Sudan INGO Forum Director
Role Summary
Detailed description available on the official website.
About the Organisation
Sudan is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, marked by widespread displacement, disease outbreaks, and confirmations of famine in several ‘hunger hotspots.’ In an effort to coordinate INGO efforts and establish a common voice for INGOs operating in Sudan, the INGO Forum was established in 2009 as a key representation platform. To date, the Forum, hosted by Mercy Corps, is made up of 78 members and observer members operating across the country
The INGO Forum is a permanent member of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG). It co-leads the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG), alongside OCHA and spearheads collective engagement with Government, other Authorities and donors. The Forum leads collective advocacy through its Advocacy Working Group (AWG) and in close coordination with the regional Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) and Member liaison offices in key donor/diplomatic capitals.
Since 2023, the situation in Sudan has dramatically shifted as state and non-state actors engage in conflict. Humanitarian access is severely restricted and the uneven presence of the United Nations (UN) exacerbates challenges to the delivery of efficient and wide-reaching humanitarian response. There is an urgent need for enhanced coordination amongst INGOs, and between INGOs and the UN, international aid community, and national/local responders. To this end, the core tenets of the INGO Forum’s work include:
- *The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)
- Coordinated aid delivery: Enhancing operational alignment across organizations to maximize humanitarian impact.
- Ensuring information flows: Between Forum members and external counterparts, including UN, national and local counterparts, and regional and global stakeholders.
- Common service provision: Offering essential support, analysis, and shared resources to facilitate NGO operations.
- Providing support and guidance: On access-related matters including engagement with external actors on access barriers and bureaucratic and administrative impediments; documenting and analyzing trends, lessons learned and best practices; and providing recommendations for collective positioning.
- Stakeholder coordination and representation: Engaging with donors, UN agencies, authorities, and the broader humanitarian system to advocate for improved response conditions.
- Convening and facilitation role: Ensuring Members are informed of matters discussed at external tables and can weigh in, and that matters concerning the collective are discussed and escalated to external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
- Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Minimum Requirements
- A graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
- 10+ years of humanitarian sector experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership or coordination roles.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination, access negotiations, and inter-agency mechanisms.
- Proven experience leading teams in complex humanitarian environments.
- Exceptional representation and diplomacy skills with experience engaging with UN agencies, donors, and host governments.
- Ability to operate independently and with significant strategic autonomy.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken).
- Prior experience working in Sudan or similar conflict-affected contexts (e.g. South Sudan, Syria, Yemen).
- Knowledge of Sudanese political and humanitarian dynamics.
- Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
- Familiarity with donor trends and international policy forums related to humanitarian response.
Working Conditions
The preferred base location is Port Sudan, Sudan, with the strong possibility of moving to Khartoum given the current movement of ministries, UN, INGOs and other actors in a phased approach during 2026. Significant travel is expected of up to 60% throughout Sudan, including in Darfur, as well as to Nairobi. Travel is expected in insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities, health care, power and water infrastructure and living conditions are limited. Housing for this role is in guesthouses with differing levels of conditions depending on the field location.
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