Back Programme Analyst (Junior Professional Officer JPO) - Governance and human rights

The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme

The UNDP JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.

During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices.

Job Purpose

The transition that Sudan is embarking on is the result of the popular mobilisation of the people of Sudan and its civil society. Economic and social grievances were at the heart of people’s demands as were demands for an end of years of injustice and abuse. From a development  perspective, this transition should address a number of key issues that relate to good governance, accountability and the need for building an enabling environment for smooth transition going forward. In line with the overarching SDG goal “Leave No One Behind” (embedded among others in SDGs 1, 5,10 and 13), our programme interventions target localities characterized by high levels of poverty and exclusion and those affected by conflict.

UNDP Sudan’s vision is to strengthen resilience and prompt inclusive sustainable development in the country. This vision is fully aligned with UNDP’s corporate Strategic Plan as well as with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

To that end, we are supporting stabilization and governance for peace as well as environmentally sustainable development. We pay particular attention to the inclusion of marginalized groups, including women and youth representing the most promising potential for change in Sudan.

UNDP Sudan is managing one of the largest portfolios in the region of Arab states. The portfolio is composed of three pillars: Governance and Stabilization; Sustainable Livelihood; and Health Governance with innovation and gender as cross cutting themes.

Under the direct supervision of the Governance Team Leader and senior governance specialists, the Programme Analyst is responsible for the management of UNDP’s projects in the areas of Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights.

In Sudan, we facilitate a peaceful transition from recovery to development in line with national priorities. The goal is to stabilize and create conducive environments for peace, increasing dialogue and achieving reconciliation and coexistence. Improving governance is critical in this context.  Having state institutions that work efficiently in the interests of all citizens is vital for building a better, fairer society and peaceful Sudan.  Hand in hand with this, goes the need for a strong legal system that enables the rule of law to be upheld, and a judicial system to which every citizen has equal access. Better governance and rule of law are also essential steps in stabilizing conflict and achieving peace in Sudan. Improving access to human rights and the justice system – particularly for marginalized or vulnerable groups - is an essential step in overcoming underlying issues that fuel conflict in Sudan.

The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and provides policy advice services in the assigned thematic area. S/he and leads the formulation, management and monitoring of programme and project activities and is responsible for the performance of the assigned projects. The Programme Analyst also supports the identification of emerging opportunities for resource mobilization with external donors and trust funds as they relate to the assigned thematic area and provides inputs for the development of internal and external knowledge networks of practitioners.

Reporting structure and partners

Programme Analyst reports to the Team Leader, Governance and Stabilization, and closely work with senior Governance Specialists.

Programme Analyst will have a breadth of opportunities to get exposed to programmatic activities, ranging from identification of strategic opportunities; pursuing innovative ways of doing things; and fostering partnerships with donor communities, civil society organizations, and client governments at all levels in Sudan.

Because UNDP’s approach to advancing human rights is based on the principle of capacity development of both duty bearers and rights holders, Programme Analyst is expected to be solution-oriented and creative to advocate for human rights and support effectively institutional capacity development for human rights in the country.  

Implementation of programme strategies  (20%)

• Thorough analysis and research of the transitional political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to development of the governance programme.
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned especially in the areas of women’s empowerment, human rights, youth, participation and democratic representation, access to justice, conflict resolution, transparency and anti-corruption, citizen security, and decentralization as well as the identification of new innovative technologies and policies to overcome these challenges.
• Design of new initiatives and project proposals in line with the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) and the implementation of participatory processes in the management of governance, human rights and the rule of law.
• Contribute to designing of new strategic plan for the Sudan National Human Rights Commission 
• Engage with the Ministry of Justice -Human Rights Advisory Council in follow up on UPR recommendations.

Management of projects under the Governance and Stabilization portfolio, while ensuring gender equality and women’s human rights (30%)

• Provide day-to-day management of projects related human rights and rule of law, with robust results-based framework and rigorous monitoring, including monitoring of gender equality and mainstreaming
• Ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across projects
• Full implementation of corporate quality and monitoring standards relating to the strategic plan and the PPM reform within her / his projects.
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of project portfolio management targets and monitoring achievement of results.

Creation of strategic partnerships and contribute to resource mobilization for governance portfolio (30%)

• Engage in local consultations with civil society, government entities and development partners to identify strategic areas of support to advance human rights and rule of law.
• Make agile plans to ensure that UNDP Sudan’s support meets the needs of people in dynamic political, social and economic contexts.
• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
• Prepare high-quality donor reports both substantive and financial.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs in collaboration with academia and senior practitioners on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
• Contribute to development of concept notes on various rule of law and good governance themes.

Contribution to the provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government, donors and civil society and facilitation of knowledge building and management (20%)

• Contribute to provide technical guidance and advice on human rights, gender and rule of law with careful regard to improving the ability of governments to plan, provide and deliver basic services and enhance their capacity and legal frameworks to prepare and implement development plans.
• Engage in dialogue with Sudanese public institutions, civil societies and criminal justice institutions to expand knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation in support of programme initiatives.
• Facilitate debate with a broad range of partners, including young people themselves, in addressing youth empowerment issues in the national context.
• Engage in global advocacy and analysis to leverage and disseminate gender knowledge, in alliance building and promotion of enabling frameworks on key gender issues.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Core competencies

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional

Collaboration and Relationships Management

Synthesizes information to communicate independent work

Knowing Your Audience

Ability to use a range of techniques and intelligence to develop and implement customized initiatives to target varied audience to meet UNDP’s objectives

Civil Society Engagement 

Knowledge to create and implement civil society initiatives and apply across UNDP’s development work 

Research

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues) 

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources

Education

Master’s Degree in social science, public administration, human rights or in a related field of expertise.

Applicants need to have taken part of their education, either for the BA or the MA, in one of the countries reflected in the list:

Experience

• A minimum of two years of paid working experience in a relevant field
• Working experiences in developing countries are advantage.
• Advanced computer skills is a plus
• Training in project management is a plus

Language

• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

Age

No older than 32 at the time of application

Nationality

Applicants have to be a national of one of the following countries on this list:

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: Initially one year with the possibility to extend up to a maximum total of 2 years