Consultant -Cooperative Advisor Strengthening Community

Description

Consultant Title: Cooperative Advisor – Strengthening Community Consumer Cooperatives

Reports to: THABAT Project Director

Position Type: Part-time (Aligned with project duration, with near full-time level of effort at the start)

Location: Remote, with some travel to Sudan (Kassala, River Nile and Northern States)

Background:

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.

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.

Project Description:

The Sudan - Enhancing Community Resilience Project (THABAT) is a two-year project funded by the Sudan Transition and Recovery Support (STARS) – a multi-donor trust fund. The project is aimed at improving food security and resilience in conflict affected communities in Sudan, and has two interlinked components: Component 1: Community Led Basic Service (US$74 million implemented by UNICEF; Component 2: Improving Food Security(US$56 million) implemented by WFP and Mercy Corps. Component 2 supports: (i) increased resilience and production of select crops in rural areas that supply food to the target communities; (ii) Supporting agricultural value chains by providing matching grants to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) around services such as transport and logistics including storage and packaging, and small-scale processing. The target is to reach at least 80 SMEs; (iii) the scaling-up and strengthening of 20 community consumer cooperatives with a focus on enhancing the downstream food value chain to achieve a sustainable cooperative-led food distribution and marketing system. The component 2 targets three agro value chains – sorghum, wheat and horticulture crops (beans and vegetables) at selected secure localities of three states (including Kassala, Northern and River Nile) in Sudan with high numbers of internally displaced people (IDP).

Position Summary:

Mercy Corps is seeking a dynamic and experienced Cooperative Advisor to oversee the implementation and internal coordination of Subcomponent 2.3: Scale-up and Strengthening of Community Consumer Cooperatives (CCs) under the THABAT Project. This is a long-term consultancy with an anticipated duration of 9 months. The first 3 months will be near full-time (setup, planning, early implementation), the next 4-6 months are expected to be part time (oversight, capacity building, strategic input), while months 7–9 will have a reduced level of effort focusing on monitoring, reporting, and wrap-up).

The role requires technical expertise in cooperative principles, business management, and capacity building, as well as strong leadership and communication skills to guide cooperative development initiatives. The Position holder will serve as the technical lead and internal focal point for all CC-related activities, providing expert guidance and support for the strengthening, and success of consumer cooperatives, ensuring high-quality implementation, effective coordination with additional short-term consultants, ensuring viable business linkages with component 2.2 and 2.1 and capacity building of Mercy Corps staff.

The International Consultant – Cooperative Advisor will provide expert technical guidance, strategic oversight, and direct capacity-building support to Mercy Corps' in-country teams, including local Sudanese consultants and consumer cooperative officers for the successful execution of Strategic Objective 3 of the program: 'Enhanced market access for consumer cooperatives, and improved access to affordable and sufficient food for IDPs’. The role will be critical in ensuring that the market-based approach to strengthening consumer cooperatives and associated value chains is robust, sustainable, and achieves its intended impact for IDPs and host communities in Northern, River Nile, and Kassala States.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical (Implementation) Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Lead implementation of the Subcomponent 2.3, including developing workplans and ensuring their effective implementation, managing all procurement/grants activities, and ensuring the subcomponent remains on track (scope, time, and budget).
• Serve as the primary liaison between Mercy Corps and the Consumer Cooperative Capacity Building Consultant(s).
• Provide ongoing technical guidance and support to the Project Director, Consumer Cooperative Capacity Building Consultant(s) and project staff.
• Manage process for CC proposals for in-kind grant support, including technical review and recommendations.
• Develop templates to track progress against implementation plans.
• In coordination with project staff, conduct regular review meetings with consultants to assess and monitor/track progress, provide feedback, and ensure the quality of project interventions fulfill reporting requirements and are alignment with project goals.
• Review and validate consultant deliverables, including training materials and plans, business plans, and reports.
• Ensure that all consultant activities are compliant with donor requirements and Mercy Corps’ quality standards.
• Provide strategic guidance and ensure the quality of operational models developed by Mercy Corps' teams for agro-processing hubs, focusing on their sustainable management, cost-recovery mechanisms, and equitable access for community members, especially women and IDPs.
• Offer expert review and quality assurance for the curriculum and training materials developed by Mercy Corps' teams for cooperative members and operators, particularly concerning equipment use, basic maintenance, and quality control.
• Conduct periodic strategic reviews and provide actionable recommendations on the functionality and effectiveness of the digital platform designed to connect FPOs, SMEs, and Consumer Cooperatives, ensuring its optimal use by Mercy Corps' direct implementation staff.
• Ensure that gender, protection, and IDP inclusion principles are effectively integrated into Subcomponent workplans plans and rigorously monitored by the on-ground teams across all cooperative strengthening and market linkage activities.

