Mission and objectivesUNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. In Sudan, UNDP supports a broad range of development interventions. At present, this focuses on support for Sudanโs transition, coupled with efforts on peacebuilding and stabilization, climate-resilience and access to energy, and broader health and economic improvement. Learn more about our impact in 2019. With dedicated support from donor nations, the international community, and national and international partners, UNDP works in Sudan to deliver on our promise to empower resilient nations. Serving as the main development integrator in Sudan, UNDP supports SDG-focused strategic capacity development initiatives nationwide, focusing on: inclusive socioeconomic transformation and revival; restoring governance through inclusive and accountable institutions; sustaining and consolidating local peacebuilding; and investing in a new Green Deal through renewable energy and climate resilience efforts. Through our active partnerships with national and international entities, UNDP strives to eliminate poverty, enable recovery, and ensure effective management of natural resources, and advance peace and social cohesion. Achieving this will require investment in stabilization and resilience strengthening at all levels of society, in tandem with humanitarian assistance. For more details of UNDP work in Sudan please visit https://www.sd.undp.org/.
ContextThe United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has advanced over 42 years, expanding its mandate to mobilize volunteers for peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development. With a unique global role to promote volunteerism, UNV enables individuals to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 17, fostering collective action across all goals. As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is centred around six core development areas, known as our signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality. This position is established in partnership with UNDP. The volunteer will dedicate 50% of their time to supporting UNDP and 50% to UNV. The role involves supporting communications on the work and mandate of UNDP, strengthening volunteer mobilization, advocating for civic engagement, and advancing sustainable development practices in alignment with national and global goals. Since 1996, the UNV Field Unit in Sudan has worked with UN agencies and partners to integrate volunteers into national efforts, enabling impactful development initiatives and fostering pathways for volunteers to grow into substantive roles. Volunteerism remains central to addressing global challenges and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Head of Communication Unit, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) the Communication Specialist will: โข Design and develop communication tools and materials to effectively promote the mandate of UNDP โข Support the work of the UNDP Sudan communications team, including the research and creation of stories and communications materials, media liaison, communications field trips, content for the website and other online platforms, video and photo editing, communications planning and event management, as well as procurement and other logistics for communications activities. โข Produce engaging communication materials, including visuals such as flyers, leaflets, newsletters, short videos, photos, impact stories, infographics, and testimonials that highlight the contributions and achievements of UNDP โข Ensure updated documentation and communication on UNDP activities and contributions are available, accessible, and widely disseminated โข Draft high-quality materials for presentations, press releases, speeches, talking points, and concept notes, with a focus on mobilizing mandate of UNDP; โข Create and process various correspondence and communication materials to strengthen partnerships and inspire new engagements; โข Support the organization of events and outreach activities, such as UNDP partner and media events conferences and programmes ceremonies, including logistical arrangements, background documents, and meeting minutes/reports; โข Develop and maintain an updated contact list of stakeholders, and partners to facilitate outreach and collaboration; โข Translate correspondences, articles, and posts between Arabic and English to ensure effective communication with diverse audiences; โข Produce compelling articles and write-ups on and the work and mandate of UNDP as well as success stories, and partnerships for UNDP publications, websites, newsletters, and media outlets; โข Foster collaboration with local organizations and stakeholders to create more opportunities for volunteer engagement and recognition; โข Contribute to the implementation of UNDP Regional Office Communication Plan. โข Perform any other task as requested to promote sustainable development and the work and mandate of UNDP Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: โข 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 International Volunteer Day); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข 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.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Client Orientation โข Commitment to Continuous Learning โข Integrity โข Planning and Organizing โข Professionalism โข Respect for Diversity Working in Teams โข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข 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. โข 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; โข 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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity.
Living conditions and remarksAs this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly.