Sudan INGO Forum Darfur Emergency Coordinator At Catholic Relief Services

About Sudan INGO Forum:

The Sudan INGO Forum (the Forum) is a voluntary and independent networking body of 70 International NGOs (58 members, 12 Observers) that supports its members to effectively respond to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding needs in Sudan. 28 member have some form of programming across the 5 Darfur States with 19 INGOs currently exploring cross-border operations to support Darfur operations. The purpose of the Forum is to facilitate communication, information-sharing and collective action among INGOs as well as to foster communication and coordination with national NGOs, UN agencies, Donors, and appropriate representatives of the Sudanese authorities to allow for more effective and efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance, recovery, development and peacebuilding programming towards a peaceful and inclusive Sudan in which humanitarian and sustainable development needs are met, through effective partnership in a supportive operating environment.

The Sudan INGO Forum is hosted by Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

Based in Abeche, Chad, the Sudan INGO Forum Darfur Emergency Coordinator, as a member of the Sudan INGO Forum Secretariat, will facilitate coordination between Sudan INGO Forum members working across Darfur (including those engaged in cross-border programming). This includes enabling effective information exchange between INGOs, ensuring that key issues related to Darfur and cross-border response are brought to the attention of the Sudan INGO Forum Executive Coordinator, National Steering Committee and Plenary of Members, promoting common positions and building productive relationships between INGOs and the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, UN OCHA and other UN agencies, local state and non-state authorities in Darfur, Chad INGO Forum and local Chadian authorities in Eastern Chad.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of strategic and operational priorities of the Sudan INGO Forum as outlined by the Sudan INGO Forum Steering Committee and validated by the Sudan INGO Forum members with a focus on ensuring that local perspectives and analysis from organisations operating in Darfur inform the Sudan INGO Forum’s work.
• Stay abreast and informed of key developments in the political, security and humanitarian context across Darfur and provide structured updates to the INGO Forum including relevant advice on opportunities, strategies and entry points for engagement.
• Facilitate effective briefings and meetings with a variety of key stakeholders ensuring follow up on action points and thorough documentation of process.
• Provide technical support to State-Level NGO Coordination Platforms in Darfur, promoting collective positions, identifying state-level objectives and ensuring complementarity and consistency with strategic and operational priorities and positions of the Sudan INGO Forum at a national level.
• Support the establishment of INGO Cross-border coordination hub to facilitate effective information exchange among INGOs engaged and exploring cross-border operations and ensuring that the best-interests of INGOs engaged in cross-border programming are well represented in the Area HCT(s) and in coordination with the Sudan INGO Forum Executive Coordinator and National Level Steering Committee at the HCT.
• Promote a conflict-sensitive approach and adherence to humanitarian principles among INGOs engaged in Darfur and cross-border response including ensuring that INGOs pay specific consideration to potential protection issues within their response.
• Ensure that institutional knowledge is gathered at area level and that key learnings are extracted from coordination processes and promote the incorporation of these into INGO Forum member’s response strategies.
• Advise and guide the Sudan INGO Forum’s advocacy functions related to operational constraints and policy related issues affecting INGOs in Darfur.
• Facilitate information sharing and liaison between Sudan INGO Forum members engaged in cross-border response and the Chad INGO Forum.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with key individuals in UN, local state and non-state authorities, local NGOs, civil society and communities.
• Deputise for the Sudan INGO Forum Executive Coordinator as necessary.

Basic Qualifications

• Master degree in a relevant field
• Minimum 5 years working experience with NGOs, with at least 2 years working in or engaged with INGO coordination strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding on IASC Humanitarian architecture and the mandates of actors involved as well as understanding of humanitarian principles.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to foster collaborative operational environment with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability in writing briefing papers, advocacy products and other information products.
• Strong personal commitment to promoting international humanitarian standards and principles.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and often demanding environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to engage and build relationships with a wide and diverse set of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Sudan – specifically Darfur, highly desirable.

Required Languages– Fluent (written and verbal) in English and (verbal) French. Arabic would be an advantage.

Travel– Position based in Abeche, Eastern Chad with regular travel (50%) to Nairobi and Darfur (Ag Geneina).

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Sudan INGO Forum Executive Coordinator,

External: OCHA, INGO Forum Steering Committee, INGO Forum Members (incl, CDs and State Focal Points) Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, OCHA (including OCHA Principled Coordinator for Darfur), Chair of Chad INGO Forum, NNGOs, CSOs and other UN Agencies.