ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004, and currently has a country office in Port Sudan and field offices in South Darfur, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Kassala, River Nile, Northern and Gedaref states. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, resilience, and Market Systems Development. Mercy Corps’ Sudan crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Sudanese and other conflict-affected people across the country. Mercy Corps Sudan is recognized as a leader in market systems, agricultural, and food security and building on this experience, the Mercy Corps Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so.

The Sudan SOMOUD - Enhancing Community Resilience Project is an initiative funded by the World Bank which has two interlinked components: 

Component 1: Community Led Basic Service Delivery. This component supports: (i) delivery of improved community led basic services; (ii) temporary engagement of frontline workers and volunteers in select sectors; (iii) project management and technical assistance costs; and (iv) technical assistance and training to select local authorities. 

Component 2: Improving Food Security. This component supports: (i) increased resilience and production of select crops and protection of livestock assets in rural areas that supply food to the target communities; (ii) agricultural value chains; (iii) the scaling-up and strengthening of community consumer cooperatives and organizations and community food centers that distribute 

Agricultural outputs and provide affordable food to vulnerable groups; and (iv) project management and implementation costs. 

THE POSITION   Summary

The Project Officer - Private Sector will focus on building strategic partnerships with private sector entities to enhance market access, promote inclusive economic growth, and strengthen value chains in the agriculture sector under the SOMOUD program. This role will involve liaising with local businesses, cooperatives, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration that supports Mercy Corps’ program goals in Gedaref.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Private Sector Partnership Development

• Identify and engage with private sector actors (e.g., agribusinesses, input suppliers, financial institutions) to develop partnerships that benefit smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.
• Conduct assessments to map potential partners and evaluate their capacity to contribute to agricultural and economic development objectives.
• Facilitate partnerships through MOUs, contracts, and other agreements, ensuring mutual benefit and alignment with SOMOUD program goals.

Market Linkages and Value Chain Strengthening

• Support the design and implementation of initiatives to strengthen agricultural value chains, enhance market access, and improve the competitiveness of local producers.
• Work closely with farmers and local businesses to establish and sustain market linkages, enabling smallholders to access inputs, services, and buyers.
• Coordinate activities that promote sustainable supply chains, inclusive business models, and resilience in agricultural markets.

Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Organize training sessions and workshops for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and business partners to build capacity in areas such as market access, business development, and financial literacy.
• Provide ongoing support to partners and beneficiaries, offering technical guidance and troubleshooting to address challenges in the value chain.

Community Engagement and Stakeholder Coordination

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, farmer associations, and local businesses to ensure support and buy-in for project activities.
• Collaborate with other Mercy Corps programs to identify areas of synergy and leverage cross-program resources to enhance private sector engagement.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect and record data related to private sector engagement activities, including partnership outcomes, market transactions, and capacity-building efforts.
• Contribute to regular reporting on project progress, impact, and lessons learned, ensuring accurate and timely submission to the Program Manager and donors.
• Participate in evaluations and learning sessions to refine strategies and improve project effectiveness.

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.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

None

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports Directly To: SOMOUD Project Manager

Works Directly With: Private Sector Partnership Manager, Grants Coordinator, MSD Technical Lead, Project Engineer, MEL Coordinator, MEL Officer, Sub Awards Officer

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in private sector engagement, market systems development, or related work, preferably in agriculture or rural development.
• Strong understanding of market linkages, value chain development, and inclusive business models.
• Proven ability to build and manage partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including private sector actors, community groups, and government entities.
• Experience in capacity building and training for smallholder farmers or business owners.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with fluency in Arabic and proficiency in English.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and remote areas.

SUCCESS FACTOR

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. 

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

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.

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, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

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.

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

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

Females are highly encourage to apply.