Private Sector Manager

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.

ProgramSummary

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.

The Sudan Somoud – 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.

General Position Summary

The Private Sector Manager will lead the development and management of agriculture and SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) contracts and grants under Components 2.1 and 2.2 of the SOMOUD 2 program. The role involves strategic planning, project management, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement to support the development of sustainable agriculture and SME projects within the region. As a core member of the PMU, the Private Sector Manager will ensure that all private sector initiatives under the program align with the program’s objectives and are effectively managed to deliver impactful results.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities under Components 2.1 and 2.2, focusing on agricultural development and SME growth.

• Oversee the development, negotiation, and execution of contracts and grants with private sector entities and SMEs to achieve project goals.

• Ensure timely delivery of milestones and objectives as per the project work plan, ensuring alignment with SOMOUD 2 program objectives.

• Prepare and manage project budgets, ensuring financial compliance and efficient resource allocation under Components 2.1 and 2.2.

• Develop tools and frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the progress of agriculture and SME initiatives under the project.

• Develop and implement a strategy for engaging the private sector in agriculture and SME growth, fostering innovative solutions and partnerships.

• Identify and promote opportunities for private sector engagement in the agriculture sector and related SMEs within the context of the program.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to design interventions that build the capacity of local businesses, agribusinesses, and farmers to enhance productivity and market access.

• Represent the SOMOUD 2 program in meetings and forums with donors, government bodies, private sector entities, and local stakeholders.

• Develop and maintain relationships with local and international private sector partners, financial institutions, and development organizations to leverage resources and expertise.

• Advocate for policies and reforms that enable an enabling environment for SME and agriculture sector growth in Gedaref and surrounding regions.

• Ensure effective communication and coordination with project partners, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team responsible for implementing the agriculture and SME components of the project, ensuring clarity of roles, expectations, and professional development.

• Promote a collaborative team environment, fostering innovation and problem-solving.

• Support staff in delivering high-quality technical outputs, adhering to timelines, and meeting project objectives.

• Provide regular progress updates and reports to the Chief of Party and PMU, identifying challenges, risks, and areas for improvement.

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting on project activities, finances, and outcomes in accordance with donor requirements.

• Assist with project compliance including all relevant contractual and regulatory obligations, including those related to financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards.

• Support the development of documentation, lessons learned, and best practices for dissemination and replication in other regions.

• 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.

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

• This position requires a Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Management, Agriculture, Engineering, Economic or Social Science.

• An experienced (at least 5 years) social or development expert with substantive knowledge and experience of private sector engagement initiatives for development projects;

• Proven experience in Market Systems Development Livelihoods, Resilience, Financial inclusion, Renewable energy, Social Accountability and/or related fields in a management capacity

• Has demonstrated experience/understanding of both humanitarian and development work and how solutions and resilience work can bridge them

• Administrative capacity and planning skills to manage a large team of national staff of multiple sectors.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in written.

• Proven solid analytical and problem solving skills.

• Excellent writing and verbal skills in English is required.

• Extensive travel to program areas is required.

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 be willing 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 , which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MercyCorps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 e-learning 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 ([email protected]).