Sidig Faroug El Toum

Working and supervising different consultancies mainly designing, contextualization and validating applicability of several humanitarian and relief programmes and interventions for 6 clients NGOs, CBOs and private sector. Given the ongoing Sudan war, instability and the fluid security circumstance, as an expert provided analysis, predictions, identified the risks, threat, reviewed capacity building materials opportunities and made recommendations specifically to context.

• Promoted continuous improvement by problem-solving and sharing suggestions to optimise team operations.
• Conducted research and gathered information from multiple sources to present clear results.
• Communicated with staff at all organisational levels to assess current systems.
• Located deviations from standard operating procedures, understanding causes and preventing reoccurrence.

Rejoined UNICEF child protection section, analysed situation, identified risks, threat, opportunities and supported UNICEF Sudan in maintaining dialogue with armed actors and militias specifically worked with over 32 groups to implement duties:

• Support the implementation of Action Plans and commitments to end child recruitment as agreed with parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflict report as well as with the Government bodies to get the opportunities of advocacy for the release of transitional care and community-based reintegration of the children.
• Engage with relevant government counterparts including NCCW.
• Up-date child protection section on challenges and opportunities related to violations against children and implementation of Action Plan processes and provide recommendations to UNICEF Sudan, as directed, and guided by UNICEF Representative and UNICEF Sudan Child Protection
• Follow developments under implementation of Juba peace agreement (JPA) and any subsequent peace talks with armed groups who were not part of JPA.
• Support the ongoing verification and reintegration of children processes taking place in the different states in collaboration with the Child Protection in Emergencies in the field, in coordination with CP section colleagues.
• Track progress on implementing commitments in the respective Action Plans of armed groups and raise awareness among the groups on prevention of recruitment of children in their ranks, by maintaining regular contact with each of the Focal Points of the parties listed in the UN Secretary General's report on CAAC.
• Monitoring and reporting on the grave violations of child rights (MRM); children in armed conflict (CAAG) & children associated with armed forces and armed groups CAFAAG) & children in civil unrest.
• Major achievement:
• During the fragile transitional period, analysed the situation, provided programmatic inputs resulting in the release and protection of children affected by Sudanese armed groups, facilitated discussions and advocated effectively with them to respond positively.
• Verifiable and known achievements in the field of MRM and CAAFAG programming in contemporary conflict including challenges and gaps in Sudan.
• Using multi-year Programme designs worked in developing detailed and complex action plans on the recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Groups and Armed Forces & Road Maps with armed groups, including progress tracking and implementation of field intervention.
• Or even recently the plans between UNICEF, NMAC and UNMAS titled Sudan roadmap on integrated explosive ordnance risk education & victim assistance 2023-2024.
• The work entailed several processes such as standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Frequent updates to the mapping of armed actors in Sudan
• Led the process of developing Military training manual for Sudan Army Forces SAF in collaboration with Dalhousie/Romeo Dallaire Foundation
• Designed system for Civil Unrest Emergency response in Khartoum.

Together with 12 other political leaders, launched the Coordination Committee of the Forces of Freedom and Change FFC with duties included:.

• Lead the whole country from March 2019 worked as full-time volunteer at the top leadership of FFC CC in:
• Unification of Sudanese opposition in one political alliance over 76 political, professional civil and military groups including 29 political parties under 5 major alliances leading the peaceful uprising of Sudan
• Developed structure to coordinate political interests of various anti Bashir stakeholders.
• Organised public campaign of Just fall, and positioned SPA as symbolic leadership for the Uprising, including political rallies, protests, sit-ins and public strikes, as well as the general Sudanese civil disobedience.
• Managed Media and communication, organisation, internal communication, finance and networking of FFC
• While others managed field work, external relations, negotiation process, and developing alternative policies
• Supervised the development of governance structures
• Overall supervision of the negotiation team which led the negotiation with SAF, identifying and hiring the civilian ministers including PM etc
• Major achievement
• Worked under pressure and sensitive dynamics in the most fragile context towards successful and peaceful overthrow of Bashir terrorist regime
• Worked in installing civilian government to lead the transitional period of Sudan
• Supported with visions for governing and peace roadmap., Sudan Call political declaration between armed and civil Sudanese opposition groups 2014
• Ending the offence by Nomadic groups on UN convoys
• Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.

