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Darfur Regional Coordinator

El Fasher

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: El Fasher
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Other
    • UN Coordination
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Sudan is facing a number of shocks, complex socio-economic and political crises and complex transitional challenges that threaten the lives and livelihoods of the population. A combination of political and economic crisis, conflict, natural disasters have left millions of people vulnerable, at risk of food insecurity, malnutrition, disease, morbidity and therefore relying on humanitarian assistance for survival. The Darfur region is among the hardest hit by conflict in Sudan. After fifteen years of protracted conflict in Darfur, over 1.8 million IDPs still remain stranded in camps, relying hugely on humanitarian aid whilst some thousands are returning to devasted communities with no hope of a future on sight. Institutional capacities for sustainable service delivery and the maintenance of peace and rule of law remain weak at the sub-national level.

UNDP’s interventions in Darfur addresses a range of crisis and development challenges facing the population in the region.  Much has been achieved in strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights at institutional and community level, improving livelihood opportunities for IDPs and returnees, linking communities with local government, and furthering stabilization and peace through reconciliation and confidence building.  Based on the improvement in the security conditions in Darfur, the significant decrease in inter-communal conflicts, and the announcement of the unilateral cessation of hostilities; the Security Council, directed UNAMID to draw down, with a potential exit in June 2020. The Council also endorsed a whole-of-UN transition concept proposed by the Secretary General which aims to focus the UN system’s work on providing sustainable solutions to the critical drivers of conflict, within a 2-year timeframe ending in June 2020. This is envisaged through four substantive areas identified as critical to preventing relapse (rule of law, human rights, durable solutions / livelihoods and immediate service delivery) and enabling the Government, the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes (AFPs), civil society partners and the international actors to fill the gap during the transition and beyond the Mission’s exit.

To realize the above results, the UN AFPs have worked together to define the structure and composition of the State Liaison Function (SLF) in Darfur, a mechanism to foster the collaboration of UNAMID and AFPs towards the implementation of the transition concept, and the priorities identified in the Special Report. Currently, there is a request for full PBF eligibility following the UNAMID strategic review mission of April 2019, which suggested the engagement of the PBF in Darfur as a crucial enabler for the UNAMID transition. The rationale behind this request is to promote stabilization and peace consolidation in Darfur with proposed interventions aiming to tackle the root causes of conflict by working on the findings of conflict drivers. The Darfur Development Strategy is a comprehensive medium to long-term Strategy that provides the framework for an ambitious recovery, rehabilitation and Development programme for the Darfur Region. During the pilot phase (2016 – 2018) funded principally by the State of Qatar, several important interventions were initiated that aim to spur economic recovery and sustainable development in the region. These initiatives were implemented under three pillars that encompassed governance, justice and reconciliation, reconstruction efforts and economic recovery. The strategy brought together several UN agencies in a coordinated and synchronized manner, under the umbrella of the Foundational and Short Term (FaST) activities where 12 pilot projects were implemented. UNDP led the coordination, management and implementation of seven of the twelve FaST projects and the overall Darfur Recovery and Development Coordination Mechanism. The Darfur Development Strategy is also now being refreshed to assist the international community with a better understanding of the context in Darfur and potential areas of intervention.

During April 2019, Sudan saw a political change after months of demonstrations and civil disobedience. A new transitional government is now in place. Given the current and evolving transition in most parts of Sudan including the transitional governance arrangements at the Federal level, there is critical need for UNDP to ensure stronger positioning, visibility and engagement on the transitional discussions within in the region, requiring senior level presence. The Darfur Regional Coordinator will be the principal UNDP staff in charge of Area-based programming and coordinating the UNDP teams in Darfur, enhance coordination between Khartoum and Darfur field offices, and all functions and operations of UNDP’s field office in the 5 States of Darfur. He/she will oversee planning, ensure coordination, representation and implementation of programmes in Darfur; promote communication flows, foster partnership building with the government, UNCT and donor liaison. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative, the Darfur Regional Coordinator sets the strategic direction at the local level and provides oversight for all UNDP Programming in Darfur with its diverse components in the region. He/she advises senior management on development and implementation of the programmes, ensuring cost effectiveness, synergy between different projects and appropriate responses to emerging complex challenges in implementation of interventions.

He/she provides overall guidance to staff working in the different geographic areas of responsibility ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination with different stakeholders. He/she works closely with internal and external counterparts, including government counterparts, development actors, NGOs, civil society, private sector etc., to successfully deliver UNDP Programmes. He/she ensures a client-oriented approach and consistency with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

  • Field Office Management
  • Representation and External Coordination
  • Support to Programme Development, Strategic Analysis, Planning and Advice
  • Programme/project coordination

1. Ensures effective Field Office Management focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Oversees the day-to-day operational and administrative issues, including effective management and supervision of staff, finance and administrative matters in accordance with relevant UNDP rules and procedures.
  • Is responsible and accountable for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the Area Field Office and Project Offices.
  • Works closely with the Project Managers to ensure coordination of the portfolio of projects in the geographic area.
  • Supervises Operations staff in field offices and senior programme staff in the Darfur region
  • Promotes teamwork, collaboration and synergies within his/her area, among the project teams in his/her area, and with the programme units at the Country Office level.
  • Ensures timely and regular reporting by all program and project portfolios in the region.
  • Is responsible, as Security Focal Point in the Field Office and working closely with the Country Office, for the protection of personnel and property of UNDP through the establishment and maintenance of contingency plans and procedures for medical and other emergencies
  • Works closely with DRR (O) on all operational issues related to the field office
  • Conduct regular staff meetings and provide support for resolving critical operational issues.

2. Representation and Coordination:

  • Represents UNDP in Darfur states, and in various fora as requested by the Resident Representative.
  • Establish strong partnership with UN Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and national authorities through the establishment of a wider consultation process and appropriate fora to enhance coordination between humanitarian and transition-to-development partners, thus strengthening the links between relief, early recovery and development activities.
  • Ensures proper coordination and inputs to the UN Work Planning process and the CCA/UNDAF.
  • Maintains regular contact with projects and programme counterparts in his/her geographic area.
  • Advocates for adherence to UNDP recovery and development principles with a view to enhance community recovery, reintegration of displaced communities, good governance and human security.
  • Provides support to overall resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office in close collaboration with the Programme Units at the CO level.
  • Represent the RR during donor visits to the region
  • Manage strategic communication on UNDP positioning in the region.

3. Programme Development, Strategic Analysis, Planning and Advice:

  • Supports the relevant programme units at the Country Office level, for the strategic direction of programmatic activities in Darfur.
  • Advises the Resident Representative/DRR (P), national counterparts and other aid partners on policies, opportunities and strategies to adequately respond to transitional recovery and development challenges and needs.
  • Supports the relevant programme units in identification and promotion of joint programming and planning opportunities.
  • Coordinates with the Local Government, UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners
  • Recommends and participates in joint needs assessments and surveys and facilitates the collection and verification of available data to ensure the availability of consolidated information for planning purposes.
  • Based on monitoring and evaluation of the recovery and development situation, recommends programmatic responses to the deficits in these areas.
  • Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.

4. Programme/project coordination:

  • Coordinates the implementation of the UNDP strategy for Darfur and based on continuous monitoring and analysis of the most critical recovery and development needs, response capacities, access situation, operational environment and applicable security issues.
  • Under direct supervision of the Resident Representative with close working relationship of DRR (P) and DRR (O), coordinates the UNDP projects to ensure complementarity, synergy and teamwork in Darfur;
  • Ensures that UNDP engages strategically with all partners and development actors in the region and contributes to resource mobilization efforts through partnerships;
  • Ensures the integrity of financial systems, and the consistent application of the Internal Control Framework and/or rules and regulations in the Area Field Office and Field Offices in Darfur
  • Performs any other related task assigned by the supervisor.

IV. Results Expected:

  • Effective strategic guidance and operational management of UNDP field-presence in Darfur.
  • Play a lead role in identifying significant issues and problems to be addressed.
  • Effective coordination to ensure delivery on major Programme portfolio and timely delivery of outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies of the UNDP Country Office.
  • Develop initiatives, in support of and in agreement with the relevant Programme units, which lead to well-reasoned, innovative programmers.
  • Form strong partnerships to help meet organizational objectives and coordination of recovery and development activities.
  • Stronger synergy and teamwork among UNDP Programmes and projects in the region.

Competencies

Core:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work: Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office / programme / division.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow: Ensures teams are resourced for success  and empowered to deliver.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction: Guides substantive specialists / teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform: Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen.

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement: Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services.

Technical/Functional:

Coordination provider-recipient

Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding relationships and strategic engagement: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Strategic Planning

Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Management and Leadership

Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree) in Political or Social Science, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, or any other relevant field.

Experience:

  • 10 years of progressively relevant work experience, at least 7 of which are in recovery and development affairs, crisis response and prevention, recovery and development;
  • Experience in building and maintaining relationships with government institutions and other partners, civil society, private sector and UN agencies in sensitive political environments;
  • Experience working in humanitarian, Post conflict and development contexts;
  • Proven experience in managing large teams in multi-cultural settings in geographically diverse regions will be an asset;
  • Experience in Sudan or Horn of Africa, or Arab Region is an asset;
  • Operations experience (finance, procurement) will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent command of English both written and Oral;
  • Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Disclaimer

This vacancy is now closed.
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