About Mercy Corps 

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact. 

Program / Department / Summary 

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004, and currently has a country office in Prot-Sudan and field offices in South Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan and Gedaref, Kassala, Northern, River Nile states. We work with Sudanese communities to build resilient scalable solutions that interrupt the cycle of fragility and crisis due to conflict and climate change by improving food and water security, peace and governance and enabling economic opportunities in the agricultural sector. 

Our programs in Sudan cover the triple nexus approach with a range of projects interlinking the humanitarian, development, and peace sectors. Our humanitarian response focuses on integrated FSL, Cash, WASH, Protection and Nutrition activities with cross-cutting focuses on youth and gender. These programs have a strong emphasis on increasing self-reliance through the provision of improved livelihood opportunities. Under our peace program, we aim to promote an active role for women in preventing and mitigating violence and conflict especially in South Darfur and South Kordofan in collaboration with civil society. Our development program is pioneering a Market System Development (MSD) approach to support the food security and strengthening of agricultural markets systems for small holder farmers in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The project has a focus on the empowerment of women and promotion of climate resilient agriculture. 

The SPARK Programme builds on top of understanding rather than introducing new untested ideas. SPARK will place a greater emphasis on renewable energy and Mercy Corps will utilize in-house expertise bringing in support from our Energy for Impact (E4I) team. Across the wide range of market actors the Programme will engage with, from micro-enterprises to SMEs to large employers, SPARK will work to ensure that these market actors are adopting approaches, services and products that are appropriate for female customers, as well as gender-sensitive internal policies aligned with the Decent Jobs Agenda. We will leverage the importance of evidence of the financial benefit of such approaches to persuade market actors to continue them in the long term. 

Kassala and Gedaref states depend largely on agricultural production for household food security and livelihoods. However, low farmer capacity, poorly functioning market systems, increased climate-related shocks and stresses, and decades of instability have continued to stunt agricultural production and drive households to face food insecurity. Limited access to climate-smart improved inputs, financial services and technical skills training have kept farmers in a low-input low-output farming system. Low agricultural productivity-driven largely by poor practices and underinvestment plagues the sector, limiting producers’ ability to consistently engage with markets for profit and food security benefits, while also reducing buyer confidence in the quality and reliability of the supply of agricultural products. The traditional rainfed sector prevails in the Eastern region, where the main cereal crops are millet and sorghum. Input levels are low, and yields are especially vulnerable to unfavorable rainfall. Livestock is an important part of agricultural value chains but suffers from poor nutrition and high disease burden coupled with seasonal shortages in forage availability, which frequently trigger emergency destocking and constrain producers’ ability to manage herds for future wealth. Market access & infrastructure and Access to energy This is clearly reflected in lack of access to electricity at a state level which is often too unreliable to drive growth and investments for expanded domestic sales and exports. Renewable 

energy technologies can potentially play a much greater and more vital role in overcoming the energy constraints faced by agri-businesses in order to increase economic growth as well as improve food security. 

Working with a diverse base of donors that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Switzerland Development Cooperation (SDC), Swedish International Development Agency, WFP, World Bank, Sudan Humanitarian Fund and others, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We work closely with the private sector, civil society, and governance structures at local, regional and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Sudanese. 

Innovation is an important part of our programs, and we are levering new technologies and modalities to alleviate suffering and poverty thereby helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. 

Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes community-led, market-driven interventions through public, private, and civic sector partnerships. Examples of innovation in Sudan include the use of solar energy to provide sustainable potable water supplies for displaced communities and the introduction of hermetic bags to reduce post-harvest losses for small holder farmers. 

General Position Summary 

This position is responsible for understanding Sudan’s ever-changing implementation context and humanitarian coordination landscape, articulating Mercy Corps Sudan’s vision for MSD program design and development; serving as focal point on proposals with energy Agri-processing, in addition to cold chain logistics, has a particular need for clean, renewable energy as the current limited capabilities of MSMEs reduce their capacity to reach economies of scale in production. This role will provide direct support to program teams, including the development / review, identifying the renewable energy technologies which potentially play a much greater and more vital role in overcoming the energy constraints faced by agri-businesses in order to increase economic growth as well as improve food security. The position will technically represent Mercy Corps in all renewable energy technologies fora and explore the potential to expand further renewable energy technologies as a tool used by programs. 

