ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper.

Our mission: to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. 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.

Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and is facilitating recovery by addressing economic recovery needs and laying the groundwork for long-term development. MC Europe’s work in Sudan has three major components: Civil Society Development, Economic Recovery and Development and Humanitarian Assistance with activities that span many sectors including agriculture, market and livelihoods development, water/sanitation, capacity building, peace building, infrastructure rehabilitation, emergency distribution. MC Europe is committed to long-term programming in Sudan and faces numerous opportunities for expansion.  

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Food Security (SAFE) programme, implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a SIDA funded USD 13 million programme that aims to improve food security for 41,000 male and female smallholder farmer households through enhanced gender-equitable market access and agricultural production. The programme which initially ran from July 2019 to September 2023 and has been extended to run until Dec 2025 . The SAFE programme strengthens the capacities of key market actors, contributing to improved resilience capacities to shocks and stresses. It is guided by a Market Systems Development (MSD) and resilience approaches to sustain food security gains despite the complex risk environment in which smallholder farmers are exposed to. Specifically, the program enables smallholder farmers to increase climate resilient yields, sustainable natural resource management practices, market linkages, gender equity and empowerment of women and girls. 

The program aims to improve the income, food security, and resilience of low-income, marginalized communities in Sudan through three outcomes: inclusive and productive markets, healthy and fertile ecosystems, and gender-equitable communities and markets. To achieve this, the program will deliver outputs such as access to agricultural inputs and information, financial services, and buyers, as well as resilient agriculture and promotion of gender-equitable norms and behaviors. Activities will include promoting access to improved agricultural inputs, digitizing financial services, strengthening savings groups, and promoting 

THE POSITION Summary

Reporting to the Program Lead, supporting program officers and assistants in implementing the program including through leadership and direct implementation. Directly, the role. promotes increased equality between men, women, boys and girls and increased empowerment in smallholder agricultural market systems, communities, and households. S/he will ensure increased adoption of gender-equitable norms, attitudes, and behaviors for improved livelihoods and that Stakeholders have increased understanding of women and girls access to land and their security of land tenure and all resources necessary for women and girls to equally participate in markets. S/he will promote integration of gender perspectives in program activities, ensuring gender sensitive programming and that additional considerations are made to break down barriers for women and girls’ access and take up opportunities.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Management:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, support, and to local partners in implementing the program including directly implementing all components of the project.
• Lead assessment and research activities at the community level to gather information and analysis on employment, youth, gender exclusion status, barriers, opportunities and challenges etc. to inform strategies, activity implementation in order to address gender issues, inequalities and concerns.
• Following results of the assessment, tailor activity implementation to ensure they promote access of women and girls to economic opportunities, decision making and control over resources.
• Development and review of training materials and approaches for other program activities to ensure that they are inclusive and address gender concerns and support their roll-out including through trainings to support positive behavioral and social change. Monitor trainings of participants and community structures and ensure women’s participation and progress towards intended gender outcomes.
• Develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies for gender work that could have unintended and negative consequences for the groups that the program seeks to benefit and on other activities
• Review programmatic assessment tools (surveys, questionnaires etc.) to ensure that they are thematically and technically sound from the point of view of gender and support in gender specific analyses.
• Develop business and other compelling cases for selling points to convince partners of the missed opportunities in failing to target women as agents, employees and customers. Advise on ways in which partner companies can engender outreach to intentionally target women to take up market opportunities.
• Provide technical guidance to teams on gender-related initiatives that target women and girls participation, ensuring women make up 50% of the participants and there is meaningful participation and have equitable access to resources.
• Develop and implement strategies for growth, and development the capacity of the community to promote women's empowerment and right .
•  Deliver outcome 3 of the program through promoting gender equitable communities and markets by promoting equitable norms, improving women's access to resources, empowering women and girls, and enhancing market integration of women-led businesses, including promoting women-led agribusinesses and creating Safe Spaces.
• Oversee the work of national NGOs and any consultants directly implementing gender related activities to attainment of the outcomes and outputs.

Collaboration, Networking, Representation and Coordination

• Maintain good coordination and working relationships and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed to create synergy, share experiences and obtain support for program objectives.
• Liaise with the state and locality level Government officials and other stakeholders to increase access to and use of productive resources by women and girls
• Manage and supervise the activities of the National Partner (NGO) that SAFE will be partnering with to implement gender related activities.
• Conduct regular community consultations to ensure programing remains gender sensitive and responsive to evolving needs.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. Respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. 
• Carry out translations and assist in any other task or duty as assigned 

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Integrate gender into the program’s Monitoring, Evaluation, learning (MEL) and reporting on the gender thematic area by ensuring formulation of relevant indicators, participating in assessments, surveys and ensuring sex and Gender disaggregated data to inform adaptive decision making
• Conduct monitoring visits to assess the effectiveness of program activities and adjust as required.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that are indicative of program progress. Respond to queries when necessary and maintain a proper filing system as required
• Provide follow up on recommendations and solutions where there are problems in implementation.

 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.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITY 

• 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: The Project Lead

Works Directly With: Program officers, program assistants, and Support Departments, (Finance, Operations, Logistics & Human resources) and other MC staff.

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 

• A degree in gender and economic development, social sciences, women’s studies or related field is required OR any degree with 4 years of closely related activities 
• At least 2 years of professional experience in the field of gender and development is required
• In-depth understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment principles, concepts, tools and strategies is required
• - Knowledge of market systems development and women's economic empowerment
• - Understanding of business development and entrepreneurship principles
• - Knowledge of adult education and training methodologies
• Good negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with a vast audience
• Experience of gender dynamics (local context and cultural nuances)  and knowldge of national gender policy frameworks
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s rights, human rights and social justice;
• Proven skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration, with strong analytical, planning, and adaptability skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and Arabic and representation skills is required and Good computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point 
• Commitment to working with program participants in need regardless of race, religion or gender

SUCCESS FACTORS 

An ability to support programmatic objectives, willingness to work in rural areas, analytical, creative problem solving, negotiation, coaching and mentorship abilities. Should have a strong capacity to influence mindsets and drive behavior change. A strong results orientation, good interpersonal skills and an impeccable professional person with clear ethical standards and willing to comply with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures

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

The position is based in Port Sudan.

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. 

Female is highly encouraged to apply.