2. Technical Leadership and Guidance

• Provide high level technical expertise and strategic  guidance on international best practices, for cooperative development, cooperative principles, governance, business development, digital integration and member-centric business models ensuring their relevance and adaptation to the Sudanese context for Mercy Corps' direct implementation, especially for inclusion of all ll social groups targeted.
• Support the operationalization of the CC food distribution and marketing strategy  and value enhancement, and marketing strategy, including the proposed food processing hubs and market linkages.
• Work closely with other thematic specialists in the project team to ensure that there is proper sequencing of activities to build synergies and deliver impact at scale.
• Provide strategic guidance on the design of effective market linkage strategies between consumer organizations, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), and SME agribusinesses, supporting Mercy Corps' teams in fostering mutually beneficial and formal trade relationships.
• Offer high-level technical advice on the assessment, selection, and procurement of appropriate small-scale, solar-powered agro-processing and value addition equipment for the proposed 'Hubs,' providing strategic guidance to Mercy Corps' teams managing the direct implementation.
• Work with the project team to promote inclusion, gender equity, environment and social safeguards, and conflict sensitivity in all CC activities, aligned with donor guidelines.

3. Internal Capacity Building

• Mentor, train and provide ongoing technical support directly to Mercy Corps Consumer Cooperative Officers and local consultants fostering their expertise on cooperative development, governance, and market systems development approaches.
• Facilitate peer learning and knowledge exchange among field teams.
• Lead the design and ensure the quality of comprehensive capacity-building modules and training materials for Mercy Corps' in-country staff and local Sudanese consultants, empowering them to effectively train, mentor, and directly support consumer cooperatives on business planning, financial management, marketing, HR, and access to financial services

4. Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning

• Support and participate in research and technical evaluations of the consumer cooperative development interventions.
• Utilize monitoring and evaluation  outputs to inform program adjustments and improvements.
• Draft the portions of donor reports related to Subcomponent 2.3, including documenting progress updates (maintaining and reporting on relevant data), success stories, and lessons learned.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) for CCs and ensure timely data collection and analysis.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices from the CC interventions and disseminate this knowledge to relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of a knowledge hub and community of practice for CCs.
• Provide technical leadership in developing and refining the monitoring and evaluation framework for cooperative development, ensuring it accurately captures impact, measures food affordability and availability to different social groups, and informs adaptive management decisions by Mercy Corps' direct implementation teams.
• Contribute to internal learning processes within Mercy Corps by supporting analysis of monitoring data and providing recommendations for program adaptation and replication of successful models.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Facilitate collaboration and coordination among different actors involved in cooperative development and advise on the coordination with local NGOs, SMEs, Farmer Cooperatives, and digital platform providers (e.g., Mahsool).
• Represent Mercy Corps in relevant forums, workshops, and coordination meetings.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to Mercy Corps' on-ground teams in the facilitation of local business forums, networking events, and direct market linkages with key actors, identifying and cultivating partnership opportunities relevant to the program's objectives.

