Jobs Vacancies at UNICEF in Sudan

Job Title: Drama / Script-Writer Training Specialist, Khartoum, Sudan
Closing Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2011
UNICEF
House No. 74, Street No. 47
Khartoum

Title Drama and Script-Writer Training Specialist Purpose 1) Assist and support the "Lead 'Theatre-for-Development' Expert" in training teams of local Theatre Professionals, Teachers and/or Members of Youth Theatre Task Forces on how to use ''Theatre for Development'' methodologies and scripts for sparking dialogue and discussions on youth-relevant social issues in an attractive and entertaining way. 2) Co-mentor ''Theatre for Development'' Facilitators as they facilitate participatory theatre and discussion workshops in Khartoum and/or South Darfur, Blue Nile or South Kordofan, and introduce the methodology to additional youth committees. 3) Assist "Lead 'Theatre-for-Development' Expert" in the development of logframes and mentoring frameworks, as far as skills development in the areas of drama and script-writing are concerned. Location Khartoum, as well as Nyala (South Darfur) and/or Damazeen (Blue Nile) and/or Muglad/Heibam in South Kordofan. Duration Two months, to be implemented through two separate missions over a 6 months period (total lump sum payment remains the same regardless of whether work is completed in a 2 months or 6 months time-frame) Start Date 12 January 2012 Reporting to Youth LEAD Peace Education Focal Point

Justification In order to strengthen and peace advocacy and gender-responsive dialogue, UNICEF will sponsor an effort to introduce 'Theatre for Development' methodologies to teachers and Theatre Groups working with schools and youth communities in Khartoum, as well as urban and rural South Darfur (and/or Blue Nile and/or South Kordofan). The objective of this methodology is to create 'platforms' or 'social spaces' where young people can engage in constructive dialogues around needs and issues of young people. The 'Theatre for Development Approach' sought is therefore one where theatre allows for the examination of real-life issues, and for the dramatization of ethical and moral dilemmas as well as conflicts experienced by young people, in order to subsequently spark a discussion and exchange about constructive problem-solving strategies that can be owned and applied by young people in their day-to-day lives. Rather than sparking a politicized discourse on social contexts within Sudan, the methodology sought should raise consciousness of young Sudanese citizens' 'internal' values, ethics and morals that direct them to make crucial choices which affect their own lives as well as those of other youth around them.

There are many causes of conflict and violence among youth; i.e. tribal or clan relationships; farmer and pastoralist competition for access to resources; constructive vs. violent means to protect one's property or assets; clash of values/acceptance of new life styles; how to safeguard and bring one's culture's positive values into the new age of modernity; how to meet/engage with 'youth outgroups' (i.e. youth groups from other ethnic or social backgrounds); how to avoid conflict with external families; how to cope with extended-family social pressures and expectations; how to prevent intergenerational conflict; issues arising from arranged marriage and competition for brides; etc. The advantage of the use of Theatre/Talk Show Elements is that they help to air or acknowledge conflicts as well as ethical/moral issues in an entertaining way in order to then compile positive approaches of conflict resolution together with the audience.

In order to promote harmonious relationships at both interpersonal and intercommunity levels, young citizens must be given the opportunity to discuss and make sense of complex and emotionally-enticing problem and conflict situations; they further must be given the opportunity to come up with problem-solving ideas through active exploration and consultation; and finally, they must be given the opportunity to develop skills that enable them to engage as constructive mediators, mobilizers and citizens. ''Theatre for Development'' is thought to be the appropriate capacity development tool to achieve these objectives.

This SSA will complement the SSA of the "Lead 'Theatre for Development' Expert", by contributing to capacity-development in the area of drama script production. This component is of importance as it will have implications on how theatre groups communicate with the public, how they facilitate in-group consultations and problem-solving approaches, and how theatre can be used as an instrument for youth critical reflection and active exploration. The SSA furthermore provides the Lead Expert with a counterpart for facilitating 'Theatre-for-Development' training sections, and for mentoring and monitoring theatre exercises in community settings.

Specific Tasks

Under the overall supervision of the Youth LEAD Peace Education Focal Point, the "Drama and Script-Writer Training Specialist" will carry out the following tasks:

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Phase 1 (First Visit):
* Support the Lead Theatre Expert in the development of the "Theatre-for-Development" Course Syllabus, in particular in the areas of drama and script-writing capacity development.
* Co-facilitate the implementation of two "Theatre-for-Development" workshops.
* Co-mentor ''Theatre for Development'' trainees facilitating sessions within schools and at youth centers.
* Throughout the training process, and based on on-the-ground learning experiences and consultations with counterparts, adjust the drama and script-writing training outlines as well as materials so that they can be replicated by local theatre professionals and teachers after the exit of the specialist.
* Jointly with the expert, assist local theatre professionals and teachers in the development of action plans, logframes and report writing.
* Contribute to the development of M&E and learning impact assessment tools to monitor and assess the learning impact of ''Theatre for Development'' shows on youth participating in or facilitating ''Theatre for Development'' events.

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Phase 2 (Second Visit):
* Co-facilitate two 3-day Midterm Assessments visiting ''Theatre for Development'' Task Forces in three different localities in one State. Assess the quality of drama scripts produced and used by partners.
* Support the Lead Expert in the co-facilitation of two five-day follow-up trainings for ''Theatre for Development'' practitioners, in the area of learning-effective script production, and the facilitation of consultations on messages prepared by theatre groups.

Expected Deliverables*

* Phase 1 Report to be completed at the end of first month/visit, with Annex containing a. Training Outline as far as drama- and script writing capacity development are concerned. b. Handouts on drama and script-writing capacity development (English, as well as Arabic translations facilitated by UNICEF). c. Background materials about methodologies and research used for training in drama and capacity development. d. Mentoring Report. e. Regular (weekly) reporting meetings with UNICEF Peace Education Focal Point.

* Phase 2 Report to be completed at the end of second month/visit, with Annex containing a. Training Outline as far as drama- and script writing capacity development are concerned. b. Handouts on drama and script-writing capacity development (English, as well as Arabic translations facilitated by UNICEF). c. Background materials about methodologies and research used for training in drama and capacity development. d. Mentoring Report. e. Regular (weekly) reporting meetings with UNICEF Peace Education Focal Point.

* Final Report to be completed at the end of second month/visit.

Expected background and Experience of the Consultant
* University Degree in Development Studies and/or Dramatic or Performance Arts; or evidence of strong practical work experience in Theatre-for-Development.
* 8 years professional experience of contributing to youth education through 'Theatre for Development'.
* Ability to engage and form effective working relationships with counterparts, expert colleagues and beneficiaries.
* Ability to work in an international team, and preparedness to work creatively, and to adjust under culturally diverse circumstances.
* Strong skills in interpersonal relations , networking and communication.

General Conditions
* The consultant will be stationed in Khartoum with frequent visits to the field/states as required. He /She will be expected to provide his/her own laptop.
* No access to UNICEF Network will be given to the consultants neither UNICEF email address.
* No consultant should commence the assignment prior to signing the contract with UNICEF.
* The consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance.
* The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
* UNICEF will provide necessary stationary and printing of handout materials.
* The consultant will receive his/her first payment upon completion of Phase 1 of the ToR, and subsequent payments upon completion of Phase 2 of the contract, and subsequently upon timely submission of Final Report.
* The payment should be finalized based upon presentation of certified invoice and monthly report.
* The consultancy fee covers all other costs of the consultancy.
* No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorization prior to commencement of the journey to the duty station.
* UNICEF will buy tickets, within Sudan, for the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorized to buy their tickets and shall be reimbursed at the most economical and direct route but this must be agreed beforehand.
* Notes: Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
* Consultants are not paid for travel days, weekends or public holidays.
* Internal flight costs will be covered by UNICEF.
* Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.

Interested candidates should submit their application, updated CVs and completed UN personal history form (which can be downloaded from www.unicef.org/employ) to sudanhrvacancies@unicef.org, Consultant applicants bidding for this assignment will be requested to submit a letter of application indicating why they think they are best suited for this assignment. They must describe their "Script-Writing Training" approach; why their approach is appropriate to enable teachers and theatre professionals from other cultures to engage youth into discussion about conflict-resolution issues through active, participatory and entertaining means; and how they would conduct such a training. A CV highlighting "Script Writing" and "Theatre for Development" training implementation experiences must be enclosed at the end of the application letter.

Closing Date: 13th December 2011

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit their application, updated CVs and completed UN personal history form (which can be downloaded from www.unicef.org/employ) to sudanhrvacancies@unicef.org, Consultant applicants bidding for this assignment will be requested to submit a letter of application indicating why they think they are best suited for this assignment. They must describe their "Script-Writing Training" approach; why their approach is appropriate to enable teachers and theatre professionals from other cultures to engage youth into discussion about conflict-resolution issues through active, participatory and entertaining means; and how they would conduct such a training. A CV highlighting "Script Writing" and "Theatre for Development" training implementation experiences must be enclosed at the end of the application letter.