Sudan - Head of Mission

Country: Sudan Organization: COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale Closing date: 7 Sep 2026 COOPI is looking for Head of Mission in Sudan COOPI responds to the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan since 2004, including refugees, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), Returnees and vulnerable communities through an integrated WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods and Shelter approach. Key target groups include women and children, especially female- and child-headed households and unaccompanied minors, as well as the elderly and people living with disabilities. As part of its programmatic approach, COOPI mainstreams Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Action, Gender and Protection, and focuses both on life-saving interventions as well as building long-term resilience through community-based programming. Since 15 April 2023, COOPI, based in Port Sudan, has been providing support to war-affected populations in the states of Khartoum and North Darfur. COOPI is currently implementing projects funded by AICS, the European Union and UN agencies. Purpose of the role The Head of Mission is responsible for the management of the foreign office in its different aspects: mission development, staff management and training, budget sustainability, security, compliance with COOPI and donor procedures. S/he represents COOPI in relations with all local and international realities. Collaborates with the Regional Coordination or directly with headquarters in the definition of the country strategy and intervention priorities. Guarantees the correct implementation of projects. Main Responsibilities REPRESENTATION • Represents COOPI in the country of competence, in institutional relations with the different bodies, partners, local and international organisations; • Manages relations with major institutional donors for both ongoing and potential projects; • Ensures the organisation's participation in local security meetings; • Is responsible for the image of the organisation in the country. DEVELOPMENT • Checks and proposes to the Regional Coordination, in agreement with the country levels involved, the priorities for action to consolidate opportunities for the organisation's involvement in the country; • Participates in the definition of the country strategy and supervises data collection (projects and coordination) for programming and planning. MANAGEMENT Project management • Supervises the drafting, writing and preparation of the documentation necessary for the submission of new projects, including budgets, reporting to the Regional Coordination and support offices at headquarters; • Supervises the activities carried out by project managers, ensuring proper implementation in compliance with contractual constraints and donor procedures and in line with COOPI management procedures and standards; • Is responsible for the good quality of project reports and the preparation of monitoring documentation required by headquarters; • Ensures the transmission of all official and administrative project documentation to headquarters. Foreign office management • Is responsible for the different aspects related to the management of the foreign office: local regulations, security plans, organisation chart, logistics; • Ensures compliance with the legal and administrative rules of the host country; • Has power of attorney for legal signature on documents and accounts. Personnel management • Is responsible for the management of the country's national personnel, in compliance with the laws of the country; • Participates on request in the selection of expatriate staff according to the organisation's procedures; • Participates in information, training and evaluation activities for national and expatriate staff; • Coordinates and supervises the management of expatriate staff employed in the country. Security management • Is responsible for the security of expatriate and national personnel present in the country, and for the proper information, training, implementation and compliance with security procedures. Economic and financial management • Is co-responsible - with the Regional Coordination - for the budget, sustainability and economic performance of the country. Communication management and fundraising • Collaborates with the Institutional Communication and Fundraising areas, at headquarters, for visibility, communication, awareness-raising and fundraising activities (campaigns, distance support) for the country of competence. Requirements ESSENTIAL • University degree in relevant subjects; • At least 5 years of proven and successful experience in similar roles in humanitarian aid and international development; • Previous working experience with AICS, DG-ECHO, UE and UN-Agencies; • Demonstrated skills in effective communication (oral and written), negotiation, managing multiple tasks simultaneously and organisation; • Experience in dealing with governmental/local authorities, international organisations (IOs) and NGOs; • Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments; • Experience working in conflict-prone contexts; • Proven ability to manage a team; • Fluent knowledge of English and Italian is required; • Computer skills. DESIRED • Experience in logistics, procurement and security; • Previous working experience with COOPI; • Experience in managing complex consortia/partnerships. We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 27 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 200 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA –, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments. How to apply Please send you CV and Cover Letter at the following link: https://coopi.org/en/job-position.html?id=5742&ln=