Project Associate

Sudan is a country in transition with diverse development issues and challenges requiring a comprehensive stabilization strategy, with each area requiring customized interventions for stabilization and development. While Sudan is experiencing progressive economic growth, it is also fraught with economic crisis coupled with the issues of youth unemployment, displaced populations, migrants, reintegration of formed fighters, and prevention of violent extremism.   Protracted and post-conflict displacements pose both humanitarian and development challenges. Resolving these requires a more coherent and effective course to stabilization approach that end dependency on humanitarian aid and advance human development.

While UNDP continues to work with various stakeholders including the government of Sudan, it places emphasis on addressing these issues under SDGs, National and Strategic Plans. Aligned with the Government’s development priorities, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), 2018-2021, and the multi-year humanitarian strategy, the Stabilization Programmes involve highly functional partnership models with line ministries, NGOs, UN agencies and the private. UNDP supports peace efforts to stabilize communities and strengthen social cohesion in at least 10 states. It will continue to support and advocate for dividends of peace, and promote civic engagement.

The objective of the stabilization of the Programme, which is funded by diverse donors and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the national stakeholders and other UN agencies (as appropriate) is to promote social and economic resilience of local communities, especially youth, women and displaced population, through improved access to livelihoods, education, business skills, as well to address gaps in business and professional employment skills of youth across various categories like unemployed, displaced, returnees, ex-combatants, migrants, people having potential to join violent extremism. In doing so, Programme aims to increase the space for reconciliation, confidence building, social cohesion, women empowerment and natural resource management.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Project Associate will assist the work mainly for the Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP), Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDP-N) project, and support the implementation of Partnering Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) project, Migration project, and Darfur Stabilization Project. In addition, he/she will undertake reporting, communications and outreach related tasks.

Under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of Project Coordinator, the incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:

1. Project implementation and management

• Assist programme colleagues with programming, implementation, and monitoring. This may entail getting involved in mapping, survey and assessment.
• Assist in developing an innovative approach, social media in promoting education and awareness on conflict resolution, peace building, prevention of violent extremism, natural resource management, gender-based violence, migration, etc.
• Assist with the contract management with implementing partners to ensure high quality services from IPs/NGOs.
• Provide admin/finance, procurement and logistical support to ensure the smooth implementation of projects.
• Participate in regular technical coordination committee meeting to review implementation.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluation of the performance of implementing partners.
• Provide technical support to government counterparts and organize for capacity building workshops to enhance performance quality.
• Travel to remote locations when requested by his/her supervisor.

2. Reporting

• Draft donor reports
• Prepare consolidated weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc narrative reports for donors including dissemination and filing 
• Prepare dispatches, case studies and other knowledge products to improve project visibility
• Assist with the maintenance, design, implementation, and improvement of standardized reporting tools and procedures and provide users with support and guidance for implementation
• Support the effective implementation of the resource mobilization and outreach strategy, in coordination with the Supervisor;
• Assist with the preparation of project proposals, briefing papers, concept notes, speeches, and press releases in coordination with the supervisor
• Draft stories and take pictures for inclusion in the website, donor reports, and or other electronic information materials.
• Facilitate trainings and workshops as deemed necessary.
• Provide support as may be required for specific aspects of project reporting and implementation
• Provide support and guidance to the Public Information unit
• Assist the Reporting/External Relations unit in donor outreach, donor information requests, and support secretariat functions for donor visits.
• Support the organization, facilitation and documentation of regular meetings with the donor community.

3. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results          

• Organization of trainings for the projects staff
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in project.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Communication 

• Good communication skill both in writing and oral including networking and interpersonal skills;
• Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients; 
• Proven ability to build strong relations with partners, clients for positive feedback;
• Ability to undertake and apply gender analysis to ensure gender equitable solutions

Partnership

• Build, coordinate and advise on strategic and programmatic partnership
• Facilitate the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.

Communication and Outreach

Advise on the development and management of the Facility’s communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise the Facility’s profile at the national and international levels.

Professionalism

• Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by the supervisors

Education:

• Secondary education.   Bachelor’s degree in business Administration, Social Sciences or any other related fields would desirable

Experience:

• Minimum (6) years with Secondary education, or (3) years with bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in providing management support in public health programs;
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Ability to travel within Sudan;
• Sound knowledge of the UNDP Programme and financial procedures will be an asset;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic.