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 โ helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future. Program Summary Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Sudan, has been operational in Sudan since 2004 and currently leads humanitarian assistance and longer-term development efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Gedaref, and Khartoum States, supporting host communities, IDPs, returnees and refugees. Mercy Corpsโ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, peace building and protection, resilience, and Market Systems Development General Position Summary The Area Manager has the overall responsibility for the strategic leadership, direct management, reputation and execution of Mercy Corpsโ multi-sector response and development in Central and South Darfur and North and South Kordofan. The Area Manager will be responsible for developing and maintaining effective relationships and communication with donors and UN agencies in the field as well as partner NGOs and government agencies operating in the area. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Area Manager is the direct supervisor of an international and national team of operational staff who in turn oversee large teams of international and national programme and support staff. The Area Manager provides support and guidance to project teams on project cycle management, budget management and operational functions, including staff safety and security, finance, HR, administration, logistics and procurement. In addition, The Area Manager provides leadership to ensure the successful implementation of all projects, with the support of the country-wide Technical Coordinators and constantly monitors the context to ensure programing is relevant and responsive to priority needs. In this capacity, the Area Manager is also responsible for representing Mercy Corps publicly at the field level, including in coordination fora, with other agencies and with donors, and for providing the direct link in communications between Mercy Corpsโ Central and South Darfur and North and South Kordofan offices, seeking Sudanโs program direction and input on important programmatic and operational issues in a timely manner. Finally, it is essential that the AM provides strong oversight of security management of the Mercy Corps team and ensures all safety and security measures, including contingency plans and standard operating procedures, are in place and well understood and observed by all staff. Essential Job Responsibilities STRATEGY & VISION
- Support the Gedaref team in the delivery of a portfolio of humanitarian programs. This includes new partnerships, technical activities and strategies in the broad sectors of WASH, FSL, MPCA, Health, Nutrition and Peace-Building.
- Support to program managers with technical expertise in these sectors and ensure any and all methodologies used by Mercy Corps and partners are consistent with local law and best international standards.
- Provide leadership support to Central and South Darfur and North and South Kordofan field office.
- Support the country's leadership to design and execute a vision of humanitarian, peace building and development programming as part of the country strategy. Support the writing of proposals and reporting, as necessary.
- Actively participate and represent Mercy Corps in coordination meetings with UN agencies, and coordination meetings with NGO colleagues, local authorities and other stakeholders. as directed by the Director of Programs in order to align our vision, strategy and activities with emerging needs and strategy. TECHNICAL SUPPORT / PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Hands-on support to the start-up of programs and on-going program activities such as WASH, FSL, MPCA and peace-building. In addition to technical program outputs, this includes liaison with Mercy Corps operations, with activities ranging from recruitment and onboarding of team members, secondment and payment mechanisms of professionals from the State Ministries, procurement and also monitoring plans.
- S/he will be onsite at Mercy Corps-operated/supported facilities/intervention areas and provide direct, hands-on oversight to program activities and outreach strategies core to the humanitarian work including the design and execution community campaigns and messaging. Ensure that all campaign materials and trainings are in total compliance with national Ministriesโ and international/UN standards.
- Specific, technical oversight to all humanitarian and development work from the onset of the program: ensuring a consistent understanding and compliance across all staff and partners to standards established by local governments, donors, UN agencies and Mercy Corps.
- Promote the effective and efficient use of program funding and project impact through programme integration
- With the support of MEAL staff, monitor the implementation of projects, support research and learning initiatives and ensure the execution of evidence-based improvement plans
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the Mercy Corpsโ programs, in close collaboration with the Technical Advisors in line with the Mercy Corps platforms, for instance, initiating strategy planning meetings at field level, and supporting development of corresponding strategic documents
- Maintain regular interaction and consultations with other Mercy Corps Area Managers to promote synergy and cross-learning