How to apply for National Consultant-Project Coordinator-UNFPA South Sudan

About United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for sexual and reproductive health, working to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence. Working here means contributing directly to peacebuilding and survivor support in a post-conflict setting like South Sudan, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations.

About the role

This remote contract role coordinates project activities for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) response and survivor empowerment in South Sudan. You will lead workplan design, field coordination, and capacity building, directly impacting the lives of survivors and strengthening local institutions.

A typical day

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with field partners to monitor activity progress, followed by reviewing workplan budgets and drafting coordination meeting agendas. Afternoon could involve a capacity-building session for local staff on CRSV survivor referral pathways, ending with a report update for the UNFPA country office.

Who United Nations Population Fund is looking for

• Experienced in multi-stakeholder coordination in fragile or conflict-affected settings, preferably with UN or NGO partners.
• Has at least 2 years of specialized work on CRSV, including survivor-centered approaches and socio-economic empowerment programs.
• Strong technical skills in project management, including workplan and budget design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Proven ability to provide capacity development and training to programme staff and partners on CRSV and gender-based violence.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your CV to highlight specific CRSV experience, including any work with survivors or in South Sudan or similar contexts.
• In your cover letter, explicitly mention your understanding of UNFPA's mandate and how your skills align with their focus on ending gender-based violence.
• Provide concrete examples of multi-stakeholder coordination in your past roles, especially involving government, NGOs, and UN agencies.
• If you have experience with remote coordination or working in insecure environments, highlight that prominently.
• Ensure your application demonstrates knowledge of survivor-centered approaches and do no harm principles in CRSV programming.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Emphasize your specialized experience with CRSV, including any direct work with survivors or in conflict zones.', 'Showcase your ability to coordinate complex projects with multiple partners in challenging environments.', 'Highlight your technical skills in capacity building and training on CRSV and gender issues.', "Demonstrate commitment to UNFPA's mission and understanding of the South Sudan context."]

Research before applying

• Read UNFPA's latest country programme document for South Sudan to understand current priorities.
• Review reports on CRSV in South Sudan from UNFPA, UNMISS, and human rights organizations.
• Familiarize yourself with UNFPA's global strategy on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
• Understand the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and how UNFPA operates in South Sudan.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you coordinated a multi-stakeholder project in a conflict-affected area. What challenges did you face?
• How do you ensure a survivor-centered approach in CRSV programming?
• How would you approach capacity building for local partners on CRSV?
• What monitoring mechanisms would you put in place for field activities in a remote setting?
• How do you handle security concerns while coordinating field visits in South Sudan?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't submit a generic application without tailoring to CRSV and South Sudan.
• Avoid overemphasizing academic qualifications without demonstrating practical field experience.
• Don't neglect to mention your understanding of the security and logistical challenges of working in South Sudan.