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.

Program Summary

The EMPOWER program is a European Commission-funded initiative implemented by Mercy Corps in
consortium with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and local partners. The program supports conflictand
displacement-affected young people aged 15–35 across nine target states in Sudan. Launched in
January 2026 and running for 42 months, EMPOWER responds to Sudan’s protracted crisis by combining
short-term income opportunities with pathways to longer-term economic recovery, while strengthening
protection and social cohesion, particularly for young women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and
youth with disabilities.

Through an integrated approach, EMPOWER delivers Cash for Work (CfW), community-based public
works, livelihoods support, and training opportunities, while ensuring protection mainstreaming, conflict
sensitivity, and inclusion are embedded across all activities.

Position Summary

Protection Assistant supports the day-to-day implementation of protection activities under EMPOWER
project in River Nile State, working under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and closely with
the Protection Advisor, Protection Officer, and the Project Team. The role contributes to the delivery of
psychosocial support, protection awareness raising, safe identification and referrals, and data collection
across project sites in Atbara and the surrounding areas.

The Protection Assistant plays a critical frontline role, maintaining regular and trusted contact with
program participants - particularly conflict-affected and displaced youth enrolled in livelihoods activities -
to identify protection concerns early, provide first-response emotional support, and link individuals to
appropriate services. The post-holder must demonstrate sensitivity, empathy, and strict adherence to
confidentiality and do-no-harm principles. The Protection Assistant will also work in administrative tasks,
documentation, data entry, and logistics coordination related to protection activities.

Essential Responsibilities

Safe Identification & Referral Support

• Support in identifying participants at risk of protection rights violations through regular contact at
program sites (CfW, TVET, VSLA, awareness hubs).
• Conduct initial intake for individuals disclosing protection concerns, applying safe identification
principles, informed consent, and do-no-harm approaches.
• Facilitate timely referrals to the Protection Officer for case management assessment and followup.
• Maintain confidential records of initial disclosures and referral actions in line with established
protocols.
• Support operation of protection desks and helpdesks at economic recovery hubs.

Psychosocial Support (PSS) Facilitation

• Facilitate structured group-based PSS sessions using the DRC Resilience in Adversity
curriculum.
• Support delivery of unstructured PSS activities (e.g., recreational activities, peer support circles)
tailored to the specific needs of youth engaged in livelihood programs.
• Provide individual Psychological First Aid (PFA) to individuals in distress in accordance with
standard PFA protocols and refer complex cases immediately to the Protection Focal Point.
• Assist in setting up and managing physical spaces for PSS sessions to ensure safety, privacy,
and accessibility.
• Maintain attendance records and session documentation for all PSS activities.

Protection Awareness Raising & Community Outreach

• Conduct protection awareness sessions at community level, CfW sites, VSLA meetings, TVET
centers, and other program touchpoints on key topics including: rights and available services;
referral pathways; GBV prevention and response; child protection; PSEA; and self-protection
strategies.
• Distribute information materials (leaflets, posters) in coordination with the Protection Officer and
communications team.
• Support organization and facilitation of community engagement events including outreach
campaigns.
• Identify and report emerging protection concerns, trends, or risks observed during community
contact to the Protection Officer.
• Build trust and rapport with beneficiaries to encourage self-referrals and utilization of protection
services.

Disability Inclusion & Reasonable Accommodation Support

• Support identification of program participants with disabilities who may require reasonable
accommodation to access TVET and other activities.
• Assist the Protection Officer in processing and documenting cash-based reasonable
accommodation support requests.
• Facilitate linkages between participants with disabilities and appropriate services, ensuring
physical and social accessibility at all program sites.

Data Collection, Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately enter case management data, PSS attendance, awareness session records, and
referral logs into designated tracking systems on a daily basis.
• Maintain organized, confidential, and secure paper and digital files for all protection activities.
• Administer pre- and post-tests for PSS and awareness sessions (including SWEMWBS scale)
and report results to the Protection Officer.
• Support monthly data compilation and verification for protection indicators (Indicators 2.11, 2.12,
2.13).
• Contribute to weekly field updates and flag any urgent protection concerns immediately.

Coordination & Administration

• Participate in team meetings, case conferences (where appropriate), and relevant community
coordination forums.
• Support logistics for protection activities, including booking venues, coordinating materials, and
managing participant lists.
• Assist in procurement requests and financial documentation related to protection activities (e.g.,
collecting signatures and receipts for transportation support).
• Support in preparing and organizing training sessions for project staff.
• Represent Mercy Corps in community interactions professionally and in line with organizational
values and Code of Conduct.

Safeguarding & Ethics

• Adhere strictly to Mercy Corps' Safeguarding Policy, Code of Ethics, and PSEA policy at all times.
• Report any safeguarding concerns or Code of Conduct violations immediately through established
reporting channels.
• Ensure that all interactions with program participants maintain dignity, respect, and confidentiality.
• Actively promote accountability mechanisms among beneficiaries including feedback boxes and
hotlines.

Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: EMPOWER Project Manager.

Works Directly With: Protection Advisor, Protection Officer, Program Team, MEL, CARM

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 Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community
Development, Humanities, Human Rights, or related field. A diploma with significant relevant
experience may be considered.
• Minimum 1–2 years of experience working in protection, social work, community outreach, or a
related humanitarian field.
• Basic understanding of protection principles including do-no-harm, confidentiality, informed
consent, and survivor-centered approaches.
• Experience facilitating community sessions or group activities with vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, empathy, and ability to maintain professional boundaries with
distressed individuals.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for documentation and data entry.
• Fluent in Arabic (written and spoken); a good command of English an asset.
• Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel); ability to use smartphones/tablets for data collection.
• Resident in or ability to be based in Atbara / River Nile State.

Highly Desirable

 Training or certification in Psychological First Aid (PFA), GBV case management, or protection
mainstreaming.
 Familiarity with DRC's Resilience in Adversity PSS curriculum.
 Prior experience working with IDPs, returnees, or conflict-affected youth in River Nile State or
similar contexts.
 Understanding of basic disability inclusion principles and CRPD.
 Experience with KoBoToolbox or similar digital data collection platforms.
 Knowledge of local community structures, traditional leadership, and protection networks in River
Nile State.

Core Competencies (Optional but recommended for JD strength)

• Protection and safeguarding awareness
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Teamwork and coordination
• Community engagement and participation
• Adaptability in humanitarian contexts
• Integrity and confidentiality

SUCCESS FACTORS

The ideal Protection Assistant is a compassionate and reliable frontline worker who earns the
trust of the most vulnerable participants in the program. They are thorough and discreet in their
documentation, proactive in identifying concerns before they escalate, and clear in
communicating with their supervisor. They bring genuine respect for the communities they serve
and a steadfast commitment to dignity and confidentiality even under operational pressure. Their
cultural fluency and community embeddedness make them an effective bridge between program
participants and protection services.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Atbara, 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).