In all assignments, UN volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

UN Volunteers are fully involved in all aspects of UNHCR Protection and Program activities in Khartoum. Through their endeavors UN Volunteers contribute to a better understanding of the complex situation of refugees in Khartoum and to on-going programs to assist persons of concern.

Host Agency/Host Institute:    The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

Organizational Context:      

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. In more than five decades, the agency has helped people restart their lives. Today, a staff of around 6,650 people in more than 110 countries continues to help 34.4 million people.

The NUNV Senior Programme Assistant, working under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, will work in the programme unit in support of  Pillar I Khartoum (Refugees and Asylum seekers) and will undertake the following functions:

• Provide inputs for developing the country operations plan for overall compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
• Assist in organizing and documenting a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization’s criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
• Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
• Assist in negotiating agreements with implementing partners and ensure that IP agreements are established in conformity with UNHCR’s financial rules and the latest Headquarters’ instructions.
• Assist in the design and preparation of detailed operations plan according to UNHCR standards and draft relevant agreement to be concluded with IPs.
• Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze programme performance, trends and target interventions.
• Review the implementation and performance of IPs agreements through appropriate physical monitoring to evaluate the projects by reviewing work plans, progress reports, budget, financial reports and expenditures; undertake field visits.
• To ensure quality programmes, use UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level.
• Assist in keeping donor representatives briefed on developments and assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals and reports.
• Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization’s resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
• Assist in ensuring compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners.
• Perform other duties as required.

Furthermore, UN volunteers are encouraged to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

a) Qualifications, skills, experience

• Completion of University education or equivalent technical or commercial school.
• Minimum 2 years of previous job experience relevant to the function;
• Computer skills (MS office, particularly proficiency in Excel is essential, and People soft applications).
• Fluency in Arabic and English; knowledge of other UN language will be an asset.
• Knowledge of relevant UNHCR policies and guidelines is desirable; including knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, knowledge of the mandate, the objectives and the operations and functioning of UNHCR;
• Prior exposure to UNHCR refugee operations and functions relating to field office administration and programme activities is desirable.

b) Competencies and values:

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Contracts are issued for one year at a time (renewable depending on operational necessity and satisfactory performance). Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) – intended to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost-of-living expenses – equivalent to USD 638 Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as periodic home leave, final repatriation, return airfares (if applicable) and resettlement allowance. A copy of the National UNV Conditions of Service will be provided to the successful candidate together with the offer of assignment.