Area Coordination Lead

Job Posting Organization:
The INGO Forum was established in 2009 as a key representation platform for International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) operating in Sudan. The forum currently comprises 51 members and 17 observers, working across the country, including in some of the most challenging areas. The INGO Forum plays a crucial role in coordinating humanitarian efforts, advocating for improved response conditions, and engaging with various stakeholders, including government authorities and donors. It is a permanent member of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and the Inter-coordination" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), co-leading the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) alongside OCHA. The forum's mission is to enhance operational alignment and maximize humanitarian impact through coordinated aid delivery, common service provision, and stakeholder coordination.

Job Overview:
The Area Coordination Lead position has been newly created to strengthen coordination across various workstreams and enhance the quality of support provided to members of the INGO Forum. This role focuses on improving coherence, coordination, and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance at the area level, while also developing information systems to facilitate better coordination between area and central levels. The Area Coordination Lead will be responsible for coordinating among members to improve evidence-based action, information sharing, and consultative processes for collective positioning. This position requires regular engagement with Member Country Directors, OCHA, the Forum secretariat, INSO, and local authorities to ensure that collective positioning and messaging are representative of the area-based Member constituency. The role also involves deputizing for the Forum Director and providing surge support to other roles within the Forum as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Area Coordination Lead will have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Coordination and Representation: Ensure inclusive gathering of Member positions on topics for discussion at various coordination platforms. Regularly liaise with members and external stakeholders to promote improved coordination and information sharing. Engage with sub-national authorities to facilitate understanding of collective positions and impacts of humanitarian action. Develop a network of local contacts to monitor and analyze key access constraints.
• Information Sharing: Ensure transparent coordination mechanisms and regular information sharing between the forum, UN, authorities, and other stakeholders. Compile and share lessons learned and best practices on strategic or operational issues. Identify gaps in research and analysis that would benefit the Forum’s membership. Oversee context analysis and contribute to monthly bulletins and other publications.
• Representation and Administration: Contribute to recruitment and provide leadership for area-based staff. Act as the Director for the Sudan forum in key coordination groups and external meetings when required. Build relationships with member NGOs, media professionals, and other organizations.
• security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security: Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies, and ensure team members operate in a secure environment.
• Accountability: Support efforts toward accountability to beneficiaries and international standards, engaging communities as equal partners in project design, monitoring, and evaluation.

Required Qualifications:
Essential requirements for this position include: 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, including at least 4 years in leadership and management roles. Experience living and working in complex humanitarian or fragile contexts, with a strong understanding of humanitarian principles and coordination mechanisms. Proven experience managing humanitarian field operations and understanding current humanitarian trends. Experience representing organizations in humanitarian coordination platforms. Skills in developing and updating Terms of Reference (ToRs), Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs), and other management tools. Strong network and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage a diverse workload in a complex environment. Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a graduate degree in a relevant field or have equivalent experience that demonstrates their capability to fulfill the responsibilities of the Area Coordination Lead position.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian sector, with a minimum of 4 years in leadership and management roles. Candidates should have experience working in complex humanitarian or fragile contexts, demonstrating a strong understanding of humanitarian principles and coordination mechanisms. Proven experience in managing humanitarian field operations and representing organizations in inter-agency platforms is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, both written and spoken. Working knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable, as it would facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders and authorities.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position based in Geneina, with up to 30% travel required, including to insecure locations. Housing for this role is provided through the Norwegian Refugee Council in Geneina. The position reports directly to the INGO Forum Director and works closely with the Forum secretariat and other area coordination leads. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities but requires strong collaboration with various stakeholders.