Essential Responsibilities  Strategy and Vision 

• Work closely with the program team to build Mercy Corps’ strategy and influence in renewable energy technologies. 
• In close coordination with the Project lead, MSD lead, Director of Programs and PaQ team, support prepositioning and development of program strategies.   
• Work with program team members on the design and support of multi-sectoral programs that encompass elements of broader country goals such as food security, market systems development, and governance. 
• Ensure Mercy Corps is continuing to better collect and use data to analyze, understand and document the many facets of vulnerability in Sudan, the role of renewable energy technologies in addressing it, and identify opportunities to work with other entities on this. 
• Provide technical and strategic support to ensure that renewable energy technologies in programs are designed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated correctly.   

Safeguarding Responsibilities[TF1] 

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options

Program Management  

• Conduct operational diligence, feasibility, and risk assessments for pilots. 
• Fully own end-to-end design, planning, and execution of renewable energy technologies activities, and coordinate with external and internal stakeholders to ensure successful end-to-end execution. 
• Design and build operational models for new programs, including assessing trade-offs of different design decisions (e.g., targeting, payments, customer service) 
• Manage partnerships with vendors, subgrantees/subcontractors, and other external parties to support implementation. 
• Define, track, and report operational and efficiency metrics. 
• Dynamically identify operational vulnerabilities (e.g., fraud, brand risk, etc.)  and create solutions to de-risk. 
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ principles, values, program guidelines and quality standards. 
• Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on budget, using effective Mercy Corps (and other standard) program quality tools to achieve the desired impact. 
• Ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources and timely, accurate and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures. 
• Develop partnership frameworks, partner agreements/Memorandum of Understandings, and oversee partner capacity building. 
• Support all donor reporting and communications and track major grant milestones deliverables, cost share requirements, and project burn rates.
• Collaborate with the communications team to create content to drive donor conversations and position MC as a thought leader in the cash space in Sudan. 

Research, Learning and Impact (in close coordination with the PAQ unit) 

• Work with Mercy Corps’ program and PaQ departments on the piloting, evidence-building, and growth of renewable energy technologies, in line with the country's priorities. 
• In collaboration with the Director of Programs, the Program teams, the PAQ unit identify topics for research and learning such as pathways from renewable energy technologies to durable financial inclusion, 
• Leverage existing research and evidence pieces in shaping program design and improving impact, including through lessons gleaned from on-going impact evaluations, reviews, and partner studies. 
• Support the design and use of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks across renewable energy technologies, including through the development of tools, surveys, and methodologies to improve how outcomes are measured, in alignment with global industry standards and best practices. 
• Support new and ongoing programs with best practice advice and assistance on assessment, implementation, research, and evaluation needs. 
• Support field teams to regularly conduct market analysis and Multisectoral Rapid Assessment within the framework of the renewable energy technologies. 
• Conduct assessments; write case studies, learning documents, short articles, and blogs; and develop internal and external dissemination plans for all products. 

Representation and Influence 

• Represent Mercy Corps in renewable energy technologies fora, FSL Cluster and other coordination mechanisms as required. 
• Lead on the dissemination of renewable energy technologies learnings and briefs produced by Mercy Corps. 

Finance and Compliance Management 

● Ensure compliance and transparent use of resources in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies.  ● Monitor and adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and other relevant regulations, including those of the Government of Sudan. 

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 Participants and Stakeholders

● Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

Supervisory Responsibility: None Reports Directly To: Project Lead 

Works Directly With: PAQ Unit, members of Operations, Program departments, Area Manager, team leaders, the Senior Management Team and HQ Technical Support Unit.

 [TF1]This part is standard language should be added to each and every PD

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required. M.A, M.S., M.Sc., or equivalent in electric engineering, development, business, economics, or related field preferrable. 
• 5 + years working in renewable energy technologies and development. 
• 3 + years’ direct experience managing and/or supporting renewable energy technologies programming in the field, including extensive field-based research and market assessments. 
• Proven understanding of and experience using renewable energy technologies tools, indicators, and other best practices. 
• Previous experience building capacity of staff and local partners. 
• Ability to work in a collaborative spirit with other departments, in particular Procurement and Finance, to effectively support implementation of programs while staying compliant with donor and Mercy Corps regulations. 
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel. 
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills. 
• Excellent oral and written English skills required, Arabic fluency is an asset. 

Success Factors 

The successful candidate should have the ability to apply high quality standards of programming in our teams, partners and facilities in remote and challenging environments. This requires patience, good humor while holding stead-fast to international standards in all activities. S/he must be able to work closely with a diverse team to adapt materials and methodologies to best meet the circumstances in targeted communities. S/he must work well across Mercy Corps teams who are not technical experts and are also critical to the success of these programs. 

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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. 

Ongoing Learning 

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.  

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work. 

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation,