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)

The Liaison department, within the operations structure, provides critical support with managing program related technical agreements, travel permits, registration and visa related matters. The department also advises on government laws and policies, documentation and required action for timely completion of statutory requirements. 

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Liaison and Program Support Manager is responsible for the department of liaison which includes developing an organizational strategy around engagement with the authorities to improve coordination, support and information flow. The Manager is responsible for advising the Country Director, Country Leadership Team and the Programs Team on this engagement strategy, as well as ensuring the liaison team understands the strategy and relevant tactics to carry out this support. The Manager is responsible for all documentation required by the authorities, including registrations, permits, customs procedures, annual reporting, visas, technical agreements/MOUs, security coordination and other operational support. They are responsible for ensuring sufficient tracking and advance planning, as well as identifying any required Standard Operating Procedures to guide the wider organization, including the programs team. 

Essential Responsibilities 

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Develop an organization-wide engagement strategy to ensure improved coordination, support and information flow with the authorities. Ensure engagement strategy aligns with humanitarian principles.
• Identify specific workplan to implement this engagement strategy with specific tactics.
• Constantly review and improve engagement strategy.
• Advise the Country Director, Country Leadership Team and Programs team on improved engagement strategy, while ensuring critical and timely support to the needs especially of the Programs team.
• Develop clear Standard Operating Procedures for key processes including visas/residencies, Technical Agreements, MOUs, annual reporting, importation plan etc.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Has dotted line technical management of all liaison staff in country, which will vary depending on the current portfolio. Liaison staff have direct management to Heads of Bases across the country. 
• Ensure training and technical support to all liaison staff to ensure they can appropriately carry out their role in clear understanding of our engagement strategy and humanitarian principles, including effective onboarding and mentorship.
• Be responsive to Programs team and Heads of Base on any performance challenges and work immediately to address them.
• Collaborate with the people team to promote staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development.

QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION

• Ensure proper tracking of all procedures to ensure that all processes are planned in advance and implemented at sufficient quality. 
• Work with programs team on improving quality of TAs/MOUs, annual reporting and other key procedures, ensuring that the programs team has sufficient guidance and reminders to carry out such activities on time. 
• Ensure effective two-way communication with Programs team to ensure that Liaison team is always aware of key priorities, including customs procedures, upcoming programs, visa/residency requirements and state level laws etc. 

REPRESENTATION AND COORDINATION

• Lead on most engagements with the authorities, ensuring the ability to appropriate represent the position of the organization and humanitarian principles.
• Coordinate with other INGOs to always be aware of upcoming changes or new ways of doing business to ensure that Mercy Corps competitively meets all requirements. 

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

Dotted line supervision of all liaison team. Supervises liaison team based in the coordination office.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Operations Director

Works Directly With: Country Director, Country Leadership Team, Programs team

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 

• Minimum 4 years of experience in liaison support, ideally with experience in a management position.
• BA in Administration of related field (advanced degree preferred)
• Demonstrated understanding of humanitarian principles.
• Experience in developing and implementing engagement strategies or other high level decision-making procedures.
• Excellent communication skills in English, verbal and written.
• Excellent skills in all MS applications.
• Demonstrates strong potential for learning and growth.

Success Factors 

A successful Liaison and Program Support Manager will be a self-starter and a dynamic leader who understands how to influence and advise leadership at an organization. They will have a strong understanding of humanitarian principles and the context of the authorities in Sudan. They will have the ability to drive forward complex procedures with multiple stakeholders to ensure on-time delivery of key procedures. They will be able to balance multiple priorities at once with the support of their team. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Portsudan 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).

Closing Date: 20 May 2026 - 12:00 PM