The International Rescue Committee (IRC) resumed operations in Sudan in November 2019, after having worked in the country from 1982 until 2009. The organization successfully re-registered in Khartoum with the transitional government and launched initial programs to support displaced populations in urban areas surrounding the capital.

Sudan is currently facing numerous challenges, including a macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts, displacement, protracted refugee situations, natural disasters, and the impacts of COVID-19. These issues have resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with more than 10 million people in need of assistance. Additionally, in November 2020, conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region prompted around 60,000 refugees to flee to eastern Sudan, with projections suggesting that this number could rise to 100,000 by June 2021.

In response to the escalating needs, the IRC has intensified its efforts through its emergency response team, expanding humanitarian activities eastern and southern Sudan to address the Tigrayan refugee crisis and support other vulnerable groups. The organization has established field offices in Gedaref, White Nile, River Nile and Khartoum, and Blue Nile, in addition to its head office in Khartoum which is now moved to Port Sudan. The IRC aims to expand its program scale, scope, and geographic reach in the coming months.

Recently, the IRC has become more engaged in Cash Based Interventions (CBI), using cash as a program delivery mechanism in all sectoral interventions. This engagement is in coordination with local governments, Sudan - Cash Working Group (CWG) - Sudan, the Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS), INGOs, and local partners to support conflict-affected and disaster-displaced households and communities. 

To enhance its holistic programming approach within the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) sector, the IRC has been implementing CBI and Multipurpose Cash Transfers (MPCT) along with related cash relief activities in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, White Nile, Khartoum, and River Nile. Additionally, the IRC is exploring opportunities to expand these initiatives throughout Sudan.

Scope of work:

The ERD Senior Officer position is responsible to ensure the technical quality of the design /development, and planning of new cash-based projects/programes and carrying out all necessary require preconditions/actions for quality and effective delivery of cash in the operational areas. The CBIs is designed to provide immediate and much needed cash for lifesaving and address the basic needs of crisis (conflict and natural disasters) affected households and the community. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Field Coordinator and with technical guidance from the ERD Manager, the ERD Senior Officer will be responsible for the direct implementation of the IRC's ERD activities in RN and Khartoum States. This role entails ensuring robust management and oversight to effectively address the needs and aspirations of crisis affected local communities and IDPs while maintaining accountability to stakeholders.

The ERD Senior Officer will directly be responsible for the day-to-day implementation and oversee the development and implementation of projects within the sector, including the distribution of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) and engagement with stakeholders such as government entities, local authorities, local organizations, and community leaders. Regular reports and briefings will be provided to the Senior Field Coordinator and the ERD Manager to update them on the progress of the work plan.

Specific responsibilities include,

• Support the design and development of impactful and quality basic needs and economic recovery interventions and activities..
• Ensure accountable and timely assistance is provided to the crisis affected local communities, IDPs and mitigating risks to clients and IRC staff.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are identified and registered according to defined targeting criteria and the standard operation procedures.
• Support the planning for an oversee the distribution of in-kind items and cash and vouchers across program locations, ensuring assistance is provided according to needs.
• Guide and provide required technical support to field-based ERD Officer and CTP staff for the implementation and related operational elements of cash-based programme activities at grass root level per IRC SOP for cash.
• Work with other sectors, including Health, Nutrition, and Environmental Health and WASH to ensure vulnerable cases are prioritized for multipurpose cash assistance.
• Ensure that effective planning, implementation, and coordination of cash intervention mainly focus on multipurpose cash transfer and support modalities which will address most of the needs of affected communities.
• Prepare work plans and distribution schedules, in coordination with the ERD Manager, and ERD Officers.
• Engage with program staff and MEAL to integrate the program objectives and to achieve the proposed targets. 
• Manage the schedule of program assistants (in coordination with the ERD Manager 
• Manage day–to–day relationships between the IRC and implementing partner(s) inside of Sudan where applicable.
• Support the Senior ERD Coordinator and Manager in capacity-building activities for IRC and local partner staff.
• Support mobile data collection activities within program sites.
• Assist in identifying potential implementing partners for the IRC, and in coordination with the program coordinator(s), assess their capacity.
• Actively liaise with relevant local stakeholders, including local authorities – HAC, Social Walfare offices, Local partners, community leadership, IDP site committees, etc to ensure the smooth implementation of the activities.
• Support IRC’s representation and local coordination, including other NGOs.
• Provide weekly and monthly reports to supervisors, along with success stories after three months.
• Ensure that monitoring and learning systems for CBIs are in place in collaboration with the MEAL team of the humanitarian unit. 
• Assist in the collection of data, conduct of assessments (needs, market, risks, and security) and provide input for concept note/ proposal development for cash transfer project 
• Ensures effective delivery of project outputs, quality, and timely reporting for the cash-based response responses.
• Supervise progress against grant work plan; promptly identifying any current or potential delays

