Deadline: 04-Apr-2026
UNICEF Sudan is creating a standby pool of Civil Society Organization (CSO) partners to support its Health Programme in the South Area Field Offices from June 2026 to December 2027. Selected organizations will help deliver maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services, immunization programs, HIV/AIDS interventions, and emergency health responses in underserved states of Sudan.
Overview
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to join a standby partnership pool that will support the Health Programme in Sudan’s South Area Field Offices.
The partnership will run from June 2026 to December 2027 and aims to strengthen health service delivery in regions affected by humanitarian crises, displacement, and fragile health systems.
Organizations selected for the standby pool will collaborate with UNICEF and government authorities to improve primary healthcare services, maternal and child health outcomes, immunization coverage, and emergency health responses in vulnerable communities.
Key Focus Areas of the UNICEF Health Programme
The programme targets several essential public health priorities in Sudan. These focus areas are aligned with global health strategies and national health policies.
1. Child Health
Interventions that improve survival and wellbeing among children under five, including treatment for common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea.
2. Maternal and Newborn Health
Programs that support safe pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care, including access to emergency obstetric care and skilled birth attendants.
3. Immunization Services
Efforts to increase routine vaccination coverage and reach zero-dose children—those who have not received any vaccines.
4. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care
Community-based prevention programs, testing services, and treatment support for populations at risk.
5. Health in Emergencies
Rapid response interventions during disease outbreaks, conflicts, and natural disasters to ensure continuity of essential health services.
6. Health Systems Strengthening
Improving the capacity and functionality of health systems through better governance, supply chains, health workforce development, and data systems.
Geographic Coverage
The Health Programme will operate in the following states in Sudan:
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South Kordofan
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Sennar
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North Kordofan
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Blue Nile
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White Nile
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West Kordofan
These areas host large populations of:
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Internally displaced people (IDPs)
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Refugees
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Nomadic communities
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Remote and hard-to-reach populations
Many communities in these states have limited access to health, nutrition, and water and sanitation services, making them a priority for humanitarian health interventions.
Context: Why Health Support is Critical in Sudan
Sudan’s health system faces multiple structural and humanitarian challenges, including:
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Protracted displacement due to conflict
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Frequent disease outbreaks
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Fragile health infrastructure
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Shortages of skilled health workers
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Weak medical supply chains
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Limited financing for essential health services
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Poor referral systems and health information systems
As a result, maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates remain high, often due to preventable causes such as:
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Low immunization coverage
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Malnutrition
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Poor sanitation and unsafe water
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Lack of skilled birth attendance
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Delayed care-seeking behavior
Addressing these issues requires coordinated partnerships between governments, NGOs, community organizations, and international agencies.
Who is Eligible?
Organizations that typically qualify for this partnership pool include:
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Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
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Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
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Local community-based organizations
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National or international non-profit organizations
Eligible organizations should ideally have:
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Experience in public health, maternal and child health, or humanitarian health programs
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Operational capacity in Sudan or similar humanitarian contexts
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Strong community engagement and outreach mechanisms
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Ability to deliver services in remote or crisis-affected areas
Why This Partnership Matters
This initiative is important because it helps expand access to life-saving health services for vulnerable populations.
Key expected benefits include:
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Increased access to maternal, newborn, and child health services
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Expanded immunization coverage
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Improved community-based healthcare delivery
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Strengthened primary healthcare systems
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Reduced morbidity and mortality from preventable diseases
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Improved preparedness for disease outbreaks and public health emergencies
Ultimately, the programme aims to ensure that mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents receive quality health services even in difficult humanitarian settings.
Expected Outcomes of the Programme
By the end of the partnership period, UNICEF aims to achieve several measurable outcomes:
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Improved coverage and quality of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services.
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Higher routine immunization rates and increased outreach to zero-dose children.
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Stronger community health service delivery platforms.
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More functional health systems with better governance and accountability.
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Reduced illness and deaths caused by preventable diseases and outbreaks.
How the Partnership Works
Organizations selected for the standby pool may be invited to implement specific projects or collaborate on health interventions during the programme period.
Step-by-Step Process
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Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) or proposal according to UNICEF requirements.
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UNICEF reviews organizational capacity, experience, and technical expertise.
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Qualified organizations are added to the standby partnership pool.
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UNICEF may issue project-specific collaboration opportunities.
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Selected CSOs implement health interventions in coordination with UNICEF and government health authorities.
Tips for Organizations Applying
Organizations interested in participating should consider the following tips:
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Demonstrate experience in humanitarian health programmes.
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Show strong community engagement capacity.
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Highlight past work in maternal and child health or immunization.
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Provide evidence of operational capacity in challenging environments.
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Ensure clear monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid these common issues:
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Submitting generic proposals without contextual understanding of Sudan
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Lack of clear implementation strategy
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Weak documentation of past project results
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Insufficient information about financial and operational capacity
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Not aligning the proposal with UNICEF health priorities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the UNICEF Sudan CSO standby partnership pool?
It is a roster of qualified civil society organizations that UNICEF can engage to implement health programmes in Sudan between June 2026 and December 2027.
2. Which regions in Sudan will the programme cover?
The programme focuses on South Kordofan, Sennar, North Kordofan, Blue Nile, White Nile, and West Kordofan.
3. What health areas will partners work on?
Partners will support programs related to child health, maternal and newborn health, immunization, HIV/AIDS, health emergencies, and health system strengthening.
4. Who benefits from this programme?
The primary beneficiaries are mothers, newborns, children under five, adolescents, displaced populations, and vulnerable communities in underserved areas.
5. How long will the partnership period last?
The standby partnership pool will support UNICEF health programming from June 2026 to December 2027.
6. Do organizations need prior experience in Sudan?
While not always mandatory, experience working in Sudan or similar humanitarian contexts is highly advantageous.
7. What outcomes does UNICEF aim to achieve?
The programme seeks to improve healthcare access, increase immunization coverage, strengthen health systems, and reduce preventable illness and deaths.
Conclusion
UNICEF Sudan’s initiative to establish a standby pool of Civil Society Organization partners represents a critical effort to strengthen health services in some of the country’s most vulnerable regions. By collaborating with experienced CSOs, the programme aims to expand access to maternal and child health services, improve immunization coverage, strengthen health systems, and respond effectively to emergencies.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
