About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. 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.

CRS Sudan provides emergency assistance throughout Sudan, with core funding from WFP, USAID/BHA, and UNICEF. Key sectoral areas for CRS Sudan include food security, livelihoods (on-farm, off-farm and non-farm), nutrition, health, peacebuilding and natural resource management. CRS Sudan manages the financial and procurement needs of the Sudan INGO Forum, based on close coordination with INGO Steering Committee.

Sudan INGO Forum:

The Sudan INGO Forum is a voluntary and independent networking body of over 50international NGOs that supports its members to effectively respond to the humanitarian and development needs in Sudan. It supports its members in the principled and effective delivery of humanitarian and development assistance so that members continue to save and improve lives in the country. All members of the INGO Forum strive to provide professional assistance to the Sudanese people regardless of gender, ethnic background, political affiliation, or religious belief.

As a network and membership body  INGOs, the Sudan INGOs Forum provides a unique platform for inducting INGO Country Directors into the regulatory environment of Sudan, providing networking opportunities and capacity building for INGOs, sharing best practices in humanitarian and development assistance and information exchanges, forging collaborations between the international INGOs and national NGOs, coordinating the collective voices of the community, and joint advocacy for enabling environment for INGOs operating in the country.

The functions of the INGO Forum Coordination Secretariat include: information sharing and coordination, security advising and crisis management, external engagement, policy engagement, INGOs networking and capacity enhancement.

Job Summary:

The INGO Forum Secretariat Associate is a middle-management position responsible for the management of the essential INGO Forum Secretariat functions, facilitating coordination between members of the forum, the elected Steering Committee, and external stakeholders.

The role entails ensuring effective information exchange, supporting the work of the Steering Committee, promoting common positions and agreed interests of the INGOs Forum.

The INGO Forum Secretariat Associate is also responsible for sustaining productive relationships between NGOs, Government, UN, Donors and diplomatic missions in country, on behalf of and as instructed by the INGO Forum Steering Committee.

He/She is responsible for the management of the Secretariat functions and regular communication to the INGOs Steering Committee.

This position reports to the Chairperson of the INGO Forum Steering Committee (SC) as well as indirectly reports to the CRS Moafa Grant Manager. The Chairperson manages the daily tasks of the Associate; the CRS Moafa Grant Manager provides human resource management of the Associate.

Management of the INGO Forum Secretariat Functions

1. Day-to-day management of Secretariat functions. The Associate will support in planning and executing the budget as well as writing reports. This will be done in close coordination with CRS as well as under the guidance of the SC Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer.
2. Support the SC in fundraising for the INGO Forum and Secretariat, participates in developing funding proposals.
3. Support the Steering Committee to develop strategic annual priorities.
4. Act as focal point for information sharing with and among INGOs on relevant issues and manage membership process, mailing lists and communication products.
5. Maintain information flow on operational constraints and policy related issues affecting INGOs in country.
6. As assigned by the INGO Forum Steering Committee Chair and members, participate at high-level fora including UN forums, multi-donor meetings and other representative bodies as required. Issues will be agreed by the Steering Committee.

Coordination and Communication

1. Ensure transparent coordination mechanisms and regular information-sharing between INGOs and other stakeholders.
2. Schedule INGO Forum and Steering Committee meetings, draft agendas, invite external speakers, take notes and follow up on relevant action points
3. Along with the INGO Steering Committee Chair and members, attend on behalf of the INGO Forum key meetings as assigned, with donors, UN, and ensure the dissemination of written feedback
4. Facilitate visits of advocacy groups, researchers, donors, partners working on Sudan
5. Ensure the research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices on strategic or operational issues and actively share information with the wider NGO community and other coordination platforms
6. Keep a document repository for the INGO Forum members and maintain common information products such as INGO Forum website, Drop-box, etc.
7. Together with and as assigned by the INGO Forum Steering Committee, liaise with OCHA, Sector Working Groups and Clusters, ensuring key messages are shared and activities and advocacy messages are coordinated and consistent.

Partnership Relations

1. Work to ensure effective collaboration between International and National NGOs
2. Provide an accessible first point of contact for general inquiries regarding the work of INGOs in Sudan
3. Provide orientation briefings to new Country Directors.
4. Provide information, briefings, presentations on the function and structure of the INGO Forum, best practices and lessons learned to other stakeholders upon request
5. Maintain and/or develop productive relationships with key individuals in relevant government ministries, civil society, foreign and local NGO community, UN Missions, Diplomatic Corps, other donors, etc. as assigned by the INGO Forum SC Chair.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum two years of progressive leadership experience working with UN, NGOs and/or Donor agencies preferably with experience in post-conflict contexts or fragile environments
• Graduate qualifications in international relations, communication, business administration or another relevant field
• Demonstrated coordination experience in multi-agency forums
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse teams
• Documented skills in developing proposals, budgets and report writing
• Strong understanding of the UN system, integrated missions, the Humanitarian Reform and principles of the Transformative Agenda
• Significant understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts or fragile environments
• Proven communication, public speaking, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Previous work experience in Sudan or fragile environments desired

Personal Skills

• Strong sense of integrity; able to handle sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality
• Self-starter; action-oriented, able to champion new initiatives and influence decision-makers
• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Communicates effectively with a diverse set of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders
• Great sense of social ease, good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and the community
• Promotes inclusivity, diversity and equality
• Willing and able to work in remote field location with minimal amenities
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required Languages:English language required, Arabic language preferred.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Key Working Relationships: This consultant will be supervised directly by the INGO Forum Steering Committee Chairperson. The consultant will be indirectly supervised by the CRS Moafa Grant Manager.