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 aroundthe 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.

The Program/ Department / Team Summary

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.

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, AICS, 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

Based in Atbara and cover River Nile state duties, the Liaison assistant is responsible for liaising with the country office and state level government to ensure uninterrupted program operations and office work in River Nile and appropriate and necessary support by the government is provided. The position irresponsible for making sure that all necessary program and strategic documents are submitted to the government authorities and all permits are obtained in time. The Liaison assistant is responsible for ensuring all the traveling permits and TAs state level approval in a timely manner and ensure to share the approved TAs with tram leaders. The Liaison assistant will coordinate with the team leaders and Liaison and program support manager to ensure all its government liaison functions are smoothly facilitated and completed.

Essential Responsibilities 

GOVERNMENT LIAISON

• Support the team leader sand the liaison and program support manager for easy access to state level governments in River Nile.
• Participate and represent organization in the government-NGO bilateral or individual meetings.
• Follow CD or SMT members when meeting with the government State level.
• Produce weekly access report for each state separately.
• Track and follow the organization registration in State level, ensure electronic tracking and hardcopy folder are always up to date.
• Create and share with liaison and program support manager reporting requirements through technical agreements, MOUs, travel permits or other government provisions by date.
• Review all Technical Agreements (TAs) and facilitate Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) approval at State level.
• Ensure the copies of the electronic trackers and the clear scans are uploaded in the SD teams drive are uploaded and up to date. Ensure liaison and program support have access.
• Build and maintain a good relationship with all related governmental authorities.
• Support the HR team and liaise with LO to facilitate the communication of the recruitment process as required. Responsible for guiding and facilitating the progress of technical or sub agreements MOUs through the government approval procedures.
• Assist the program team to build a network with relevant authorities at field level to ensure continuous access to project sites. Advice program teams on specific regulations, which may affect or delay our ability to implement program activities.
• Support program teams in their communications with local authorities and advice on the communication strategy under the supervision with the operations director.
• Assist program staff with the preparation of information and reports for government bodies and/or other agencies as necessary.
• Ensure that all mercy corps program staff (team leaders) are aware of the procedures and the steps to follow to sign the project Technical-Agreements, drafting SOPs and providing briefings and training to staff where necessary.
• Maintain a work schedule and plan ahead ensuring where possible, that Technical Agreements are prepared before the implementation start so that Mercy Corps does not face difficulties or complications in the field with the authorities.
• Streamline the process, timeframes and coordination in the programmatic compilation and feedback required for the Technical-Agreement approval process.
• Coordinate and be focal point for the translation of all the documents English to Arabic and vice versa of all MOUs' related documents are finalized on time.
• Coordinate with staff with similar duties in other INGOs
• Actively follow-up all outstanding application filed with HAC or other government bodies.

Additional Duties

• In coordination with HR Department, address any matters/correspondences relating to the Ministry of Labour.
• Customs Clearance and Importation List and follow up for Customs Clearance Agreement
• Perform other government ministerial tasks and responsibilities assigned by the liaison and program support manager
• Conducts himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

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.

• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and value sat all times and in all in-country venues.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns 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

Liaison and Program Support Manager

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Liaison and Program Support Manager

Works Directly With: Team leader, Program Managers, Program, Operations, Finance and HR departments (Kasala).

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and 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

• One plus years of progressive administration management, Government Liaison, and Security Support experience are required.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot bureaucratic hurdles and problemsolve so as to facilitate MC program activities throughout the country.
• Must be diplomatic and follow MC protocols on representation and reporting.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, translation and computer skills.
• Must be able to work independently and show initiative. 
• Good organizational skills are necessary.

Success Factors

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kasala and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

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

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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. 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 eLearning 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).