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.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004 and currently leads humanitarian assistance and longer-term development efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Kassala, Gedaref, and Khartoum States, supporting host communities, IDPs, returnees and refugees. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, peace building and protection, resilience, and Market Systems Development.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Safeguarding Advisor will lead country safeguarding prevention efforts by ensuring the Global Mercy Corps Safeguarding Policies and Core Standards are understood across functions, mainstreaming efforts are implemented and ownership increases across all functions. Embedding these standards will require concerted effort and the Advisor will play a key role in leading workstreams between departments, increasing accountability efforts and safeguarding mainstreaming in key areas. The Safeguarding Advisor will provide periodic briefings to senior management and support key departments towards a Safe, Diverse and Inclusive environment both internally within Mercy Corps and externally towards the communities we support. Working closely with relevant stakeholders, the Advisor is primarily responsible for leading workstreams towards the realization of organizational safeguarding commitments, and ensuring functions are accountable for their relevant Core Standards.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

• Lead, manage and follow up on key safeguarding workstreams, including progress on Core Standards implementation through collaboration with Heads of functions
• Support effective teamwork, communication, and collaboration across teams and liaise with Regional Safeguarding Advisor and HQ Safeguarding team for support
• Support internal safeguarding product development through reviewing and updating toolkits, guidance documents, trainings and other resources
• Provide strategic planning support for teams implementing Core Standards by advising on best practice approaches for implementation; close follow up and support to Heads of functions
• Support recruitment of new team members as requested and ensuring safe recruitment practices are in place as per Core Standard 2
• Act as liaison between the country safeguarding team, Senior Management Team, the Regional Safeguarding Advisor, Ethics and Compliance department and other stakeholder groups within the agency

Program Support

• Contribute to concept notes and proposals; follow guidance from Core Standard 5
• Work closely with the Regional Safeguarding Advisor when integrating safeguarding risks and as part of a program or protection risk assessment, or a standalone safeguarding risk assessment
• Ensure risks have realistic mitigations in place with clear persons responsible in line with Core Standard 5 guidance

Training and Capacity Strengthening

• Conduct regular sensitization and training sessions on safeguarding to various internal and external audiences
• Develop, adapt and strengthen existing safeguarding training material to respond to context specific safeguarding risks 
• Provide technical support and build skills of Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions to enhance integration of safeguarding in field offices and programs
• Assess the impact of awareness raising activities through use of feedback channels such as surveys and focus group discussions with team members and/or community members

Communications

• Support internal communications on safeguarding including but not limited to drafting emails or segments for senior management to publish in internal newsletters, posts for Viva Engage and blog/vlog postings after field visits and generally creating awareness on the Core Standards
• Ensuring Core Standard 10 on Safe Communications is followed by program, monitoring evaluation and learning (MEL) staff, and other teams collecting stories, images and videos of community members

Internal Representation

• Internal representation of safeguarding processes and workstreams at country leadership team meetings
• Represent safeguarding in relevant internal meetings such as country strategy process
• Support the preparation of internal and external reports on the status of safeguarding prevention workstreams as requested or needed
• Lead on gathering and analyzing data to assess the implementation of the Safeguarding Core Standards

Survivor Response and Support

• Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues or concerns
• Act as a resource to survivors and help ensure their safety, security and well-being and support a survivor-centered approach when requested
• In coordination with local PSEA networks identify, map, and annually update the survivor service map to serve as a directory for support services available to survivors
• Ensure safeguarding allegations are reported immediately to the Global Ethics and Compliance Team via the Integrity Hotline
• Provide support for investigations if requested by the Ethics Team

External Representation

• Participate in and represent Mercy Corps at relevant sector coordination mechanisms, including Clusters and PSEA networks  
• Provide technical support regarding donor requirements on project proposals and design 
• Collaborate closely with Regional Safeguarding Advisor

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: PaQ Director

Works Directly With: Country Director, Director of Programs, Program Team, HR Team, Safeguarding Focal Points, Champions and Co-investigators.  Regional Safeguarding Advisors and the Ethics and Compliance Department. 

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 required.
• 5+ years professional experience in development/humanitarian sector
• Technical skills, experience and knowledge in safeguarding, protection, GBV programming highly desirable
• Experience with Psychological First Aid and survivor-centered approach
• Demonstrates commitment and knowledge of the survivor-centered approach and respective principles 
• Experience designing and delivering training to diverse audiences
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and networking skills in both remote and in-person contexts
• Experience with planning and project management 
• Strong coordination and organizational skills and able to keep on top of multiple workstreams
• Strong writing skills and mature communications skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work cross-functionally
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite)

Success Factors 

The successful candidate is an adaptable, opinionated, fast thinking, experienced advisor. They have a thorough understanding of what it takes to deliver high-quality safeguarding mitigations in challenging environments, and how to deliver effectively. They are excellent communicators who can inspire broad and diverse teams towards achieving a shared goal and drive change through internal advocacy. . They contribute towards a safe and conducive working environment encouraging innovation and accountability. They should be able to facilitate complex team dynamics and achieve aims, have excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, good organizational skills and the ability to work independently, with a strong commitment to advancing learning. They should have strong relationship-building skills and commitment to working collaboratively. They have a strong ability to design, implement and manage projects that respond to evolving safeguarding needs.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in LOCATION 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).