Worked as a consultant with familiarity with CAAC related legal frameworks, approaches, and international agreements; using the ability to work both in a high-level advisory and a hands-on technical capacity with following duties:
Support the implementation of Action Plans and commitments to end child recruitment as agreed with parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflict report.
Provide analysis of challenges and opportunities related to violations against children and implementation of Action Plan processes and provide recommendations to UNICEF Sudan, as directed and guided by UNICEF Representative and UNICEF Sudan Child Protection.
Tracks and validates cases of child rights violations, including the six grave violations, committed by parties to the conflict in inaccessible areas and ensures accuracy of the collected information.
Maintains regular contact with each of the Focal Points of the parties listed in the UN Secretary General's report to track progress on implementing commitments in their respective Action Plans.
Support work in the CAAC thematic area, including visits, communications campaigns, events, and reintegration of children, as and when required by program staff.
Major achievements:

• Reported on status of Action Plans, including communication with sub-focal points, committees or other actors within listed parties. Reported on recommendations on which Action Plans to prioritize, how to accelerate the implementation of Action Plans, and key next steps.

Worked at The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) as political Advisor on consultancy contract assigned to conflicts in Sudan, with following duties:

Support fostering dialogue among Sudanese politicians and civil society about the causes of recurring conflicts and how to resolve it.
Consult Sudanese politicians as well as representatives from the international community and Sudanese civil society – including women and young people – to identify the causes of recurring conflicts in Sudan.
Provide the HD Centre with regular updates and analysis of the political and security developments in Sudan; to advise on necessary steps and to devise new suggestions that would help move “Sudanese National Dialogue” forward.
Contribute to formulating a clear short- and medium-term strategy for Humanitarian Mediation Prog. in Darfur. including follow up and liaison with UNAMID on QIPS & managing the support for the Darfur Nomadic Network (DNN), UN Women on Nomadic Women initiative, and UNICEF on implementation of Child Soldier signed action plans with SUDANESE Armed movements.
Establish and maintain contacts with relevant experts and interested parties concerned with humanitarian issues affecting Arab groups in Darfur; provide support to the project team in organizing, setting up and running humanitarian workshops Sudan (Khartoum or Darfur), as well as in the region (mainly Kenya) with representatives of these groups and humanitarian agencies; suggest best approaches and follow up on outcomes of workshops with participants.
Representing the organizations at high level fora, establish and maintain contacts with UN agencies and embassies in Khartoum, as well as Sudanese political actors including youth groups, NGOs civil society organization and NCF leadership.
In coordination with the project team in Geneva, manage all administrative aspect of the meetings and training sessions (for e.g. Consultations with participants, agenda of meetings, budget estimate, prepayments and management of receipts) as well as logistics surrounding each event (coordination, travel arrangements etc.) when necessary.
Monitor and follow up with the media when necessary.

Prepared clear, on-point speeches for senior leaders and worked with executives on interview preparation.
Wrote reports outlining project progress and results.
Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Conducted research and gathered information from multiple sources to present clear results.
Major achievement the Advisor contributed to it:

• SPLM-N child soldier protocol and action plan 2016.
• AUHIP Roadmap agreement by Gov and the Sudanese armed groups 2016.
• Over 22 tribal reconciliation process in 2015-2017.
• Sudan Call political declaration between armed and civil Sudanese opposition groups 2014.
• Ending offence by Nomadic groups on UN convoys 2012-2013.