Key Deliverables

• Inception report: Within [e.g., 2 weeks] of contract signing, outlining the consultant's understanding of the SOW, proposed work plan, and initial key insights/recommendations.
• Monthly progress reports: Brief updates on achievements, challenges, and upcoming activities, submitted with the request for payment.
• Reviewed capacity building modules/training materials: For Mercy Corps staff and consumer cooperatives, as per Activity 2.
• Technical guidance notes/briefs: As needed, on specific topics such as cooperative governance models, solar agro-processing hub operationalization, or advanced market linkage strategies.
• Recommendations for digital platform enhancement: Based on review of existing and proposed digital tools and the needs of CCs and integration needs/opportunities.
• Contributions to donor reports: Specific sections/inputs for Subcomponent 2.3 reporting, including progress, success stories, lessons learned and recommendations.
• End-of-consultancy report: A comprehensive report summarizing all activities, key findings, achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future programming, submitted [e.g., 1 week] prior to contract end.
• Presentations/workshops: Deliver presentations or facilitate workshops for Mercy Corps staff and stakeholders on key technical areas or findings, as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in Cooperative Development, Agribusiness, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in cooperative development, market or food systems  development.
• Technical expertise in cooperative principles, business management, and financial management.
• Strong organizational leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical skills, strategic and creative thinking.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including cooperative members, government officials, and other development partners.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering training and mentorship programs in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of the Sudanese socio-economic context.
• Familiarity with digital platforms, renewable energy solutions, and inclusive governance models.
• Ability to self-direct their work/work remotely.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills in both Arabic and English.

Success Factors:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and remotely while maintaining strong coordination with internal and external actors.
• Highly motivated and driven to deliver results.
• Capable of acting as a strong advisor to strengthen systems, while also providing day-to-day support to deliver outputs.
• Committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities.
• Commitment to Mercy Corps’ mission and values, including gender equity, inclusion, and resilience-building.

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.

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. 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 witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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.

Workflow Map: Cooperative Advisor – THABAT Project

Inception & Planning (Weeks 1–2)

• Deliverables:

• Inception Report (understanding of SOW, work plan, initial insights)

• Activities:

• Review project documents and context

• Align with Project Director and team

• Develop detailed work plan and timeline

• Identify existing cooperatives and assess readiness

• Work with Local Consultants to workshop and refine workplans and deliverables

• Key Stakeholders: Project Director, local consultants, Mercy Corps staff

Technical Oversight & Implementation (Months 1–9)

• Deliverables:

• Templates for tracking implementation

• Monthly progress reports

• Reviewed/approved CC proposals for in-kind grants

• In-kind grant support provided

• Activities:

• Lead Subcomponent 2.3 implementation

• Manage procurement/grants for CCs

• Provide technical guidance and management oversight to consultants and project staff

• Review and validate CC training materials, business plans

• Ensure compliance with donor and MC standards

• Key Stakeholders: Consumer Cooperative Officers, Capacity Building Consultants

Capacity Building (Ongoing)

• Deliverables:

• Reviewed training modules

• Workshops and peer learning sessions

• Activities:

• Train and mentor Mercy Corps staff and local consultants

• Facilitate knowledge exchange

• Build internal capacity on cooperative governance, business planning, etc.

• Key Stakeholders: Local consultants, MC field teams

Strategic Guidance & Market Linkages (Months 2–8)

• Deliverables:

• Technical guidance notes

• Recommendations for digital platform enhancements

• Activities:

• Guide development of food distribution and marketing strategies

• Support agro-processing hub design and equipment selection

• Advise on digital integration and market linkage strategies

• Key Stakeholders: SMEs, FPOs, digital platform providers

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (Ongoing)

• Deliverables:

• Inputs to donor reports

• Lessons learned documentation

• End-of-consultancy report

• Activities:

• Track KPIs and analyze data

• Conduct strategic reviews

• Contribute to knowledge hub and adaptive learning

• Key Stakeholders: MEL and PaQ team, donor representatives

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation (Ongoing)

• Deliverables:

• Participation in forums and coordination meetings

• Support for local business forums and partnerships

• Activities:

• Coordinate with NGOs, SMEs, cooperatives

• Represent MC in relevant events

• Cultivate partnerships and facilitate networking

• Key Stakeholders: Local NGOs, government, private sector

Time Allocation Suggestion

• Months 1–3: Full-time or near full-time (setup, planning, early implementation)
• Months 4–6: Part-time (oversight, capacity building, strategic input)
• Months 7–9: Reduced level of effort (monitoring, Reporting and Wrap -up)

SDG Impact