The Program / Department / Team Summary

The Solar-Powered Agro-Processing for Economic Livelihoods (SEAL) project, implemented by Mercy Corps and funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), aims to improve livelihoods, economic resilience, and food security in rural communities of Kassala State through the adoption of solar-powered agro-processing solutions. The project strengthens value addition and market linkages for smallholder farmers and MSMEs by supporting key activities: installation of solar-powered milling and drying equipment, capacity building for local technicians and entrepreneurs, business grants, and market access facilitation. By doing so, SEAL enhancesagricultural productivity, reduces post-harvest losses, creates income-generating opportunities, and promotes sustainable energy usage, ultimately contributing to inclusive economic growth and resilience in rural eastern Sudan.

The Position

The Project Officerwill be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the SEAL project activities in Kassala.This includes coordinating project activities, liaisingwith beneficiaries, local solar companies, microfinance institutions, and agricultural cooperatives, monitoring progress against targets, and ensuring adherence to Mercy Corps policies and procedures. The role is critical in ensuring the project achieves its objectives of increasing adoption of solar-powered agro-processing equipment and improving livelihoods for small and micro-entrepreneurs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning, Implementing, and Oversight of Program Activities:

• Directly supportthe Project Managerin planning, coordinating, and implementing SEAL project activities.
• Conduct assessments and mapping of farmer groups,cooperatives, solar companies, MSMEs, and other relevant stakeholders in rural Kassala.
• Facilitate community-level demonstrations and awareness campaigns to stimulate adoption of solar-powered agro-processing equipment.
• Conduct targetedtraining and technicalassistance for small and micro-entrepreneurs on sustainable agro-processing, equipment operation, and business management.
• Provide mentorship and follow-up to SMEs and larger agribusinesses adopting solar technologies.
• Monitor and supervise the performance of service providers, contractors, and projectpartners, ensuring compliance with project objectives.
• Support the development and strengthening of business relationships between farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and financial institutions to facilitate access to financing.
• Review reportsfrom private sectorpartners and preparemilestone-based payment requestsand other project documentation.

Administrative Support:

• Maintain comprehensive projectfiles, records, and databases.
• Assist in preparing project documents, reports,presentations, and donorupdates.
• Coordinate project meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
• Oversee logistical arrangements including procurement, travel,and field activity support.

Data Management:

• Collect, organize, and maintain project data, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Assist in the analysis of project data and contribute to reporting on key outputsand outcomes.

Monitoringand Evaluation:

• Support implementation of the projectmonitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.
• Collect and verify data on projectactivities and outcomes,ensuring alignment with logframe indicators.
• Contribute to the preparation of progress and evaluation reportsfor internal and external stakeholders.

StakeholderCoordination:

• Maintain activeengagement with projectstakeholders, including farmers,cooperatives, solar companies, MSMEs, consultants, and government agencies.
• Coordinate communication, meetings, and partnerships between project actorsto enhance project effectiveness.

Capacity Building:

• Support the design, delivery,and facilitation of training programsand workshops for beneficiaries, local solar companies, and cooperatives.
• Provide follow-upand administrative supportfor capacity-building activities, ensuring participation and knowledge transfer.

Collaboration/Networking, Representation and Coordination

• Represent the program to the Donor, Government officialsand other stakeholders as and when required to.
• Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing the program at local coordination meetings as assigned.
• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with State, locality and lower-level leaders,representing Mercy Corpsand soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed.
• Lead coordination between financial service providers, fintechsand other PrivateSector Partners
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Europe and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work closely with the monitoring and evaluation team to conductstudies, to capturedata for measuring output and impact of the program; and to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field.
• Prepare and submit timelyweekly, monthly, and quarterly reportsthat will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queriesif and when necessary and maintain proper filing system.
• Provide followups, recommendations and solutions wherethere are challenges during implementation.
• Other dutiesas assigned.

Security

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

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, includingsafeguarding 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

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: Projectofficer, finance team, procurement team and operations team

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Rural Development, RenewableEnergy, Engineering, Business Administration, Business Studies, Agriculture, or a related field.

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in project management, preferably in agriculture, renewable energy, or rural development.

• Experience workingwith smallholder farmers,agro-processors, or MSMEsis highly desirable.
• Familiarity with solar energy solutions, productive use of energy (PUE), and agro-processing technologies is an advantage
• Good verbal and writtenEnglish communication, organizational, and negotiation skills.
• Strong computerskills particularly office applications such as word, excel, Power point etc.
• Demonstrated adaptability, creativity, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and self-accountability.
• Excellent teamworkabilities, interpersonal and problem-solving skills,attention to detail.
• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
• Strong organizational and report-writing skills.

Success Factors

• Strong leadership working with operation and program staff.
• Capacity to represent MC Europe with government officials, partners and leaders.
• Demonstrated abilityto communicate effectively with team membersand other stakeholders.
• Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Demonstrated abilitywork independently and effectively in extreme conditions.
• Proven abilityto take initiative and be accountable for results.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kassala state and it requires up to 70% travel to project fields, which may include travel to insecurelocations where freedomof 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.

Accountabilityto 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kassala state and it requires up to 70% travel to project fields, which may include travel to insecurelocations where freedomof 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 membersto dedicate 5% of theirtime to learningactivities 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 differentbackgrounds, 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, militaryveteran 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, communitymembers, 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 InteragencyMisconduct 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 witnessor experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).