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 Durable Solutions - Building Resilience and Supporting Solutions to Displacement in Central Darfur is funded by Sida/SDC

Outcome 1 Access to Livelihoods: This component supports the following: 

• Market Infrastructure Rehabilitated 
• Vocational Trainings Provided 
• Village Savings and Loan Associations Supported 
• Cash for Work and 
• Agricultural Inputs and capacity building 

Outcome 2 Access to Social Services: This component supports infrastructure developments for social service provision.  

Outcome 3 Peacebuilding: this component supports: 

• Local peacebuilding structures created/supported 
• Youth engagement in peacebuilding

Outcome 4 Natural Resource Management: this component supports provision of support to local land use peace committees

THE POSITION   Summary

The FSL Project Officer - Agriculture will be responsible for supporting Mercy Corps Durable Solutions Program in Um Dukun, with a particular focus on working closely with smallholder farmers and other vulnerable groups. This role requires extensive interaction with local communities, project partners, and stakeholders to implement program activities that strengthen agricultural practices, increase food security, and Livelihoods and build resilience among target populations.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate and implement agricultural activities under the guidance of the Project Manager, ensuring alignment with project objectives and donor requirements.
• Engage with smallholder farmers, IDPs, and other conflict-affected groups to deliver technical assistance, training, and resources for improved agricultural practices.
• Facilitate distribution and management of agricultural inputs (e.g., seeds, tools, fertilizers) in collaboration with partners and local authorities.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress and provide on-the-ground support to program beneficiaries.

Community Engagement

• Foster strong relationships with local communities and key stakeholders to encourage active participation in project activities.
• Coordinate community meetings, workshops, and focus group discussions to promote understanding of sustainable agricultural practices.
• Collect feedback from beneficiaries and integrate suggestions to improve the effectiveness of project interventions.

Capacity Building and Training

• Assist in the design and delivery of training sessions for farmers on climate-smart agriculture, pest management, crop diversification, and other relevant topics.
• Provide technical support to community extension workers and community-based organizations to ensure continuity and sustainability of agricultural practices.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Work closely with other Mercy Corps teams, including those focused on component 1, to enhance program integration and impact.
• Liaise with local government authorities, agricultural research institutions, and NGOs to maintain effective partnerships and knowledge sharing.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures, as well as donor and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and community-focused programming in all project activities.

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: Project Manager

Works Directly With: WaSH Officer, Team Leader, 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 Agriculture, Agronomy, Rural Development, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in agriculture or rural development, with a preference for experience in working with smallholder farmers and conflict-affected populations.
• Strong technical knowledge in agriculture, particularly in areas relevant to Sudan’s context (e.g., climate-smart agriculture, crop management).
• Proven experience in community mobilization and capacity building.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in Arabic and proficiency in English.
• Ability to work effectively in a challenging and fast-paced environment.
• 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.