Project Summary:

The BIPS program is a three-year project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It is designed to exemplify the people-to-people approach by creating a safe space for diverse communities to build mutual understanding, trust, empathy, and resilient social ties by addressing divisions rooted in group differences such as ethnicity, religion, status, gender, or political affiliation in Sudan.

Position Summary:  

The Program Development Officer (PDO) in Blue Nile will lead communications with local partners and work closely with members of the Building Inclusive Peace in Sudan (BIPS) team to oversee activity design and implementation.

• Identify potential assistance recipients, and work with them to design and develop grant concepts and activities, through networking and outreach, under the overall direction of the Senior Program Manager.
• Consistently develop strategically relevant concepts that respond to the current political situation and established program goals and objectives. 
• Demonstrate a high level of understanding of prior implementation challenges and actively incorporate lessons learned into the design of new activities. Proactively share lessons learned across the program and contribute to the development of new tools and knowledge that can be integrated into program’s M&E function.
• Actively participate in the problem solving and troubleshooting throughout the grant cycle to assure implementation remains within the spirit of the original design concept.
•  Provide technical assistance to grantees and potential grantees as required, throughout the activity cycle, in coordination with other staff.
• Closely analyze the Sudan’s rapidly changing environment on an ongoing basis, and contribute to rolling assessments, strategic review sessions, and recurring meetings, under the overall direction of the country representative.
• Work closely with M&E & Communications Specialist to coordinate monitoring of the activities under implementation to ensure that they meet activity and program objectives and produce regular site visit reports.
• Coordinate with Senior Program Manager to provide sufficient written information for all relevant contract documents as possible.
• Travel to project’s areas of operation as directed.
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Education & Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
• At least 3years of professional work experience in a similar program or field required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Fluent written and spoken English and Arabic are required.
• Strong organizational, management and administrative skills, preferably with respect to report writing and monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and understanding of local and regional context and social conditions in Sudan and the surrounding region, with the ability to think creatively in conceptualizing relevant grant activities.
• Proven knowledge of local and international organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations and community-based organizations implementing relevant activities and programs in Sudan, as well as key governmental actors and stakeholders.
• Experience in working with local organizations on project design, assessing technical and programmatic capacities; implementation of activities preferred.
• Experience and/or good understanding of donor organizations.
• Ability to effectively use computer software and MS Office applications. 
• Ability/willingness to travel throughout Sudan.
• Position open to Sudanese nationals only.