Staff Supervision and Capacity Building:

• Support recruitment and onboarding for ERD Officer and Program Assistants (contingent on expansion of activities that require hiring ERD assistants). 
• Directly supervise ERD Officer and Program Assistants, planning daily work and providing leadership in responsible program management.
• Set clear job expectations and performance objectives with each team member and review every 3 months as per the Performance Review schedule when applicable.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, capacity building, and specialized training to staff on an ongoing basis to strengthen their technical capacity, exchange knowledge within the team, and providing professional development guidance
• Guide and support the field team in the preparation of beneficiary payment lists, cash distribution plan, and monitor and supervise on spot cash distribution process, and ensure to maintains records of payments
• Develop capacity building plans and provide training, support, and mentorship to the IRC staff and relevant partners staff at all levels on cash-based response.
• Aware the communities, government partners and local stakeholders to consider cash response as one modality at appropriate situation.
• Capacitate field-based CBI Staff and community facilitators, and other staffs on cash Transfer Programming (CTP). 
• Support and mentor the FSPs to meet the humanitarian principles during Cash Response program/facilitating the payment to the beneficiaries.
• Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development. Support the development of business development skills and responsibility among the integrated protection team, with a particular focus on national staff.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.
• Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

External and Internal coordination and Representation

• Represents the IRC on Cash coordination meetings – Sub CWG and related humanitarian coordination platform, 
• Participate and contribute technical input in joint assessment coordinate by the Sub CWG and other humanitarian partners,
• Work with and provide timely technical support to the IRC’s implementing partners; maintain respectful and constructive relations with partner staff
• Comply with IRC’s Global policies such as, Whistle blowing, Fraud, and Safety and other relevant policies 
• Identify and work very closely with Financial Service Providers (FSP).
• Work with Safety and Security colleagues to develop and implement effective safety and security procedures for specific cash transfer programming activities, ensuring that these are updated and revised at regular intervals and that new programs are built around security considerations 
• Maintains adequate communication and coordination within IRC team (WASH, NFI, nutrition and Protection team) in lead the set-up and conduct of needs assessments and data collection activities for cash transfer programmes, design, and planning of CBP.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Way and communicate through word and action a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: Senior Field Coordinator Position directly supervises: ERD Officers 

Coordination and Representation:

• Close collaboration with other IRC Sudan programs- including but not limited to Environmental Health, Grants, Supply Chain, HR and Finance Departments.   
• Close collaboration with other humanitarian actors, local implementing partners, UN agencies, government, and service providers at operational and field level.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders, including UN agencies, INGOs, and beneficiary communities to enhance multi sectoral coordination INGOs in Khartoum, RN and Jazeera States. 
• Represent the IRC in key forums and cash sub national coordination meetings in the camp and host community.

• University degree 
• At least two years of work experience; one year of previous NGO experience preferred.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of the Sudan context.
• Organized, detailed oriented, proactive. 
• Team player and good communication skills
• Strong computer competency with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, & other IT skills.
• Possess leadership qualities and willingness to exercise initiative.
• Willingness to travel regularly to field sites.
• English and Arabic required.

Professional Standards:

All IRC staff are required to adhere to The IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

The International Rescue Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. International Rescue Committee considers all candidates on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation 

Travel and other requirements: This position will be based in Omdurman, with 50% of their time-based at the Atbara Office and 50% at Shendi/Omdurman