ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

The Program / Department / Team (THABAT AF / Basic Services / WASH)

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004 and currently has a country office in Port Sudan and field offices in South Darfur, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Kassala, River Nile, Northern and Gedaref states. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, resilience, and Market Systems Development.

Mercy Corps’ Sudan crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Sudanese and other conflict-affected people across the country. Mercy Corps Sudan is recognized as a leader in market systems, agricultural, and food security and building on this experience, the Mercy Corps Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so.

THABAT AF - Enhancing Community Resilience Project is an initiative funded by the World Bank which has two interlinked components:

Component 1: Community Led Basic Service Delivery. This component supports: (i) delivery of improved community led basic services; (ii) temporary engagement of frontline workers and volunteers in select sectors; (iii) project management and technical assistance costs; and (iv) technical assistance and training to select local authorities.

Component 2: Improving Food Security. This component supports: (i) increased resilience and production of select crops and protection of livestock assets in rural areas that supply food to the target communities; (ii) agricultural value chains; (iii) the scaling-up and strengthening of community consumer cooperatives and organizations and community food centers that distribute agricultural outputs and provide affordable food to vulnerable groups; and (iv) project management and implementation costs.

The Position 

The Project Officer - WASH will be responsible for implementing WASH activities aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable populations in Gedaref under the THABAT AF program, including IDPs, and underserved communities. This role requires close collaboration with local health authorities, community groups, and program stakeholders to deliver essential WASH services and strengthen community WASH systems.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Implementation and Coordination

 

• Coordinate the implementation of WASH activities under the THABAT AF program.
• Support of implementation of WASH strategy and appropriate methodology in water supply management, sanitation and hygiene promotion according to the project plan.
• Carry out the selection and design and construction/rehabilitation and upgrading of water systems, including abstraction, storage, treatment, and distribution for new and/or existing systems.
• Ensure proper technical requirements, installations, operation and maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure and solarization works.
• Ensure proper operation of water and sanitation infrastructure, including boreholes, latrines, handwashing stations, and water storage facilities.
• Promote safe WASH practices, including appropriate use and maintenance of WASH facilities and services through community training sessions, awareness campaigns, and focus group discussions.
• Ensure appropriate community involvement in the design and delivery of essential WASH services and facilities to ensure community ownership and sustainability. 
• Work with WASH Frontline Workers, WASH and hygiene committees and community volunteers to ensure the effective functioning of WASH infrastructure, especially water supply.
• Provide capacity-building support to community members, volunteers, and front-line workers on WASH management, emergency response, and basic repairs.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Build and maintain relationships with local leaders, WASH committees, and community- based organizations to encourage active community participation in health and nutrition activities.
• Organize community events, focus group discussions, and feedback sessions to gather input from beneficiaries and refine program approaches based on community needs.
• Act as a focal point for community feedback, ensuring that program interventions are culturally sensitive and responsive to local concerns.
• Collaborate with local government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and integration of WASH interventions.
• Liaise with Mercy Corps ’other programs in Gedaref to promote synergies and enhance the impact of cross-sectoral efforts.
• Participate in WASH Coordination/Cluster meetings, workshops, and other forums to share insights, learnings, and best practices with partners.

Capacity Building and Support for Local WASH Systems

• Collaborate with local government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and integration of WASH interventions with broader THABAT AF programs.
• Liaise with Mercy Corps’ other programs in Gedaref to promote synergies and enhance the impact of cross-sectoral efforts.
• Participate in WASH Coordination/Cluster meetings, workshops, and other forums to share insights, learnings, and best practices with partners.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect and record data related to WASH activities, including water quality testing, infrastructure assessments, and hygiene promotion outcomes.
• Prepare and submit regular progress reports to the Program Manager, detailing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation team in assessing program impact, contributing to needs assessments, and making recommendations for future WASH interventions.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure all WASH activities comply with Mercy Corps’ policies, donor guidelines, and local regulations, particularly in areas of water safety and public health standards.
• Promote a culture of accountability and transparency in all WASH interventions, ensuring community feedback is integrated into program improvements.
• Uphold Mercy Corps’ safeguarding standards and inform community members of their rights, including access to reporting channels for any WASH-related concerns.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Safeguarding 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability:

Reports Directly To: THABAT AF Project Manager

Works Directly With: Technical Lead, WASH Officer, Health Officers, Education Officers, GBV Officers, MEL/CARM Officers, Project Consultants, Project Assistant, Partnership Officers

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, water resources engineering/hydrology, environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in WASH programming, preferably within a humanitarian or development context.
• Technical knowledge in WASH infrastructure, water quality management, and hygiene promotion.
• Technical capacity of using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and relevant software applications
• A certificate in project management or equivalent coursework is desirable.
• Proven experience in community mobilization, capacity building, and implementing hygiene behavior change initiatives. 
• Strong understanding of WASH standards, SPHERE guidelines and relevant local policies.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and remote areas for field activities. 
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including community groups, local health authorities, and other NGOs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in Arabic and proficiency in English.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and remote areas to conduct field activities.

Success Factors 

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A professional standard of program, finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The post must bewiling to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Gedaref, and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.  Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard. 

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).