The UN Coordination Support Office (UN-CSO) serves the UN Country Team (UNCT) and its sub-committees, including the UNCT/PMT and UNCT/OMT, in Sudan by leading, supporting and strengthening strategic, streamlined and forward–looking coordination of UN operational and programmatic level that advances high–level recovery and development results and promotes harmonization and efficiency of the UNCT interventions on the ground.

Under the daily supervision of the Head of RC Office, the Coordination Officer will provide support to the implementation of the UNDAF and support to the RC and UNCT.

The key results have an impact on the success of the UN Country Team activities. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design and implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for UNCT Programming including UNDAF implementation.

Under overall supervision and guidance of the Head of RC Office, the Coordination Officer will support the RC office in the operations of the office.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

Coordination

• Ensure preparation and implementation of the RC and UNCT Annual Work Plan.
• Preparation and drafting of the RC Annual Report.
• Support various interagency coordination mechanisms including the organization of UNCT meetings, with preparation of agenda, background documents and minutes; follow up on decisions and actions and act as secretariat for UNCT meetings.
• Provide inputs to the UNCSO weekly meetings and attend meetings.
• Identify and recommend to the RC proposals/actions for enhancing inter-agency cooperation and coordination.
• Facilitate interaction between UN visiting missions and UNCT through the promotion and organization of ad-hoc meetings and/or briefing/debriefing sessions.
• Provide technical support for UNCT Retreats to review the annual work plan and other UNCT meetings and workshops.
• Act as a focal point for non-resident Agencies (NRAs), ensuring that NRAs are timely informed on interagency processes and opportunities; coordinate for NRAs’ contributions to strategic documents and processes.
• Coordinate inter-agency planning and mapping exercises in cross-cutting areas (youth, gender, human rights, etc.) to feed into UNCT strategies, and organization of joint initiatives and events; develop tools and materials as appropriate.
• Provide support to high level visits through participation in the development of the agenda, scheduling of meetings at senior level, setting up of conference facilities and preparation of reports.
• Participate in and support the preparation, management of the CSO budget in relation to the CSO annual work plan.
• Provide support to the Operations Management Team (OMT) and the Programme Management Team (PMT) and ensure that issues are brought forward for the attention of the UNCT as needed.
• Provide direct support to the RC upon request.
• Coordinate and support Joint Programmes.

Support in monitoring the UNDAF implementation

• Effective support to UNCT in implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF and UN programmes.
• Support to follow up of the implementation of the Secretary-General’s reform program, particularly as it affects the UNCT in Sudan.
• Support the management of the implementation of UN common programming processes, including: work plan, UNDAF 2013-2016.

Information Management and Knowledge Networking

• Manage and coordinate weekly reports from field offices and produce a joint RCO weekly report.
• Manage and coordinate monthly reports/overview from field offices and produce a joint RCO monthly overview report.
• Ensure internal and external information distribution.
• Compile and manage mailing lists.
• Maintenance, update and manage information on the UN Sudan website.
• Maintenance of the systematic information on RC system activities through the use of a UN Sudan web based library.
• Arrangement of regular forums and events on issues related to UN activities.
• Identification of sources of information related to coordination.
• Provision of referral services for NRAs to access national institutions and processes and for national partners to access the expertise of NRAs.
• Organization of trainings to UN staff on coordination issues.
• Assist in the supervision and training of interns and UNVs assigned to the CSO.
• Contribute to UN external communication and outreach campaigns through coordination and monitoring of initiatives led by the RCO, including the implementation of a Social Media strategy and the upgrading of the UN Website.

Core Competencies:

Professionalism – Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of recovery, development and humanitarian issues; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to analyze and articulate complex issues that require a coordinated UN response; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgement in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines.

Commitment to Continuous Learning -- Willingness to keep abreast of new developments.

Communications – Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations to staff at senior levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style.

Planning & Organizing – Ability to coordinate the work of others, work on tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Technology Awareness – Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, Internet, etc.

Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in political or social science, international development, public administration, economics or in a technical or other relevant field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of international development/ humanitarian affairs. Employment record must include program management experience and support to policy analysis.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral skills in English and Arabic

Other Requirements:

• Knowledge of the UN Resident Coordinator System is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competency and integrity with people of different national backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with all colleagues.
• Experience in working with international NGOs or donors.
• Excellent drafting skills and presentation/facilitation skills in English.
• Dependability, reliability and initiative.
• Excellent written and oral skills in English and Arabic.