Established the branches of MA Medics in S. Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia. Detailed duties are as follows:

• Develop the company expanding vision for manufacturing, trade, export and services.
• Ensure that country strategies are effectively implemented, monitored and evaluated and actively participate in creating a knowledge management.
• Lead and be accountable for the overall managerial and financial systems of the company.
• Work as business developer by identifying market opportunities, potential projects and investment options.
• Setup branches of the company in new sub-Saharan countries
• Select and rent office premises as appropriate.
• Works with branch managers in resource allocation for the yearly business plans.
• Regularly, visit territory of each branch oversee progress and advise on correction action if necessary.
• Contract institutions, firms and hire local staff in the support to fulfil required duties in branch activities.
• Authorize project designs and provide technical and managerial support in reviewing and assessing quality.
• Review and approve audit reports authorize any financial deals which exceed 100 thousand US Dollars
• Creates approaches to support continuous learning culture, where staff are equipped, engaged and empowered to achieve their career goals.
• Handle company assets and money by selling, buying and mortgaging and all deeds of transferring ownership.
• Generally, possessed all the authorities and power of general manager according to the commercial law of the assigned countries.

Program Development Unit (PDU), detailed duties are as follows:

• Program development and Planning
• Based on the Country Programme Strategy, baseline information and participatory needs analysis in the Field Locations support the Field Location Team and the PDU in designing appropriate programme interventions
• Support the Field Location Team in the preparation of the annual programme plans in line with the strategy and annual budgeting instruction
• Provide the PDU with information necessary for developing concept papers and proposals for resource mobilisation
• Assist the PDM in the design/planning and implementation of PDU led activities
• Assist the PDM and Field Location Teams in ensuring compliance with the child protection policy within the organisation and among partners and beneficiaries
• Provide any support to the PDU that is requested from time to time by the supervisor
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Oversee and provide comprehensive feedback on compliance to WCH monitoring plans and systems in the implementation of projects at field level
• Assist with the preparation of periodic (monthly, quarterly and / or annual) progress reports to donors and WCH Head Office
• Participate in, and facilitate program/project assessment and/or evaluation missions
• Conduct regular field monitoring and evaluation visits to project sites to review the implementation progress and quality compliance
• Staff Capacity Building
• Support the PDU in identifying staff and partner training needs in PM&E and in WCH Programme Themes
• Support the processes of designing and developing staff training materials along the three WCH thematic lines namely, Child protection, Psychosocial support and Education
• Facilitate WCH partners' capacity and compliance assessment processes
• Support the PDU in conducting post-training follow up evaluation activities with / for participating staff and /or partners

Worked as freelance consultant engaged in several developmental projects in the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape of Sudan. Major Clients were Ministry of Information, National Council for Press and Publication, Sudan National AIDS Programme (SNAP) and UNAIDS

• Developed concept, note to support establishment of Communication for Development Structure within Ministry of Information
• Identified, suggested and defined roles and responsibility of C4D unit together with relevant Term of reference for it.
• Developed detailed work plans including manpower needed.
• Designed workflow structure and establishment plans.
• Finalized blueprint final documents based on comments and suggestions from partners and other stakeholders.
• Supported report writing, and guide IEC material development.
• Supported coordination of C4D activities.

Many times, I engaged as Training Facilitator for workshops supported by the above-mentioned clients.

• Analysed staff feedback to recognise learning and development gaps, suggesting suitable solutions.

Served C4D Programme with Specific responsibilities:
Supported communication for development programme annual work plans, communication strategies and campaigns.
Support implementation of research on effective modes of communication, KAP/B studies and evaluations of behaviour change interventions and strategies.
Led and managed coordination of projects 1) Community Radio, 2) Theatre for Life, and 3) Video for Community Action. Manage all Public Education projects activities through participatory planning & evaluation processes, together with regular field monitoring and reports ensuring projects targets are met.
Work as national focal point for “Sudan Information Campaign for Returns” (SICR). work directly with 6 UN agencies, IOM and 10 International NGOs, to deliver appropriate, accurate, timely and consistent information to over 3 million IDPs in order to make informed choices about returns process, in collaboration with government, national NGOs and CBOs.
Assist on identification and strengthening of partnership including capacity building of partners, for effective implementation of programme projects and advocacy activities.

