INGO Forum – Area Coordination Lead

• Coordinated aid delivery – Enhancing operational alignment across organizations to maximize humanitarian impact.

• This includes establishing an NGO-led coordination mechanism under the Sudan INGO Forum to provide immediate, effective, and well-managed humanitarian responses in these areas to ensure that urgent needs are met and operations are not disrupted.

• Common service provision – Offering essential support, analysis, and shared resources to facilitate NGO operations.

• This includes common negotiation support i.e. for access or against BAI, collective advocacy efforts, information sharing, donor and stakeholder engagement, security and admin SOPs and collective position papers, etc.

• Stakeholder coordination and representation – Engaging with donors, UN agencies, authorities, and the broader humanitarian system to advocate for improved response conditions.

• There is of course a convening and facilitation role included in this representation function

• Ensure inclusive gathering of Member positions on topics of discussion to be raised at the AHCT, ASMT, AICCG and other area-based coordination platforms 

• Regularly liaise with Members as well as external stakeholders including authorities, UN, data analysis platforms and donors to promote and encourage improved coordination and information sharing, and to streamline understanding of the response and its challenges

• Engage with relevant sub-national authorities to facilitate a better understanding of collective positions, efforts and impacts of humanitarian action

• Develop a network of local contacts and key stakeholders to identify, monitor and analyze key access constraints in collaboration withthe Access and Advocacy Advisor.

• Ensure transparent coordination mechanisms and regular information-sharing between the forum (including internally), the UN, authorities and other stakeholders as relevant

• Regularly compile and share lessons learned/best practices on strategic or operational issues and actively share information with civil society fora

• Identify gaps in research and analysis that, if addressed, would be useful by large numbers of the Forum’s membership

• Oversee regular context analysis, contribution to monthly Forum bulletins and other collective publications, including ensuring regular updates of partner presence

• Contribute to recruitment, in close coordination with the Forum secretariat and donors, and provide leadership and direction for area-based staff

• When required, act as the Director for the Sudan forum in key coordination groups and external meetings with Members, donors, the UN system or other stakeholders, including deputizing for the Director as required

• Proactively build relationships in support of the Forum’s work including with member NGOs, media professionals, journalists and other international organizations

• 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. 

INGO Forum team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to their 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 field projects, in line with Mercy Corps’ standards and policies.

Supervisory Responsibility 

None. 

Accountability 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills  

Essential requirements: 

• A graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience

• At least 10 years of relevant experience with NGOs, the UN system or other humanitarian/development actors with at least 4 years of leadership and management experience

• Experience living and working in complex humanitarian or fragile contexts with strong understanding of humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law (IHL) operations and coordination mechanisms

• Proven experience managing humanitarian field operations and a demonstrable understanding of current humanitarian trends and issues

• Experience representing organizations in humanitarian coordination platforms (inter-agency platforms, NGO forums, etc.)

• Experience developing and updating ToRs, SoPs and other management tools

• Proven network and relationship building skills

• A demonstrable ability to manage a diverse workload and prioritize tasks in a complex and fluid environment

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

• Previous humanitarian experience in Sudan, Chad or South Sudan

• Existing relationships with relevant stakeholders including NGOs, UN agencies, donors, national authorities and stakeholders and relevant advocacy and media stakeholders

• Working knowledge of Arabic a plus

• Ability to take initiative, learn quickly and be accountable for results 

• Flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving 

• Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details 

• Awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work 

• Even temperament and a good sense of humor

• Security awareness

INGO Forum Team members represent the Forum and the host agency, Mercy Corps, both during and outside of 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 MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Organizational 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

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions