Area-Based Coordination Coordinator

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 and support communities in need, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on providing bold solutions to help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. With a mission to alleviate suffering and promote sustainable development, Mercy Corps partners with various stakeholders, including local communities, governments, and other NGOs, to implement effective programs that address the root causes of poverty and conflict.

Job Overview:
The Area-Based Coordination Coordinator (ABC Coordinator) plays a crucial role in facilitating multi-sectoral humanitarian coordination at the state level in Sudan, particularly in Darfur. This position is designed to support collective planning among humanitarian actors, identify service gaps, and improve referral pathways. The ABC Coordinator will act as a neutral convener, ensuring that all humanitarian actors, including INGOs, NNGOs, UN agencies, and local responders, can participate in and benefit from joint planning and alignment processes. The role requires strong facilitation, diplomacy, and contextual knowledge of the humanitarian landscape in Sudan, as it is not an implementation or oversight role but rather a facilitative coordination role embedded within an operational agency. The ABC Coordinator will engage with various stakeholders, including OCHA and other relevant groups, to ensure that emergency assessments inform broader planning and that existing national and cluster-level tools are applied effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programmatic Coordination & Strategic Alignment: Lead and facilitate the ABC platform at the state level, ensuring regular coordination meetings are inclusive and solutions-oriented. Participate in A-ICCG meetings to ensure alignment with sector strategies, especially regarding technical standards and referral pathways. Facilitate joint planning between humanitarian actors across all clusters and collaborate closely with SI’s ERM and 48Hr ERRM. Identify key response gaps and facilitate joint resource planning or referrals to address them.
• Information Management & Interoperability: Maintain an up-to-date service mapping platform capturing who is doing what, where, and with what capacity. Facilitate the rollout of shared tools, including multi-sectoral registration formats and referral trackers. Track and document referrals between partners and ensure integration into OCHA and cluster IM systems.
• Access: Support engagement with local authorities to discuss and advocate on access-related issues.
• Learning, Peer Exchange, and Capacity Strengthening: Support learning exchanges between actors on best practices in integrated programming and identify local capacity gaps. Capture lessons learned and contribute to adaptive management of the ABC model.
• Safeguarding Responsibilities: Encourage equitable participation of local actors and actively integrate safeguarding into work practices. Promote open communication and respect for the dignity of participants and team members.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in humanitarian affairs, development studies, or social sciences, with a Master’s degree preferred. A minimum of 5 years of experience in humanitarian response, coordination, or multisectoral programming is required. Candidates should have experience engaging with INGOs, NNGOs, UN agencies, and coordination mechanisms. Proven facilitation, negotiation, and coordination skills, especially in conflict-affected contexts, are essential. Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred. Knowledge of the Darfur context and local actor landscape is a significant asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in humanitarian affairs, development studies, or social sciences. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred, indicating a higher level of academic achievement and understanding of complex humanitarian issues.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian response, coordination, or multisectoral programming. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with various humanitarian actors, including INGOs, NNGOs, and UN agencies, and should demonstrate strong facilitation and negotiation skills, particularly in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, while proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication and coordination among diverse stakeholders in the humanitarian landscape of Sudan.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Nyala, South Darfur, and may require travel to various locations, including insecure areas with limited amenities. The living conditions are described as remote, with shared housing and limited medical services available. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities but requires strong collaboration with various stakeholders. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, adhering to ethical standards and safeguarding principles.