concerns for peacebuilding through a consultative process: develop initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
• Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Education:

• University degree in a relevant social science related to youth, refugees, gender, peacebuilding, reconciliation, mediation, conflict resolution, community cohesion/social inclusion, mental health and psycho-social programming, education or related fields, or substantive work experience in this area.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of previous job experience relevant to the function (with UN or NGO).  In addition to the qualifications and requirements stated above, the incumbent is expected to be flexible and ready to adapt to eventual new tasks as the situation evolves, great autonomy, dynamism and creativity; good sense of responsibility and initiative.

Professionalism:

• Experience in conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, conflict-sensitive programming or similar
• Experience in program management, facilitation, supervision of staff.
• Experience managing budgets and funds, financial reports
• Experience managing delicate relationships both with those having power and those who do not;
• Experience working with governments, UN or NGOs in refugee or conflict contexts, ideally in peacebuilding, social cohesion and/or reconciliation programming.
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Arabic is required "Command of local languages is an asset"
• Reliability and independence, and the ability to work in challenging field conditions, is necessary.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills required; diplomatic skills are an asset.

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Candidate Assessments may include a written examination followed by a Competency Based Interview.