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 has a country office in Port Sudan and field offices in Central & South Darfur, North & South Kordofan, Northern State, River Nile, Kassala and Gedaref states. We work with Sudanese communities to build resilient scalable solutions that interrupt the cycle of fragility and crisis due to conflict and climate change by improving food and water security, peace and governance and enabling economic opportunities in the agricultural sector.

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, agriculture, and food security, and building on this experience, the MC Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so. 

Mercy Corps is scaling up to reach upwards of 200,000 conflict-affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance, targeted voucher programs, and in-kind services provision across the country. Our impact will be delivered with a focus on needs, in partnership with local actors and civil society, and embrace the safe, appropriate, and accountable use of digital systems and technologies to support the response.

Working with a diverse base of donors that includes the World Bank, United States Government, Switzerland Development Cooperation (SDC), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) 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 leveraging new technologies and modalities to alleviate suffering and poverty, thereby helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The HR Manager is the operational backbone of the People & Culture function in Mercy Corps Sudan. Reporting to the People & Culture Director, the HR Manager ensures HR systems, policies, and practices are effectively implemented across all offices. This role provides day-to-day leadership in:

• Recruitment and talent acquisition
• Employee relations and compliance
• Staff engagement and wellbeing
• Talent development and performance management

The HR Manager directly supervises HR staff, coordinates field HR operations, and supports all departments to deliver high-quality, timely HR services across Sudan. This role is critical in building a positive work culture that fosters trust, accountability, inclusion, and staff wellbeing.

Essential Responsibilities 

VISION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING 

• Support the P&C Director in implementing the People & Culture vision aligned with Mercy Corps Sudan’s strategic priorities.
• Contribute to annual P&C work planning, set priorities, monitor progress, and ensure results are achieved on time and according to standards.
• Participate in organizational change initiatives, ensuring HR practices are proactive, responsive, and aligned with evolving needs.
• Inspire and manage HR staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

LEADERSHIP AND HR PLANNING 

• Implement People & Culture strategies and policies in alignment with Mercy Corps Sudan Country Strategy.
• Lead workforce planning and ensure agility in staffing across all offices.
• Provide HR input to management and program teams, ensuring HR considerations are embedded in decision-making.
• Maintain HR dashboards, performance metrics, and regular reporting for P&C Director and senior management.
• EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, STAFF WELLBEING AND CULTURE 
• Support development and implementation of staff wellbeing initiatives, integrating psychosocial support, resilience-building, and recognition programs.
• Collaborate with Safety & Access and Operations teams to ensure staff in high-risk locations have appropriate support.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster a culture of trust and respect.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen team morale, engagement, and work-life balance.

TALENT ACQUISITION AND ONBOARDING

• Oversee recruitment processes in line with Mercy Corps policies, Sudan labor law, and HAC regulations.
• Ensure timely and inclusive recruitment cycles, supporting managers in hiring decisions.
• Promote gender equity and diversity in recruitment and promotions.
• Support Mercy Corps Sudan employer branding in the labor market.

HR OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT 

• Ensure HR practices comply with local laws and global Mercy Corps policies.
• Support policy and staff handbook updates, integrating legal advice and staff input.
• Maintain safeguarding and ethics compliance in line with Mercy Corps values.
• Address grievances, conflicts, and disciplinary issues fairly and transparently.
• Conduct risk assessments and recommend HR mitigation strategies.

TEAM MANAGEMENT 

• Supervise HR Officers, HR Assistants, and HR Focal Points; develop capacity and provide mentoring and performance feedback.
• Promote accountability and provide staff with tools and resources to improve performance.
• Foster a work environment of mutual respect, collaboration, and excellence.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, and orientation of HR staff as needed.

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 

• Directly supervises: HR Officers, HR Assistants, HR Focal Points 

Accountability

Reports Directly To: People & Culture Director

Works Directly With: Programs, Operations & Finance teams and HQ & Regional P&C teams

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 or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Minimum 5–8 years progressive HR experience, at least 3 years in managerial roles, preferably with INGOs.
• Strong knowledge of Sudan labor law and HAC regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in recruitment, performance management, staff wellbeing, and organizational development.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate is operationally strong, strategically aware, and able to balance daily HR management with organizational priorities. They possess leadership presence, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to foster inclusive collaboration. Resilient, adaptable, and committed to staff wellbeing, they thrive in complex, high-pressure environments.

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 Engagement 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 committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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 toMercy 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).