Description of assignment title

Emergency Programme Officer

General

Assignment country

Sudan

Duty stations

Kosti

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

10/15/2026

Duration

9 months
(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

Zero hunger

Host entity

UNICEF

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

Context

Under the guidance of the Emergency Specialist for the Southern Area, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the Emergency response in the whole South Region. The incumbent will ensure adequate response mechanisms for emergencies, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection and PME sections as well as operations. The Emergency Programme Officer will support coordination with all staff based in in Southern Area and elsewhere in Sudan, when required.

Task description

Programme Support: Providing field level technical support to partners working on UNICEF’s key areas of intervention: WASH, Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, Child Protection and Social & behavioural Change (SBC).
Emergency Response: Participating in assessments to identify needs and gaps that will inform UNICEF’s priorities. As well as providing expertise for the development of emergency response planning during humanitarian crises.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness of UNICEF’s sectoral interventions to ensure they meet objectives and improve outcomes for children.
Reporting: Contributing to the preparation of periodic progress reports, briefings, and other documentation as required.
Collaboration and Coordination: Working with other UN agencies, key local stakeholders, NGOs, and community organizations to coordinate efforts and maximize impact.
Capacity Building: Support the capacity building of local partners as part of UNICEF’s commitment to a localisation strategy.
Data Management: Supporting the collection and analysis of field data in coordination with the field-based Programme Coordinator to support evidence-based programming. Prepare and present findings to key local stakeholders and partners.
Resource Mobilization: Providing input to funding proposals as requested, by providing contextual updates and understanding of changing programmatic priorities in the field. Attending donor coordination meetings.
Community Engagement: Facilitating community consultation as part of design and implementation/monitoring of programmes to ensure cultural relevance and sustainability as well as facilitate community awareness of UNICEF-supported interventions.
Other: Undertaking regular travel to the field, and support with additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Arabic, Level: Basic, Desirable

Required education level

Master's degree in (Master’s or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, international Relations, Social Development, Community Development; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Competencies and values

Accountability
Adaptability and flexibility
Creativity
Judgement and decision-making
Planning and organising
Professionalism
Self-management

Skills and experience

Experience supporting humanitarian or emergency response programmes, including programme implementation, monitoring, reporting, assessments, and coordination with government counterparts, NGOs, UN agencies and local partners. Experience working in complex or emergency settings is highly desirable.
Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain;
Sound security awareness

Area(s) of expertise

Education, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

The position is based in Kosti (White Nile) with regular field mission. While most of the region is accessible, some specifics areas are facing severe access constraints. IN some areas, rainy season may have a severe impact on access
The difficult access to some communities poses significant risks to the realization of children's rights, as vulnerable children are often not reached with essential services, such as routine vaccinations. Additionally, some areas of the region are affected by explosive remnants of war and unexploded ordnance, further complicating access and safety.
Living conditions in this area reflect a complex interplay of socio-economic factors, conflict-related issues, and limited infrastructure, with challenges related to safe drinking water, some minimal access to health facilities. However, internet connectivity has seen a great improvement lately and therefore access to the outworld isn’t a challenge. Food isn’t a major challenge, but access could be affected by poor rains especially during the rainy season and conflict.
The security situation remains precarious, with the threat of violence affecting daily life. This instability contributes to ongoing displacement and fear among the population.
Kosti has a pleasant climate and enriching working environment, giving you a mix of experience for any humanitarian career growth.
Sudan is a unique country, and the South region is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.