Chief of Party, Sudan – SOMOUD AF At Mercy Corps

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

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004 and currently has a country office in Port Sudan and field offices in South Darfur, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Kassala, River Nile, Northern and Gedaref states. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, resilience, and Market Systems Development. 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, agricultural, and food security and building on this experience, the Mercy Corps Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so.

The Sudan Somoud – Enhancing Community Resilience Project is an initiative funded by the World Bank which has two interlinked components:

Component 1: Community Led Basic Service Delivery. This component supports: (i) delivery of improved community led basic services; (ii) temporary engagement of frontline workers and volunteers in select sectors; (iii) project management and technical assistance costs; and (iv) technical assistance and training to select local authorities.

Component 2: Improving Food Security. This component supports: (i) increased resilience and production of select crops and protection of livestock assets in rural areas that supply food to the target communities; (ii) agricultural value chains; (iii) the scaling-up and strengthening of community consumer cooperatives and organizations and community food centers that distribute agricultural outputs and provide affordable food to vulnerable groups; and (iv) project management and implementation costs.

General Position Summary

The Chief of Party (CoP) will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the SOMOUD program in Gedaref, Sudan. The CoP will ensure the successful implementation of the program’s objectives, which focus on sustainable agriculture, market systems development, and capacity building. The role involves comprehensive management of work plans, compliance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement to guarantee program effectiveness, accountability, and quality. As the senior leader of the program, the CoP will provide strategic direction, foster partnerships, and ensure the integration of capacity-building initiatives across all components of the program.

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

Program Leadership and Strategic Management:

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the SOMOUD program, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and organizational priorities.
• Oversee the implementation, and adaptation of program strategies, ensuring that activities lead to the achievement of program results and objectives.
• Lead the development of annual work plans, ensuring that they are realistic, achievable, and aligned with the program’s goals.
• Ensure that the program adopts an integrated approach to capacity building across all components, promoting resilience and long-term impact.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the program with government officials, and other key stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication and collaboration.

Project Management and Planning:

• Ensure the effective implementation of program activities across all components, including agriculture / food security and Community Led Basic Service Delivery.
• Lead the development of detailed work plans, timelines, and milestones to ensure that all activities are delivered on time and within budget.
• Oversee the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to track progress against key indicators and program objectives.
• Ensure that all project deliverables meet the highest quality standards and comply with donor requirements and organizational policies.
• Manage program resources effectively, ensuring that budgets are adhered to and that all expenditures are properly documented and accounted for.

Reporting and Compliance:

• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of high-quality program reports to donors, senior management, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the preparation of technical reports, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and program regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements, including environmental and social safeguards.
• Regularly review program performance to identify risks and ensure that mitigation strategies are in place.

Team Management and Leadership:

• Lead and manage the SOMOUD team, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure the effective delivery of program activities.
• Build a strong and cohesive team culture, promoting collaboration, innovation, and accountability across the PMU.
• Ensure that staff have clear roles, responsibilities, and work plans, and that they are provided with opportunities for professional development.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive work environment, ensuring that all staff are treated fairly and with respect.
• Conduct regular performance reviews of team members, providing feedback, and ensuring that team objectives are aligned with overall program goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation:

• Represent the SOMOUD program in meetings, workshops, and other forums with donors, government agencies, private sector partners, and local stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and international partners, including government authorities, NGOs / UN agencies, and civil society organizations.
• Ensure that the program is responsive to the needs of beneficiaries and local communities, fostering a participatory and inclusive approach to program implementation.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Private Sector Manager (PMU)

Market Systems Development Lead (PMU)

Environmental and Social Safeguards Lead (PMU)

MEL Led (PMU)

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director

Works Directly With: Director of Programs, MSD Specialist, Director of Finance, Director of Operations, Program Performance & Quality Director & MEL Manager.

Knowledge and Experience

• This position requires a Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Management, Agriculture, Engineering, Economic or Social Science.
• At least 10 years of experience in managing large-scale development programs, with a focus on agriculture, market systems development, or resilience.
• Proven experience as a Chief of Party, Team Leader, or similar leadership role in a complex, multi-sector development program.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, including work planning, budgeting, reporting, and compliance.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, private sector partners, and local communities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large, multi-disciplinary teams in challenging environments. Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in written.
• Proven solid analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills in English is required.
• Extensive travel to program areas is required.

Success Factors

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A professional standard of program, finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The post must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Gedaref, and it requires up to 40% travel, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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), 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. 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 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).