Deputy Project Director – (THABAT PP) Private Sector Engagement

About the Opportunity

Position Location: Kassala with up to 70% travel to support field offices
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
This position is contingent on donor funding approval.
Risk Level: x Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1

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.

Program Summary

The Sudan - Enhancing Community Resilience (THABAT) Project is a 130 million USD project funded by the Sudan Transition and Recovery Support (STARS) multi-donor trust fund, administered by the World Bank. The Project is expected to run until 2029 – but with an initial period of 3 years, ending in September 2026. The Project activities are planned for the first two years. The Project’s Development Objective (PDO) is to improve access to basic services and food security in Select Communities in the Republic of Sudan (“Sudan”).

General Position Summary

We are seeking a Deputy Project Director – Private Sector Engagement to guide the technical design and implementation of agricultural and market systems activities under the Sudan - Enhancing Community Resilience (THABAT) Project. The role focuses on strengthening market-driven approaches to boost agricultural productivity, develop value chains, and enhance local markets in Kassala, River Nile, and Northern States.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership and Program Management
• Strategic Planning and Development
• Identifying and Building Partnerships
• Project Team Management and Capacity Building
• Stakeholder Engagement, Collaboration and Representation
• Monitoring, Adaptive Management and Reporting
• Security
• Other Duties

Supervisory Responsibility

Private Sector and Partnership Manager

Knowledge And Experience

The Deputy Project Director focuses on building and managing strategic collaborations with private sector actors within a specific market system to drive positive change and achieve program objectives. The selected candidate is expected to have:

• Master’s degree in economic development, agribusiness or other relevant field is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in international development or related field, including three years in a senior management position, managing large teams.
• Proven financial management skills.
• Technical knowledge in market systems development/private sector engagement related work and in crisis contexts.
• Experience working in Sudan strongly preferred. Candidates with Sudanese citizenship strongly preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Deputy Project Director – Private Sector Engagement will bring strong expertise in market systems development and private sector engagement, with a proven ability to lead adaptive, market-driven programs in complex environments. S/he will be skilled in designing and managing systemic interventions that strengthen value chains, expand market access, and foster SME growth. Strong relationship-building and communication skills are essential for engaging private sector partners, government stakeholders, and donors.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kassala and it requires up to 70% 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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.