Roving Area Coordination Lead

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to humanitarian crises, it operates in more than 40 countries worldwide, partnering with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities. The organization has a significant presence in Sudan, particularly through the INGO Forum, which was established in 2009 to coordinate the efforts of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in the country, especially in response to the severe humanitarian crises that have emerged.

Job Overview:
The Roving Area Coordination Lead position is designed to provide flexible coordination capacity across various response areas in Sudan, particularly focusing on emerging humanitarian hotspots and operational gaps that require immediate support. This role is crucial in enhancing humanitarian coordination efforts in newly accessible or under-coordinated environments, especially in the Kordofan region. The Roving Area Coordination Lead will support area-based coordination structures, facilitate collective humanitarian engagement, and strengthen information sharing among members in complex contexts. The position may also involve filling gaps and providing continuity across the Forum’s coordination architecture, including supporting existing Area Coordination Leads during periods of increased demand or staffing shortages. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including local authorities and operational partners, to ensure effective humanitarian access and response coherence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Roving Area Coordination Lead will be responsible for establishing and strengthening area-based coordination mechanisms in emerging hotspot areas, particularly in Kordofan. This includes providing surge support to existing Area Coordination Leads during high-pressure periods, ensuring inclusive gathering of member positions for discussions at coordination platforms, and representing the INGO Forum in key coordination groups. The role also involves regular liaison with members and external stakeholders to promote improved coordination and information sharing, as well as facilitating linkages between area-based and national-level coordination structures. Additionally, the Lead will compile and share lessons learned, support context analysis in evolving response areas, and maintain relationships with national NGO networks to support localization efforts. Administrative tasks include timely completion of internal trackers and reporting documents, onboarding of area-based coordination staff, and readiness for rapid deployment as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, along with at least 10 years of relevant experience in NGOs, the UN system, or other humanitarian/development actors, including a minimum of 4 years in leadership and management roles. Experience in complex humanitarian contexts, strong understanding of humanitarian principles and operations, and demonstrated experience in humanitarian coordination and emergency response management are essential. Candidates should also have proven experience in managing field operations in insecure environments, representing organizations in coordination platforms, and developing management tools. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are required, along with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in fluid operational contexts. Fluency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A graduate degree in a relevant field is required, which may include areas such as international relations, humanitarian studies, or development studies. Equivalent experience in a related field may also be considered, particularly for candidates with extensive practical experience in humanitarian coordination and operations.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant experience, with a focus on humanitarian coordination, emergency response management, and field operations in complex and insecure environments. Candidates should have a strong background in managing humanitarian operations and responding to rapidly evolving crises, as well as experience in representing organizations in inter-agency coordination platforms.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. While not required, a working knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable and would be beneficial for effective communication in the operational context of Sudan.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, with frequent travel required to insecure and operationally constrained locations. The role demands a high degree of flexibility and responsiveness to emerging operational priorities. Mercy Corps emphasizes ongoing learning, encouraging team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, adhering to safeguarding principles and ethical standards.