UNDP Jobs - 82849- National Programme Coordinator

National Programme Coordinator

Location :

Elfashir, SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

27-Jan-2019

Application Deadline :

20-Jan-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 Working Days

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 Working Days

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. 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.

Background

Background and Project Description

After more than a decade, conflict has subsided in Darfur since mid-2015. Nonetheless, roughly 2 million persons still remain displaced: 1.6 million are registered in approximately 66 camps, while UN humanitarian agencies estimate that an additional 500,000 displaced persons live in some 108 host communities and settlements across Darfur. Moreover, non-displaced persons living in their areas of origin, or in areas where IDPs reside, face similar challenges to those experienced by the displaced.

The gradual improvement of the security situation since mid-2016 has encouraged the Government of Sudan (GoS) to promote durable solutions for IDPs in camps in the urban and peri-urban locations of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur State, as well as for the communities that host them. The IDPs, themselves consulted in the course of a 2018 profiling exercise, are also hopeful of achieving sustainable solutions to their protracted displacement.

Most of the interventions in the El Fasher IDP camps have focused on repeated short–to medium term humanitarian relief to displaced populations. This protracted relief aid has however not led to any substantive change in their situation and that of their host communities in the 15 years since the start of the conflict, nor has it enabled them and the government to take more meaningful ownership and responsibility in finding long-term solutions towards ending their displacement. Durable solutions for displacement affected communities (DACs), such as addressing housing, land and property issues and ensuring sustainable access to basic services and livelihood opportunities, are considered key to preventing a relapse into conflict and attaining durable peace in Darfur.

Durable solutions mean gradually working towards ending the situation of displacement for IDPs and returnees. This is considered to be achieved when IDPs and returnees no longer have any specific assistance and protection needs that are linked to their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without being discriminated as IDPs. Working towards durable solutions should therefore have the ultimate goal of diminishing or ending the needs and vulnerabilities of displacement affected communities while strengthening their capacities, skills, and increasing their resilience so that they are able to enjoy their lives like other persons who have not been displaced. The concept of durable solutions is in line with efforts of the GoS to move away from the provision of humanitarian assistance to more long-term and sustainable programmes.

Emerging analysis from the profiling exercise reveals that IDPs share urban development challenges rather than displacement related challenges in the ELF camps and communities. Location is also a factor: the further away IDPs and displacement-affected communities (DAC) live from the centre of the town, the poorer they are and the less access they have to the city’s services. The profiling revealed additional challenges to durable solutions that all stakeholders will need to consider in order to address them in a conflict-sensitive manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective and Scope of Work

To act as a bridge between the DSWG and the displacement affected communities in El Fasher, undertaking consultations with them and assisting them to draw up Plans of Action (PoA) for the durable solutions they identify. The residents of two IDP camps and host communities in El Fasher will act as pilots to design the PoAs and will be the first in North Darfur to implement them. Drawing on lessons learned of these communities, others m

Coordination Structures

State and local authorities are responsible for setting a conducive environment for durable solutions, ensuring safety and security in displacement affected communities (DAC) and gradually improving the provision of state services, such as housing, education, health etc. in DAC. These authorities will be responsible for the overall implementation of the community plans of action through a Steering Committee at locality level; the communities themselves would bear the responsibility and accountability for operational and technical decisions through a community-based Technical Committee to be established at community level. The international community and partners stand ready to complement efforts of the community, local, state and national authorities, especially with initial capacity building to establish functional committees.

The Programme Coordinator is expected to work closely with the state and local authorities, the IDPs and displacement affected communities, the international community in El Fasher, the Displacement and Solutions Strategic Adviser (DSSA) and the Profiling Coordinator in Khartoum as well as with other actors involved in displacement and solutions. The work entails keeping everyone informed regarding developments, initiatives, activities and challenges relating to solutions, mainly through the area-based DSWG.

Work with the communities and local authorities in the target areas to plan and implement agreed projects.

Engage with the North Darfur government officials, the El Fasher DSWG and other actors in the area to ensure all are aware of the DS process and the specific approach developed in El Fasher. Ensure that everyone is on the same page with respect to project goals, areas and communities of engagement and the Durable Solutions Framework;
Identify through the DSWG, a small group of agencies that would be willing to form a local Task Team (TT) that would act as support to the Programme Coordinator on matters that need further discussion and decision-taking;
Work with the DSWG members, the Profiling Coordinator and other coordination bodies to map activities in the target areas already being undertaken or planned – government, UN, agencies etc. – that contribute towards durable solutions;
Work with the targeted communities, assisted by the Profiling Coordinator, to undertake community consultations to support the design and implementation modalities for the activities/projects they have identified as supporting their durable solutions choices; this will entail coordinating with existing actors in the area and identifying funding;
Establish (or support existing) community Technical Committees to act as the interface between the community members and other stakeholders;
Check that the projects proposed by the communities do not overlap with already ongoing projects in the area, according to the mapping exercise above;
Sensitize the communities about any ongoing projects they may not know about (information-sharing). Identify any projects/activities they are not informed about and may have reservations about, and why. Work to seek community endorsement of any such projects/activities through joint consultations;
Identify gaps in the Plans of Action and identify/develop possible project activities that could address these;
Ensure projects conform to a set of parameters that attest to their viability; discuss with ELF TT to identify solutions to problems arising;
Identify community needs for strengthening their capacities, knowledge and skills, and help them increase their resilience; propose specific capacity-building/training activities towards achieving these ends;
Interact with, and report regularly to the DSSA, discuss constraints and propose possible solutions;
Lead, supervise and report on the implementation of the projects and monitor them for progress towards the achievement of durable solutions;
In coordination with the DSSA, the Profiling Coordinator, the ELF TT and other stakeholders, design a proposal for a potential future phase of durable solutions, beyond March 2018, drawing on lessons
learned from the current phase.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Ability to work with a multi-cultural and diverse team.
Functional Competencies:
Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently but also to liaise effectively with project stakeholders at different levels.
Proactively initiate discussions about socio-economic issues and impacts of economic and political situations on poverty.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s degree in social sciences or similar.
Demonstration of minimum 10 years’ experience in working with communities and implementing community projects.
Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting training activities.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate written and oral communications.
Good knowledge of computer software (MS Office)
Native or long-time resident of El Fasher
Languages: English and Arabic. Desirable: local (North Darfur) language/s
Desirable: Understanding of internal displacement and experience working with displaced communities.