About CRS

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our people of all faiths and Secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Job Summary:

As a member of the CRS Sudan Community Resilience (Agriculture) project, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing CRS’s work serving the poor and vulnerable.  You will provide hands-on technical support and field oversight into Consumer Organizations (COs) focused on establishment and management of the COs, systems and processes related to sales of production to the consumers as a cooperative organization. 

You will be responsible for providing technical and implementation support and oversight on activities related to Consumer Organizations (COs) including “contracting / and signing of agreements” and working closely with the local partners, coordinating and reporting on all project activities and ensure close follow-ups on COs and linkages with SMEs. You will build and maintain relationships with project targeted COs, conduct market research to stay up to date on market trends, commodity prices and strategies to enrich the COs/Sales sector of the project. 

You should be able to respond to learning needs, develop and conduct capacity building for partner staff.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Co-lead and support the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. 
• Support local partners in collaboration with the Senior Project Officers, Project officers and Project Private Sector Engagement Manager related to the establishment of COs including community mobilization, due diligence, contracting systems and processes for effective functioning of COs.   
• Support all assessments of COs such as location identification, mapping consumers, inventory requirements. 
• Support in regular market research (analyze production price, efficiency of sales strategies, sale price etc.), support in implementation of consumer management guidelines.
• Ensure that all grant and/or contract documentation is complete before submission for finalization, including organizing physical and online information sessions for potential COs.  
• Maintain close relationships with COs, SMEs and Farmers organizations in coordination with Agribusiness and FPOs team, to identify bottlenecks and ensure effective solutions. 
• Support in capacity building of local partners and COs on leadership, governance and management of wholesale food distribution operations. 
• Participate in partnership and collaboration meetings and events in the areas of Consumer Organizations.

Basic Qualifications

• A degree in International Development, Agriculture/ Agribusiness, Economics, or in a similar field is preferred. Minimum of 2 years of work experience in the field of demonstrated experience with production and marketing in large and complex project in Sudan, ideally in the field of Agribusiness activities (this could be outside of non-profit organizations).
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Experience in working directly in the sector of Consumer organizations or cooperatives especially in marketing and distribution of wholesale food in Sudan is an added advantage
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience in high quality assessments, monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience in managing relations with multiple stakeholders would be a plus. 

Required Languages - Fluent written and spoken Arabic and professional level of written and spoken English required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 70% to project areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to write good quality reports.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience in participatory planning process, and community engagement
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

What We Offer: 

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting men, women, boys and girls safe from abuse, exploitation, and harm. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position, especially those from marginalized and people with disabilities backgrounds

CRS's emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a crèche at

the office, and flexible working hours where possible.

 CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Submission location: - 

If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume and copies of your education and work certificates to Lobour Office - Wad Madani, Al Gazira Ensure that your cover letter or resume has a phone number where you can be reached.