Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to address humanitarian crises, it operates in over 40 countries worldwide, partnering with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities. The organization focuses on disaster response, resilience building, and market systems, aiming to create sustainable change in the lives of vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Policy and advisor" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Advocacy Advisor for Mercy Corps will play a crucial role in the Sudan crisis response, which aims to address the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations affected by conflict. This position involves leading advocacy efforts in collaboration with the Sudan country team and the Global Policy and Advocacy team. The advisor will ensure that effective policies and practices are implemented by various actors to facilitate a principled humanitarian response in Sudan. The role requires close collaboration with field teams and various internal departments to utilize available resources and data for enhancing advocacy objectives. The advisor will also be responsible for writing policy-relevant documents and representing Mercy Corps in relevant forums, ensuring that the organization’s advocacy efforts are informed by field-based evidence and aligned with the country strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Policy and Advocacy Advisor include updating the Mercy Corps Sudan Advocacy Strategy, coordinating with team members to enhance linkages between policy advocacy and programmatic efforts, monitoring policy issues and regional politics, establishing relationships with other humanitarian actors, and proposing advocacy events. The advisor will also facilitate training for team members on advocacy, develop advocacy materials, and represent Mercy Corps in various forums and meetings. Additionally, the advisor will track progress towards advocacy objectives and identify new opportunities for engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a BA/S or equivalent degree, preferably in political science, human rights, humanitarian studies, law, or public policy. A minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience is required. Proven communication skills in English and Arabic, both verbal and written, are essential. Knowledge of the Sudan context and humanitarian response is preferred, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively under tight deadlines. Engagement with external stakeholders, including peer agencies and donors, is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The position requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as political science, human rights, humanitarian studies, law, or public policy. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of advocacy and policy-making in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 3-5 years of work experience in a relevant field, demonstrating a proven ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with diverse teams. Experience in advocacy, policy development, and engagement with humanitarian actors is highly desirable, particularly in the context of Sudan or similar environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in both languages is crucial for advocacy efforts. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role with a duration of five months, potentially extending beyond May 2026, depending on funding availability. The consultant will report to the New Initiatives and Partnership Manager and will work closely with various team members, including the Sudan director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and the Global Policy and Advocacy team. The role is designed to be full-time, with a focus on achieving the objectives outlined in the Sudan advocacy plan. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment.