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 / 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, Gadaref, 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.

General Position Summary

Based in Port Sudan , the Liaison officer is responsible for liaising with the State offices and Federal level government to ensure uninterrupted program operations and office work in ongoing project in felid locations and appropriate and necessary support by the government is provided. The position is responsible 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 officer is responsible for ensuring all the traveling permits and TAs Federal level approval in a timely manner and ensure to share the approved TAs with tram leaders . The Liaison officer will coordinate with the team leaders and Liaison and program support manager to ensure all its government liaison functions are smoothly facilitated and completed
                                

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The position based in Kassala.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Essential Job Responsibilities

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

GOVERNMENT LIAISON

• Support the team leaders and the liaison and program support manager for easy access to Federal level governments in Port Sudan.
• 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 and monthly access report and plans for the coming month for country office
• Track and follow the organization registration in country 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 Federal level.
• Ensure the on time renewal for Mercy Corps FHAC registration and other governmental facilities certificates renewal( NTC – customs office ).
• Ensure the copies of the electronic trackers and the clear scans are uploaded in the Share point folder 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 .

INTERNATIONAL STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Facilitate expat and visitor exit and entry visas, travel permits.
• . Keep records of all entry and exit visas, travel permits, etc. Provide in-country support as required.
• Update and share the visitor guide and constant companion with visitors and expat staff.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Support the program team with Technical agreements and MOUs Federal level approval
• procedures.
• Acceptance of visitor and vehicles to MC premises .Receiving of mail, etc.
• Maintain a filing system and ensure heads of office have access to files
• Represent Mercy Corps ,as advised by supervisor, to local governments and authorities and at routine liaison meetings/briefings.
• Adherence to Mercy Corps policies and procedures as outlined in the Mercy Corps National Staff Policy Manual;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Reporting

• Provide weekly report on the current liaison week’s activities and plans for the coming week to his/her line manager
• Provide monthly report on the current month’s activities and plans for the coming month to his/her line manager
• Consolidate and submit monthly and yearly reports due to HAC
• Keep the liaison stackers up to date

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports Directly To: liaison and program support manager

Works Directly With: Team leaders, Program Managers, Program, Operations, Finance, IT and HR departments ( Kassala).

ACCOUNTABILITYTO 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 engagingcommunities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION &TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

• Three plus years of progressive administration management, Government Liaison, and program Support experience are required.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot bureaucratic hurdles and problem solve 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
 

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

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins,beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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), maritalstatus, 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. 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 to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conducted-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).