Programme Assistant – Kassala (Khartoum, Sudan) contract

Parent Sector : [[Education]]

Duty Station: [[Port Sudan]]

Type of contract : [[Service Contract]]

Level : [[5]]

Duration of contract : [[1 Year]]

Recruitment open to : [[Sudanese Candidates]]

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : [[17.10.2024]]

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Introduction

Within the project “SUD-INCA Invest in Capability in Sudan: Better employability for Sudanese youth through TVET” and in light of the challenging context in Sudan, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the donor, has entrusted UNESCO, the implementor,  with a generous donation to increase the quality and relevance of TVET delivery in Kassala and Red Sea states generating new employability opportunities for Sudanese youth, particularly girls and disadvantaged groups such as IDPs and people with disabilities, in Agri-TVET and related fields’, equipping them with relevant skills for better employment and livelihood. In order to address the deficiency of functioning TVET centres in the country, the project intends to rehabilitate and empower a Model Vocational Training Centres in Kassala and Model Technical Secondary School in Port Sudan. The project will introduce curricula in line with eight pre-identified trades to cater to the skills gap of youth, through the lens of gender, inclusion of People With Disability (PwD) and crisis-responsiveness.

Background

Most TVET centres in Sudan have suffered from chronic underfunding, low investment and some of them have even ceased to exist. The infrastructure of TVET Centres has deteriorated and often is no longer useable for training. Moreover, the link between TVET institutions outputs and the labour market needs is weak. There is a need to improve internal efficiency to ensure the best outputs in light of the planned inputs and training objectives, including curriculum development, absorption and quality control. TVET Centres must increase their capacity to graduate a larger number of learners and improve the quality and relevance of the courses offered, which translates into better responsiveness to labour market needs, while keeping pace with innovation and technological progress.  Another challenge concerns the necessary improvement of efficiency related to the effectiveness of programs.

The conflict that erupted on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to inflict dire consequences on civilians, exacerbating the protracted economic troubles and pre-existing conflicts in Sudan. Thousands of people were killed and injured, millions of people fleeing their homes in search of safety, both inside Sudan and across its borders to neighbouring countries, millions grappling with lack of laces to food, water and other basic services. OCHA recently reported  that since the start of the fighting, approximately 1,136 people were killed, and more than 700,000 were forced to flee across borders and over 3.3 million people displaced inside the country. An estimated 285,000 school aged children have been displaced. This includes 208,000 school going children, 106,000 girls and an estimated 15% of children with disabilities. The number of displaced, separated or unaccompanied children will continue to increase as families flee. Investment in education is required to ensure safe and child-friendly learning spaces to safeguard the well-being and safety of children and adolescents.

Based on a rapid assessment of the current situation, through exchanges with the MoE and partners on the ground, UNESCO identified skills development and TVET as an area that has not been sufficiently financed by the development partners’ emergency response despite its life-saving potential. Agri-TVET in particular has been identified as a critical sub-sector inextricably linked to the lifesaving needs and fundamental rights of the Sudanese population in the realms of water, food security, livelihoods and environmental sustainability. The States of Kassala and Red Sea were considered as the best locations for the project taking into consideration the skills gaps and the current security situation in the country.  

Objectives

The project “SUD-INCA Invest in Capability in Sudan”, planned for three years, aims to increase the quality and relevance of TVET delivery in Kassala and Red Sea states generating new employability opportunities for Sudanese youth, particularly girls and disadvantaged groups such as IDPs and people with disabilities, in Agri-TVET and related fields’, equipping them with relevant skills for better employment and livelihood. The interventions will concentrate on the states of Kassala and Red Sea, given the assessed skills gaps and opportunities identified, UNESCO’s strong synergies with federal and state governments and implementation feasibility within the current Sudanese context. In order to address the deficient functioning of TVET in the country, and capitalising on outputs from the CapED Programme (TVET Institutions Quality Management Handbook and the National TVET Qualifications Framework), the project intends to rehabilitate and empower a Vocational Training Centres in Kassala and Secondary Technical School in Port Sudan. In addition, the project will introduce training courses in line with eight trades pre-identified to cater to the skills gap of youth, through the lens of gender, inclusion of People With Disability (PwD) and crisis-responsiveness.

This will be achieved through infrastructural support, capacity development and supply of equipment and tools to the centres. In addition, the project will introduce courses in line with eight trades pre-identified to cater to the skills gaps of youth, through the lens of gender, inclusion of PwD and crisis-responsiveness.

