Access 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 more than 40 countries worldwide, partnering with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities. The organization is committed to improving the lives of those affected by disaster and hardship, and it has a significant presence in various regions, including Sudan, where it plays a crucial role in humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Access Advisor is a senior member of the Sudan INGO Forum Secretariat, tasked with leading the Forum’s collective engagement on humanitarian access. This role requires a dual focus on both system-level coordination and advocacy for INGOs, necessitating a nuanced understanding of the priorities and challenges faced by various stakeholders, including authorities, inter-agency counterparts, and donors. The Access Advisor will co-chair the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) alongside OCHA, ensuring that the group functions effectively as a strategic advisory body. The position also involves developing and implementing the Forum’s Access Engagement Strategy, which articulates collective INGO priorities and positions on access issues. The Access Advisor will be responsible for managing relationships among Forum members and ensuring compliance with collective strategies to mitigate risks associated with humanitarian access.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Co-Chairing the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG): Lead and facilitate HAWG meetings, set agendas, and ensure the group functions as a strategic advisory body. Provide evidence-based advice and recommendations on access trends and constraints, including quarterly reporting on the HCT Access Strategy. Oversee HAWG workstreams and ensure follow-through on agreed action plans. Develop clear escalation thresholds for issues requiring collective or senior-level attention.
• Forum Access Engagement Strategy: Lead the finalization and implementation of the Forum’s Access Engagement Strategy, maintaining common Forum positions on barriers to access. Translate collective positions into practical guidance for members.
• Member Coordination and Capacity Building: Serve as the primary access focal point for Forum members, facilitating structured information exchange and access briefings. Coordinate training on access negotiation and IHL.
• Analysis, Monitoring, and Reporting: Maintain up-to-date access and conflict analysis, monitor access trends, and provide structured updates to the Forum and Steering Committee. Draft high-quality access analyses and reports.
• Safeguarding Responsibilities: Integrate safeguarding principles into work, ensuring respect for the dignity and well-being of participants and team members.

Required Qualifications:
A graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience is required. Candidates must have at least 10 years of experience in access-focused roles within NGOs, the UN system, or other humanitarian/development actors. A strong understanding of humanitarian principles, international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law (IHL), and coordination mechanisms is essential. Proven experience in managing humanitarian access analysis, negotiation, and strategy work is necessary, along with experience representing organizations in humanitarian coordination platforms. Strong data analysis skills and the ability to manage a diverse workload in a complex environment are also required. Fluency in English, both 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 Access Advisor role. This educational background should ideally include studies related to international relations, humanitarian assistance, or a similar discipline that equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in access-focused roles, particularly within NGOs, the UN system, or other humanitarian/development contexts. Candidates should have experience living and working in complex humanitarian or fragile environments, demonstrating a strong understanding of humanitarian principles and operational coordination mechanisms. Proven experience in managing humanitarian access analysis and negotiation is crucial, as is a demonstrable understanding of current humanitarian trends and issues.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, both in written and spoken forms. While not required, a working knowledge of Arabic and French is considered a plus, as it may enhance communication with local stakeholders and facilitate access negotiations in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in either Nyala or Khartoum, with up to 40% travel required to support operations in other areas, including potentially insecure locations. Accommodation will be arranged in a guesthouse through Mercy Corps or another hosting organization. The organization promotes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, adhering to strict safeguarding and ethical standards.