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 MC Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so. Assistance is delivered with a focus on needs, in partnership with local actors and civil society.
The Program / Department / TeamThe Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS) is a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations. CCS is led by Mercy Corps, building on its global experience and learning on leading cash consortia in multiple country contexts, as well as general expertise in cash coordination and breadth of technical resources. International partners include Acted, CARE, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), each of which bring strong cash and complementary technical competencies, as well as expansive operational coverage in Sudan. The CCS also includes nine Sudanese NGOs as partners in alignment with global aid sector commitments to enhance the prominence of local actors in driving humanitarian response and recovery. IMPACT is a non-implementing partner dedicated to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning. IMPACT will support quality data systems and an objective evidence base that will be essential to CCS’ accountability and adaptive management to refine programming approaches to enhance impact as the Sudan crisis context evolves. The CCS will work closely with other consortia and actors in Sudan to deliver an effective CVA response for communities affected by the crisis.The core pillars of the CCS response include: 1) basic needs through cash assistance both at the community level through Group Cash Transfers (GCTs) delivered to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), as well as at the household-level through Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA); 2) strengthening market systems to ensure resilience of key market actors and supply chains as well as strengthening the availability and affordability of key commodities; 3) strengthening capacity of local partner organizations with an emphasis on accompaniment and mentorship; and 4) generation of learning and evidence to inform broader response efforts.
The Position The purpose of the CCS Grants Coordinator position is to provide essential oversight and coordination of all reporting, proposal development, and communication tasks for the CCS. S/he will coordinate effectively with CCS partners to prepare high quality and timely donor reports, lead proposal development and produce high quality external communication products. S/he will assist the CCS Director with other reporting activities including: responding to information requests, writing success stories, and monitoring and reporting on program impact. S/he will coordinate with donors, partners, and other NGOs as required by the CCS Director and will attend key coordination meetings and support information sharing across partners. S/he will provide guidance and direction to the CCS Communications Officer. Essential Job Functions
Program Development
- Engage with the CCS Secretariat team, CCS partners and grant holder headquarters to develop high quality concept notes and proposals.
- Support the CCS Director with the development of strategy and/ or position papers.
- Support donor cultivation for unsolicited opportunities, as well as tracking of relevant donor calls for proposals.
Documentation and Reporting
- Ensure establishment and maintenance of CCS reporting and proposal pipeline.
- Engage with CCS Secretariat team, CCS partners, and grant holder headquarters to prepare donor reports on program progress, ensuring all reporting requirements are delivered on time and in a quality manner.
- Ensure quality of program writing, including program activity plans, reports and informal updates.
- Schedule various CCS coordination meetings as needed; ensure meeting minutes are documented and filed.
- Respond to information requests, draft success stories, monitor and report on the impact of the various CCS programs.
- When appropriate, develop and release public communications.
- Engage with CCS Secretariat team (Finance, MEAL, Policy, Research & Advocacy, grant holder headquarters) and with CCS partners in the development of proposals, reports, success stories, briefs, grant/sub-grant maintenance and other tasks as assigned by the CCS Director.
Program Management & Quality
- Support the CCS Director in developing and managing project consolidation tools for use by the CCS and Steering Committee for decision-making, including regular progress reports and key program highlights/ issues.
- Facilitate coordination and communication with CCS partner grants focal points through quarterly CCS Grants meetings.
- Maintain program files and ensure key materials are correctly filed.
- Coordinate with CCS partners in writing reports and success stories.
- Ensure that partners are aware of requirements and conditions of grant agreements and contracts, through the use of grant opening/mid/closing meetings and other methods.
- Ensure that grant coordination systems and processes are successfully implemented across the life of all grants.
- Ensure that key controls are in place to support effective management of the funding portfolio and compliance with the donor requirements.
- Oversee development and usage of standard visibility materials, both for CCS and its donors.
- Visit CCS partner programming field sites on regular basis.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Ensure the consortium activities are compliant with donor and grant holder rules and regulations
- Manage the consortium budget and ensure partner expenditures are in line with agreed upon budgets
- Monitor expenditures and forecasts, ensure timely identification of under/over spends and propose and implement solutions
- Ensure timely submission of donor financial reports
Representation and Coordination
- Participate where relevant in external representation of the consortium with various groups, including donors, UN agencies, the World Bank and local authorities as feasible.
- Represent consortium progress to donors as well as within the Cash Working Group, the Emergency Livelihoods Cluster, other relevant clusters, working groups related to Social Protection, and other coordination fora as strategic.
- Share learning from the consortium with the greater humanitarian and development community within Sudan as well as regionally and globally, as relevant.
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 towards 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. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITYCommunications Officer AccountabilityREPORTS DIRECTLY TO: CCS DirectorWORKS DIRECTLY WITH: CCS Partner Agencies, Mercy Corps Programs, Operations and Finance teams, Regional and HQ Technical Support Units Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor degree or equivalent in related field, including public relations, journalism, and international affairs or commensurate field experience.
- 5+ years of experience providing coordination or management support to program implementation in a relevant field of expertise that includes:
- Preparing writing and analysis on programmatic activities;
- Budget management experience;
- Managing work plans;
- Representing programs with donors and external stakeholders.
- Proven ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders, and to play a leadership role in convening groups. Astute skills in relationship building and coordination.
- Experience working with ECHO, SDC and USAID/BHA, FCDO highly desired.
- Ability to represent the CCS to donors, NGO and UN counterparts, local groups, community members and local authorities is essential.
- Excellent writing and communications skills required.
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal Success FactorsThe successful Grants Coordinator will combine exceptional program development, program management, coordination and representation skills. S/He will have strong management skills and experience in building and maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will possess a high level of adaptability and be able to adjust to a constantly changing working environment. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.Living Conditions / Environmental ConditionsThe position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and it requires up to 30% travel to support consortium programming and operations in Sudan and neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia. This may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing.
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. 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.