Kassala state vocational training centre courses will develop and offer courses in:

1. Agricultural machinery,

2. Pesticides and fertilizers applications,

3. Sheep breeding,

4. Solar power installation and maintenance,

Tasks

Under the directions of the UNESCO Khartoum Head of Office, and the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer and the Project Manager, the Programme Assistant – Kassala  will ensure the proper implementation of the all the project activities in Kassala state and perform the following tasks:

1. Provide specialized, comprehensive support to programme implementation in a timely, accurate and pro-active manner in compliance with relevant HR, Administrative and Financial rules and regulations of the Organization, practices, procedures, guidelines, protocols.
2. Support the preparation and update of the situation analysis for the development, design and implementation of  the project. Support the required research and reporting. Support collection of data for use in programme development.
3. Support efforts to build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders and building their capacities. Support close engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders from government, donors, private sector, institutions, national and international organisations working in TVET, interest groups, and experts.
4. Monitor finance and budgetary aspects of programme activities in compliance with programme and budgetary requirements and financial regulations. Monitoring will cover project plans, schedules, work hours, budget, and expenditures, as well as support preparation of quarterly reports , and planning for the activities and for the tasks.
5. Undertake basic programme-related budget and expenditure data analysis; provide data for the preparation of reports on programme execution.

6.    Collate information and draft regular and ad hoc budgetary/financial updates.
7.    Support the implementation of the activities and regularly report them, including and not limited to the following activities: 
       a.    Rehabilitation/Construction works of the technical secondary school
       b.    Procurement actions and contract management. 
       c.    Selection and training of targeted directors and teachers
       d.    Selection and contracting of experts
8.    Support the formation of Public Private Partnerships between the TVET institution and private sector companies.
9.    Support synergies between this project and CapED Programme, ensuring smooth implementation and coordination, including key output documents from CapED (i.e. Quality Management Handbook for TVET institutions, and the National TVET Qualification Framework) are implemented.
10.    Support drafting of TORs to recruit needed experts, consultants and trainers. Identification, selection and contracting of international and national experts.
11.    Ensure that the timely delivery of planned activities in line with project plan, meeting deadlines, and reporting regularly on delivery of tasks.
12.    Attend and support project teams meetings on regular basis for updates, and collect feedback. Work closely and coordinate with project’s Project Management Team and Quality Management Team.
13.    Complete and submit all required reporting on a regular basis including, and not limited to:
        a.    Project progress reports
        b.    Risk reports 
        c.    Visibility Report
14.    Coordinate the meetings, workshops and events, including budgets, identification of suppliers, provisioning of services, documentation and materials.
15.    Prepare minutes of meetings, progress reports, briefing, concept notes, PPTs, attendance sheets, agenda etc. Maintain/update/archive programme documentation and records,                   research, and track background information and documentation.
16.    Provide and/or coordinate general office assistance (translation, printing, dispatch of information documents for statutory meetings, etc.) as required. Document and follow up on                  important actions and decisions from meetings. 
17.    Keep the Project Manager informed at all times on all activities and escalate any issues faced.

a)    The contractor will work under the directions of the UNESCO Khartoum Head of Office, and the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer and the Project Manager, the Programme Assistant – Kassala  will ensure the proper implementation of the all the project activities in Kassala state.

b)    Wil work with donors, vendors, suppliers, project stakeholders from government, private sector, other international and national organisations and the general community.
 

Education

Secondary education/University Degree in Management or related field 

Number of years of relevant work experience

Required:
•    A minimum of five (5) years experience in project management of TVET programs development is required.
•    Experience in the United Nations system or similar international organisation.

Desired:
•    Experience in national and/or international organizations in the area of emergency management is desirable.
•    Knowledge of UN systems and modalities.
•    Familiarity with the context, local cultures and sensitivities is highly desirable.
•    Knowledge of DACUM methodology.

Professionalism: 
•    Excellent organizational and coordination skills, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and aptitude to work under pressure.
•    Familiarity with and experience in the use of computers, internet, intranet, and other databases. 
•    Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence              when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. 
•    Capacity to deal with people of different cultural backgrounds efficiently and tactfully.
•    Discretion, initiative and service oriented to provide quality and timely support and services.
•    Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities. Attention to detail and meticulous in correspondence.

Communication: 
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
•    Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, in English and Arabic. 
•    Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately. 
•    Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. 
•    Tailor language, tone, style, and format to match the audience. 
•    Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:
•    Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. 
•    Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. 
•    Places team agenda before personal agenda. 
•    Supports and acts in accordance with the final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect their own position. 
•    Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Language requirement(s)
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and Arabic; knowledge of other official UN language would be an asset.