Emergency Program Officer

Host entity: UNICEF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Education, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Application deadline: 16/09/2026

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.

Assignment context

Under the guidance of the CFO in Damazine, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the Emergency response Blue Nile and Sennar. 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 the Damazine 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 localization 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.

Skills and experience

• 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;

Competencies and values

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

Living conditions

a. The position is based in Damazine (Blue 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
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. The security situation remains precarious, with the threat of violence affecting daily life. This instability contributes to ongoing displacement and fear among the population.
e. Damazine has a pleasant climate and enriching working environment, giving you a mix of experience for any humanitarian career growth.
f. Sudan is a unique country, and the Blu Nile 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.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.