Overall purpose of the role
HOPE-S (Healing, Outreach, Protection, Empowerment) is a UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 5-years programme designed to tackle gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan. The consortium led by DRC, and composed of Norwegian Church Aid, Trocaire and Zenab along with local NGOs, has been set-up to implement and manage the HOPE Sudan programme.
As the consortium lead of this project, DRC Sudan is seeking an experienced Chief of Party (CoP) with exceptional leadership/ senior management and protection experience as well as the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes across Sudan.
The CoP will be responsible for 1) providing vision, leadership and direction to the Consortium and its activities (2) leading the Consortium Management Unit (CMU), (3) coordination and overseeing of the quality and progress of the implementation of the consortium, (4) coordination and fulfillment of the governance structure, (5) cooperative and constructive coordination with FCDO and relevant stakeholders, including external representation of the consortium based on agreement with the partners.
Responsibilities
Programme Implementation & Strategy
- Responsible for providing vision, leadership and direction to the Consortium and its activities.
- Ensure the consortium has a coherent strategy that responds to the requirements of people the project intends to support, with necessary safeguarding measures in place
- Overall responsible for programme and budget monitoring, leading all aspects of the implementation and consolidation of an anticipated multi-year intervention, coordinating with all partners and their efforts.
- Ensure high-quality technical program monitoring through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the program’s strategic objectives and adherence to donor requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact to the donor, as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
- Ensure effective and timely coordination across the governance structure
- Monitor work plan and keep partners accountable to program commitments, ensuring program quality standards are adhered to per GBV minimum standards, relevant SoPs and approved logframe.
- Ensure a collaborative approach empowering local actors in decision-making
- Coordinate capacity strengthening interventions across the consortium
Compliance & Risk Management
- Oversee financial management, project accounting systems, sub-grant management, and ensure operational efficiency through monitoring partner financial reports, providing guidance on cost eligibility, acting as the donor focal point to clarify rules and processes, and supporting the implementation of corrective measures when required.
- Ensure compliance with contract, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to donor. Consolidate and present program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to SC for approval before submitting to donors.
- Responsible for coordinating and consolidating donor reporting and engagement
- Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources.
- Maintain knowledge of all donor requirements and be able to provide advice to partners in finance, procurement, human resource, and visibility requirements, whilst maintaining excellent relationship with the donor.
- Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability.
- Maintain project wide risk register, consolidating agency specific risks at the consortium level, ensuring all risks have appropriate ownership, are monitored and mitigation and response measures are in place.
- Ensure an overall monitoring and tracking system is in place, with baseline initiated
- Ensure proactive engagement and good working relationship is established with FCDO external entities (third party monitoring entity, independent evaluation and Sudanese Advisory Board)
Management of the Consortium Platform and Governance
- Effectively lead and performance manage the CMU staff.
- Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of staff.
- Ensure consortium members are kept up to date and foster a collaborative approach across the consortium governance structure, together with CMU team.
- Facilitate and ensure the effectiveness of different governance structures, including the Steering Committee, Local Community of Experts, Technical Working Groups, MEAL/IM WG and other ad-hoc working groups deemed necessary.
- Chair the project steering committee, ensuring key information on the project is available to senior members of the consortium, ensuring decisions are documented, followed up and taken to support the effectiveness of the consortium.
- Develop work plans, advocacy messages and key decisions to be submitted to the Steering Committee and local Community of Experts
- Manage the projects/contributions/involvement of the consortium partners, ensuring mechanisms are in place for regular feedback and adjustments
Information Management, Advocacy, networking and coordination
- In collaboration with partners and relevant actors, facilitate and coordinate regular consultations/ workshops and conferences/meetings
- Maintain a knowledge base of different processes and requirements for fund and project management.
- Manage the analysis of protection data, strategies and oversee the dissemination of quality reports or dashboard information to adjust programming intervention or support advocacy efforts
- Ensure the set-up of a harmonized interoperable information management system that facilitates data sharing and coordination across the consortium and feeds into the protection cluster.
- Coordinate and manage advocacy and research initiatives on areas of relevance and interest, as approved by the local Community of Experts and Steering Committee.
- Assist in the development of a policy and advocacy strategy
- Provide strategic leadership on external communications in line with Steering Committee guidance – supporting members and/or as delegated developing and maintaining positive relations with relevant authorities, donors, local organizations and program partners.
- Act as the focal point to Donor visits, including briefings, visits and other engagement with senior stakeholders, including UK ministers – drafting talking points and accompanying visits as necessary
- Lead the development and roll-out of project communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding and visibility/communication requirements.
- Offer analyses and resources to support international and inter-regional conferences, workshops and debates as well as training programmes, all to add value to the relevant sector.
- Identifying, researching and developing new funding opportunities within the Consortium mandate
As a Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:
- Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
- Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
- Accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
- Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, Minimum Operating Procedures, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.
In addition to the above, the CoP may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Country Director - but always in the scope of this job description.
Qualifications, experience and technical competencies
- A master’s degree in political science, international law or other relevant field.
- At a minimum 7-years international experience in partner coordination and managing complex humanitarian projects, working in fragile contexts
- Prior experience in multi-stakeholder consortium management and coordination; ability to effectively guide consortium partners.
- Proven experience working on GBV programming &/or demonstrable experience of the role of safeguarding, inclusion and protection in equitable and safe service delivery.
- Experience in localization and strengthening of local capacities.
- High proficiency in programme cycle management, including MEAL processes and data management
- Demonstrated expertise in representation, networking, and senior level engagement with multiple stakeholders, including FCDO and senior ministers
- Strong experience of financial management and donor compliance processes. Prior experience in FCDO requirements highly desirable.
- Proficiency in analytical thinking, strategic planning, and communication.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to take proactive decisions whilst work flexibly within a diverse team
- Highly organized individual, motivated, and accustomed to working in challenging environments.
Languages:
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
About you
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
- Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Conditions
Contract: Two years’ contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for International staff. This position is graded at Band M.E
Start Date: October 2026
Duty Station: Port Sudan
Reports to: Country Director
Application and CV
All applicants must submit a cover letter and updated CV in English via our online application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies
Applications close on 11 September 2026.
