Programme Assisant-Aroma, Kassala State

JOB DETAILS

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Aroma, Kassala State

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level : 5

Duration of contract : 1 Year

Hiring open to : Sudanese candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 03/07/2026

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, hasentrusted UNESCO, the implementor, with a generous donation to increase the quality and relevance of TVET deliveryin Kassala and Red Sea states generating new employability opportunities for Sudanese youth, particularly girls anddisadvantaged groups such as IDPs and people with disabilities, in Agri-TVET and related fields’, equipping them withrelevant skills for better employment and livelihood. In order to address the deficiency of functioning TVET centres inthe country, the project intends to rehabilitate and empower a Model Vocational Training Centres in Kassala and ModelTechnical Secondary School in Port Sudan. The project will introduce curricula in line with eight pre-identified trades tocater 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 evenceased 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 improveinternal efficiency to ensure the best outputs in light of the planned inputs and training objectives, including curriculumdevelopment, absorption and quality control. TVET Centres must increase their capacity to graduate a larger number oflearners and improve the quality and relevance of the courses offered, which translates into better responsiveness tolabour market needs, while keeping pace with innovation and technological progress. Another challenge concerns thenecessary improvement of efficiency related to the effectiveness of programs.
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 developmentpartners’ emergency response despite its life-saving potential. Agri-TVET in particular has been identified as a criticalsub-sector inextricably linked to the lifesaving needs and fundamental rights of the Sudanese population in the realmsof water, food security, livelihoods and environmental sustainability. The States of Kassala and Red Sea were consideredas the best locations for the project taking into consideration the skills gaps and the current security situation in thecountry.

Long Description

Objectives
The project “SUD-INCA Invest in Capability in Sudan”, planned 2025-2027, aims to increase the quality and relevance ofTVET 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 thestates 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 toaddress the deficient functioning of TVET in the country, and capitalising on outputs from the CapED Programme (TVETInstitutions Quality Management Handbook and the National TVET Qualifications Framework), the project intends torehabilitate and empower Aroma Agricultural Secondary School in Aroma, Kassala state and Port Sudan TechnicalSecondary School in Port Sudan, Red Sea state. 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) andcrisis-responsiveness. This will be achieved through infrastructural support, capacity development and supply ofequipment 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.
The selected candidate will be working with Aroma Agricultural Secondary School, to deliver the targeted new in:
1.Greenhouse farming,
2.Pesticides and fertilizers applications,
3.Sheep breeding and calves fattening,
4.Solar power installation and maintenance,

Tasks

Under the general guidance of the Head of UNESCO Sudan Office, and the direct supervision of the NationalProgramme Officer and the Project Manager, the Programme Assistant - Kassala will ensure the proper implementationof 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-activemanner 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 programmedevelopment.

3.Support efforts to build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and nationalstakeholders and building their capacities. Support close engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders fromgovernment, donors, private sector, institutions, national and international organisations working in TVET, interestgroups, and experts.

4.Monitor finance and budgetary aspects of programme activities in compliance with programme and budgetaryrequirements and financial regulations. Monitoring will cover project plans, schedules, work hours, budget, andexpenditures, 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 ofreports 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 thefollowing 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 sectorcompanies.
9. Support synergies between this project and CapED Programme, ensuring smooth implementation andcoordination, including key output documents from CapED (i.e. Quality Management Handbook for TVETinstitutions, and the National TVET Qualification Framework) are implemented.
10. Support drafting of TORs to recruit needed experts, consultants and trainers. Identification, selection andcontracting of international and national experts.
11. Ensure that the timely delivery of planned activities in line with project plan, meeting deadlines, andreporting regularly on delivery of tasks.
12. Attend and support project teams meetings on regular basis for updates, and collect feedback. Work closelyand 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, provisioningof services, documentation and materials.
15. Prepare minutes of meetings, progress reports, briefing, concept notes, PPTs, attendance sheets, agendaetc. Maintain/update/archive programme documentation and records, research, and track background informationand documentation.
16. Provide and/or coordinate general office assistance (translation, printing, dispatch of information documentsfor statutory meetings, etc.) as required. Document and follow up on important actions and decisions frommeetings.
17. Keep the Project Manager informed at all times on all activities and escalate any issues faced.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C) For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Secondary education/University Degree in Management or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Required:

A minimum of five (5) years experience in project management of TVET programs development is required.

Desired:

• Experience working in Aroma city or Kassala state and familiarity with the social context, local cultures andsensitivities
• Experience in national and/or international organizations in the area of emergency management is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN systems and modalities.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Professionalism:

• Excellent organizational and coordination skills, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and aptitude to work underpressure.
• 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 byprofessional 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 reflecttheir 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 wouldbe an asset.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/orassessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. forthe assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection stepwill be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.