Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request

On April 15th, 2023, military conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict started in Khartoum State and quickly spread to the States of West Darfur, South Darfur, North Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Kassala and the Red Sea. As of the date of this note, the conflict is still ongoing and, in some areas, it even intensifies.

The ongoing conflict’s human cost is already very high; over 2,000 civilians were killed, thousands were injured, and around 2.8 million were forced to flee their homes with 2.2 million seeking refuge in other parts of the country and 680,000 in neighboring countries, particularly in Tchad, Egypt, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The revised 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Sudan estimates that before the conflict, around 3.1 million women and girls and other vulnerable people were already facing the risk of life-threatening violence in Sudan, according to UN estimates in the initial 2023 Sudan HRP. Since the conflict broke out, that number has increased by 1 million, meaning 4.2 million people (including refugees inside Sudan) are at risk of gender-based violence (GBV) as violence continues, inter-communal tensions mount and protection services and support systems are increasingly breaking down, and access to lifesaving services is heavily impacted with the ongoing conflict.

Women and girls continue to live at extremely high risk of all forms of gender-based violence (GBV). The presence of armed actors, resource shortages -including of water, food, and fuel - and even the humanitarian response itself continue to exacerbate risk of GBV and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in the public sphere, while long periods trapped within homes due to fighting increases incidents of intimate partner and domestic violence. Multiple women and girls, including non-Sudanese individuals, are experiencing secondary displacement and psychological impacts of displacement. Older women, adolescent girls and women and girls living with disabilities face additional concerns and challenges in this unstable environment. Vulnerable men and boys are also exposed to the risks of GBV.

Ongoing insecurity, looting, and inability to ensure reliable supply-chains for commodities, combined with electricity cuts and fuel shortages all continue to prohibit GBV humanitarian response of the scale necessary to meet the needs in conflict affected states. While humanitarian actors, including coordination mechanisms, are now operating through locations including States affected by new IDP influx, such as Port Sudan and Al Jazeirah State, administrative challenges, shortages of supplies, and unmet needs for GBV services continue to exist.

UNFPA Sudan supports GBV interventions at two levels. It coordinates multi-sectoral and comprehensive partner interventions through the GBV sub-sector under the overall protection sector. UNFPA also implements specific prevention and response activities. Specifically, this includes coordination of comprehensive GBV-related prevention and response activities among different actors through chairing the GBV sub-sector under the protection sector to ensure comprehensive sharing of information, identification of response gaps, and follow-up through relevant protection stakeholders. UNFPA also supports the revision and operationalization of already developed National Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Programmatically, UNFPA conducts community sensitization on GBV issues, supports women centers providing entry points for livelihood opportunities, and provide personal hygiene/dignity kits to the most vulnerable women and adolescent girls of communities affected by humanitarian crisis.

UNFPA leads the national/federal GBV sub-sector under the Protection Sector (led by UNHCR) and works closely with UNICEF (Child Protection) and UNHCR (Protection) to ensure strong linkages between the sub-sector and the Protection sector. UNFPA currently also assumes the GBV coordination by leading 11 GBV sub-sector working groups (GBV WG) in 4 Darfur states (North, West, South, and Central), Blue Nile state, White Nile state, South Kordofan state, Kassala state, Gadarif state, Aj Jazeira state, and Red Sea state.

Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)

Sudan
On 15 April 2023, clashes erupted between Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and have been ongoing since then with further escalations throughout the country. Khartoum and the Darfur region remain the epicenters of fighting while a significant increase in crime, looting and banditry has been reported in many areas.
Armed Conflict: Due to the ongoing heavy clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, specifically in Khartoum, the likelihood of UN personnel being impacted by small-arms fire is high. The impact is compounded by the lack of access to health facilities. At this point, UNFPA’s staff presence is mainly concentrated in Port Sudan including its international presence (International D1 Representative; and extended mission travel from Kenya of the Senior Emergency Coordinator/Surge)
Crime: Aside from the elevated levels of risk posed by the fighting parties, criminal gangs and lone criminals are likely to exploit the security situation for criminal gain. Prisoners were also released in Khartoum and other areas of the country. UN offices, including UNFPA offices have been looted of humanitarian assets, supplies, and office equipment, including vehicles.
Civil Unrest: In Port Sudan specifically, where this post is expected to travel to on mission, sporadic incidents of civil unrest organized mainly by youth groups do occur. The primary motivation for these incidents is to show solidarity and support with the Sudanese Armed Forces. In at least one incident, the demonstrations targeted the UN specifically calling for the deportation of UN officials currently relocated in Port Sudan.

UN personnel, including those on missions regardless of mission duration, are required to complete the BSAFE, attend a Security Induction briefing, and attend the Sudan SSAFE organized by UNDSS.

Role Description: This position is a double-hatting position of GBV AoR coordination and UNFPA GBV programme management for North Darfur state and any other states as assigned.

Coordination:
● In Sudan, UNFPA has responsibility for leading GBV AoR, called “GBV Sub-Sector”, under the Protection Cluster or for actively identifying and supporting another agency to take on this role. The incumbent will support UNFPA/GBVAoR in an inter-agency capacity to ensure technical capacities of national actors is built and the quality of GBV prevention and response is promoted and in line with global guidance.
● The field GBV Specialist will be part of the UNFPA GBV Coordination team in Sudan GBV unit, report directly to the UNFPA Sub-Sector Coordinator, and be supervised by the GBV Sub-National Coordinator.

Programming:
● The Field GBV Specialist also facilitates and coordinates the rapid implementation of GBV programming in emergencies per the IASC GBV Guidelines and the Handbook for Coordination of GBV Interventions in Emergencies. The Field GBV Specialist will support priority areas without national GBV specialists, fill gaps in the GBV sub-national leadership and conduct specific tasks, under the guidance of GBV unit chief. GBV programming in humanitarian emergencies is multi-sectoral, involving multiple organizations and actors serving the displaced and host communities, NGO and government partners, UN agencies, and other national and international organizations to engage in comprehensive prevention initiatives.
● Field GBV specialists will use the GBV Area of Responsibility’s Handbook for Coordinating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Emergencies (2019), the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for Prevention and Response to GBV in Emergencies, and the IASC’s Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing Risk, Promoting Resilience, and Aiding Recovery, to Improve the GBV response and Prevention quality are improved.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


1. Coordination, Advocacy, and Promoting Joint Action

● Reinforce the GBV working group (WG) in coordination; promote engagement of relevant humanitarian actors including government actors and international/local organizations;
● Closely coordinate with the Protection WG, Child Protection WG, Sexual Reproductive Health WG, PSEA Network, and other relevant task forces at the state level, for GBV risk mitigation and survivor referral;
● Promote shared knowledge and understanding of the GBV guiding principles and globally and nationally endorsed tools, for effective GBV program management and inter-agency coordination;
● Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and referral pathways for all actors involved in GBV response;
● Develop location-specific GBV working group work plans, emergency response plans as well as preparedness plans
● Draft key messages and advocacy notes to promote consistent communications that emphasize the life-saving nature of GBV-related interventions in the crisis-affected context;
● Develop a strategy for effective communications with affected populations on GBV services, risk mitigation strategies, and to promote gender equality;
● Provide technical support to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents to address GBV in the context of broader gender inequality issues.
● Support GBV Sub-National Coordinator in technical guidance and capacity building of GBV Working Group Coordinators and UNFPA GBV programme staff

2. Program and Technical Leadership

● Support the implementation of UNFPA GBV program interventions in the state;
● Coordinate GBV response activities, using a results-based approach incorporating creativity, innovation, and responsiveness to the needs, and thorough monitoring and reporting;
● Support and advise the UNFPA field office team and build knowledge and programming practices in relation to GBV;
● Promote awareness of, access to, and use of relevant tools and guidelines across sectors to support effective GBV prevention and response;
● Support capacity building and ongoing support of partners at various levels including GBV Working Group partners and support institutional capacity building of government and other partners;
● Mentor identified priority sectors in the uptake of GBV mainstreaming tools and monitor their implementation and support implementation of action plans developed by GBV SS;
● Facilitate GBV mainstreaming training for other sector responses;
● Monitor the implementation and quality of GBV service provision.

3. Information Management, Assessments, and Reporting

● Lead and/or contribute to assessments and situational analyses including interagency assessments and monitoring missions; ensure GBV concerns are included in multi-sectoral assessments and link to consolidated appeals;
● Map existing GBV actors using the GBV SS service mapping tool;
● Ensure a standardized approach to data gathering using the GBV SS 4Ws template, with an emphasis on ensuring safe and ethical practices as promoted by the GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS), the Guiding Principles for Working with GBV Survivors, and the WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies;
● Engage in robust analyses of available secondary data to ensure readily-available information on known trends and patterns on GBV for inclusion at relevant points along the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, including the MIRA;
● Prepare standard periodic reports and progress updates on on-going GBV WG for inclusion in GBV SS updates, OCHA SitReps, Humanitarian Bulletins, Protection Advisories, Global GBV AoR Updates, UNFPA HQ internal and external meetings and advocacy, etc.;
● Document best practices and approaches for responding to issues of GBV in order to deepen the knowledge base among relevant partners;
● Prepare regular analytical reports on emerging issues.

● Other
Up-to-date contact list of the GBV WG members;
● Up-to-date Service mapping, directory, and GBV referral pathway database;
● Monthly WG Progress reports;
● Monthly personal plan and individual report;
● Up-to-date Safe spaces and community protection-based network updates.
● Undertake other relevant tasks as requested by the sub-national GBV coordinator and GBV Sub-Sector Coordinator.


Qualifications and Skills Required
● Advanced degree in social work or other social sciences, public health, community health, International relations, international law, rights, or other related fields.
● Five years of experience in GBV coordination/GBV programming, protection, or program
● Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Arabic-speaking candidates will be given priority.

Job knowledge and Experience:
● Management in humanitarian settings;
o Demonstrable knowledge of protection issues in humanitarian settings;
o Demonstrable knowledge of humanitarian emergency operations, including the Cluster System and HPC, and roles/responsibilities of key humanitarian actors.
● Group facilitation skills and experience, capacity building, and training skills, coalition-building
● Prior training in gender and GBViE issues and their application in international humanitarian or development settings;
● Awareness and demonstrable knowledge of gender issues and their relevance in humanitarian emergency settings;
● Knowledge, skill, and experience in participatory methods for community development and mobilization.