Assist UNICEF sectors to develop communication strategies and plans including IEC materials, follows up on production of materials and oversees qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translation, review of layout and graphic design etc.).
Participate in designing, development, pre-testing and evaluation of Sudanese culturally relevant programme communication materials and activities.
Methodology
The work included: reviewing funding proposal disbursing funds to government /INGOs projects approving project designs and budgets; reviewing smaller projects and emergency responses interventions such as floods, disease outbreaks, and oversee conflict and non-conflict areas following community participation approaches in disaster management as well as community participation to development; also, included drafting UNICEF funding proposals and donor reports.

Other duties:

• Served irregularly as Officer in Charge of Communication for Development Programme. Where, was able to significantly improve programming, coordination and management skills delivering tangible results in extremely challenging conditions.
• Being member of UNICEF Sudan office staff appointment committee for over four years has helped to gain good knowledge on UN recruitment and placement principles.
• As member of emergency, disasters, disease outbreaks task forces, representing UNICEF in many interagency task forces, I was able to significantly improve my coordination skills, and to become familiar with standards of humanitarian and emergency assistance.
• Being member of UNICEF Sudan office Contract Review Committee (CRC), with recognition of support for UNICEF's procurement division and HR, along with clear guidelines, I managed tens of successful contracts and consultancies; both individuals and institutions from TOR to closure.
• Promoted budget adherence through 2 periodic audits.
• Promoted budget adherence through periodic audits.
• Attended emergency situations, employing 3 years of experience to secure optimal resolutions in line with force regulations.
• Directed programme implementation and monitored performance to inform improvement strategies.

Served Communication for Development Programme C4D with following duties:

• Establishment of close and supportive relations with counterparts and partners, through maintaining contacts, participating in meetings and media events.
• Develop and maintain a network of local media contacts & organize field visits for international media personnel (e.g., Media briefings, Journalist trips, and training of Nat. media).
• Work with counterparts and partners on processing & monitoring Cash Advance to Government ensuring utilization of funds.
• Support training activities, projects review meetings and other workshops as per annual plans.
• Support production of educational materials for Public Education and Sudan Information Campaign for Returns.
• Tackle translations of press releases, and distribution of visibility and branding for the country office.
• Develop and maintain reporting systems for projects; archive produced materials, support production of promotional materials.
• Follow up on procurement, stock taking, and distribution of section supplies.
• Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned, organisation of image database.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to section's projects and staff, including travel logistics, security clearances, bookings and travel authorizations.
• Ensure PROMs system inputs and reports are timely managed.
• Established relationship with media, organised press conferences and worked closely with news teams.
• Delivered high-quality results within budget and timeframe targets.

Led PAND organization executive committee in projects implementation, analyses of potential implementation.

duties included:

• Follow the political and social situation in Sudan with an eye to design peace projects and campaigns.
• Researching and finalization of proposals regarding fundraising and framework to ensure that data and process models are appropriately reflected in logical and physical databases.
• Establish system to effectively monitor and report progress of PAND agreed results including regular reports; Complete monthly and yearly reports on status of implementation to be submitted to the board of trustees.
• Developed policy proposals for deliberation during committee meetings.
• Worked in various programmes and activities, including networking organizations for peace and advocacy lobbying.
• Supervised procurement of project materials. Facilitated educational sessions and training for volunteers.
• Led SINGA Disaster Management Project July 2002, providing aids, shelters and health awareness messages, for more than 6000 beneficiaries.
• Led the field work of Environmental Impact Assessment of Sudan 2nd oil pipeline 2004.
• Represented organisation publicly at events, meetings and conferences.

Duties included:

• Prepare field trips and assist delegates (expatriates) in meeting with local authorities and practitioners.
  Establish and maintain media monitoring system with regular and timely briefing to staff.
  Support Public Affairs, and draft correspondence with HAC in Arabic & English.
  Prepare Information briefings kits, report editing, monitor office logistics, arrange meetings, filing and records.
• Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
• Effectively managed incoming and outgoing mail to maximise office efficiency.