Program 

The Economic Opportunities, Leadership, Vocational skills, Training and Empowerment for women In Kassala, Gedaref and Red Sea (ELEVATE) project aims to bolster resilience, economic opportunity, and empowerment in women, thereby decreasing vulnerability to negative social narratives and gender-based threats. To achieve its overall, promote women’s economic engagement, especially in terms of productivity, income and access to markets, promote awareness, advocacy and coordination among civil society, and promote women’s health and safety as a driver for WEE - Women Economic Empowerment.

General Position Summary 

Mercy Corps is seeking a bold and innovative leader to be the Gender Officer for ELEVATE Program in Sudan. This position will report to the Program Manager – ELEVATE. The Gender Officer will work closely with ELEVATE Team to ensure gender mainstreaming in partner organizations through mentoring and hands-on technical support. The Gender Officer is a member of the Mercy Corps Sudan team tasked with supporting the implementation of this specific program and supporting the team at the state level (East States) to deliver high-quality programs in challenging environments. S/He is responsible for the program performance and quality of the Program, ensuring that team is implementing high-impact interventions on time and within budget, and tracking progress toward specific objectives, indicators and milestones. This position will place a high value on finding innovative solutions to programmatic challenges. Responsible for the daily, weekly and monthly planning of staff, and field volunteers to fulfil the planned activities in alignment with the program objectives, the program indicators and the expected results. 

Essential Job Responsibilities 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Liaise with and support key program staff to ensure that ELEVATE Program is running effectively and making the best use of project resources.
• Oversee the implementation of ELEVATE Program activities in his/her respective location and assigned sector.
• Coordinate and implement capacity-building efforts through the mobilization and empowerment of partner organizations to identify, plan, and address priority needs. 
• Coordinate activities with all involved implementing agencies. Participate in monthly meetings with all partner organisations at the state level (Kassala or Gedaref) to ensure close cooperation and sharing of lessons learned.
• Monitor and measure project implementation, impact, standards, and operational compliance. 
• Keep track of local gender-specific issues and advocacy efforts at the state level (GRD, Kassla) to ensure effective implementation of ELEVATE activities.
• Give constructive feedback on project operations and reporting of partner NGOs.
• Produce formal and informal reports on all aspects of the project in a timely and efficient manner.
• Coordinate work plans for capacity building of NGO staff, identify training needs and develop, implement, and maintain training plans. Participate in meetings relevant to gender, protection, community development, or as assigned.
• Work closely with program staff and MEL Officers at the state level (GRD). 
• Participate in weekly management meetings and produce weekly reports.
• Stay abreast of project developments and needs. 
• Follow through on program needs as required, such as procurement, meeting scheduling, and consultant finding, 
• Liaise with and support key program staff to ensure that the Mercy Crops program activities are running effectively and making the best use of project resources.
• Troubleshoot reporting and programmatic needs. Advise supervisor on improvements and necessities, as required. 
• Provide written reports, as necessary.
• Conduct him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.
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Security 

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves. 

Accountability to Beneficiaries 

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically 
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Knowledge and Experience 

• BSc in international development, women’s studies, gender, or a comparable area of study
• At least 3 years of related work experience is required.
• Should have some experience in Gender, NGO capacity building and community development. 
• Demonstrated ability to successfully initiate and maintain positive relationships with local governments and NGOs is vital to effective performance
• Proven good leadership and management capabilities
• Practical and theoretical knowledge in program monitoring and data collection methods is preferred.
• Experience with refugees or programs that support refugees is preferred.
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm and willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment 
• Excellent written and oral communication in English, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills. 
• Excellent teamwork abilities, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, attention to detail and timeliness.
• An adequate understanding of donor rules and regulations is required.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint 
• Commit to working with program participants regardless of race, religion, or gender.

Success Factors 

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A professional standard of program, finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The post must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.