Food Security & Livelihoods in Emergencies Specialist (Port Sudan) – Plan International

By Osama Elsheikh Last updated Feb 24, 2026

Job Description

Organization	Plan International
Location	Country Office Port Sudan
Reports to:	Director of Programme
Grade	E
Closing Date	5 March 2026

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Sudan is responding at scale to the humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing conflict, with a focus on addressing the immediate and longer-term needs of conflict-affected children, adolescents, and their families. The organization prioritizes lifesaving assistance while strengthening resilience through integrated, gender- and age-sensitive programming that links emergency response with early recovery and durable solutions.

Plan International Sudan aims to respond rapidly and at scale to the food security and livelihoods needs of conflict-affected children, adolescents, and their families. The response prioritises lifesaving assistance, protection and restoration of livelihoods, and inclusive income-generation opportunities for women, girls, and young people. Programming is conflict- and gender-sensitive and aligned with national coordination and inter-agency humanitarian mechanisms.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The FSL Specialist will provide strategic direction on Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) interventions across the Plan Sudan Programs implemented in the country. The post holder supports PA FSL staff and ensures Food security and Livelihood interventions are of high quality, and positions Plan International as a leading agency working on Food Security and Livelihood in Emergency with a specific recognition of women and girls focus.

The position will develop strong relations with in-country relevant FSL cluster Sate level networks INGO, NNGO, UN and donor offices. There will be more attention on Plan International’s engagement which focuses on influencing and ensuring the specific needs of girls are met.

The FSL specialist will provide support to FSL team or focal persons in the PAs and country office and will ensure that Country Office and PAs have the right technical capability on FSL in Emergency by supporting the professional development of Plan’s staff across the PAs.

Furthermore, the Specialist will focus of her/his time on the provision of technical assistance to

ensure that FSL interventions are aligned with the FSL Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Action and other existing global guidelines and tools for FSL and to create synergies between our FSL programming and
to ensure that Plan’s FSL interventions are linked to longer term and nexus programming.
to support the technical coordination and implementation of the Emergency Response Programs of Plan International across the PAs.
to support business development initiatives in liaison with Technical Leads
The post holder will not have direct staff supervision but will support the Humanitarian Response Manager (HRM) and the SOYEE Thematic Lead to have indirect oversight of a significant FSL budget managed by individual Project Managers in the PAs.

The post holder is expected to deploy (sometimes at short notice) to support PAs in the Country to respond to new and existing crises focusing on FSL.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Provide Technical Assistance to Sudan CO and PAs Emergency teams in FSL

Provides Country Office and PAs with strategic advice and guidance on their FSL portfolio, ensuring it is of high quality, aligned with standards and has a clear focus on gender, diversity and inclusion.
Provide technical assistance to project implementation teams on the ground across the country.
Provide technical assistance to FSL team in PAs in the formulation of FSL in emergencies programme strategies and plans
Support development and roll-out of contextualised FSL guidance and tools
Develop and support FSL programming (development of guidelines and tools,

project evaluation) in the country.

Ensure Country office response FSL staff have access to relevant knowledge, practices, resources and tools
Work closely with MERL specialist in the country to strengthen M&E and reporting mechanisms for FSL program
Ensure that FSL interventions are aligned with the FSL in Emergency Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Action and other existing global guidelines and tools for FSL as well as to create synergies between FSL, EiE and CP programming
Ensure that FSL interventions are linked to nexus and longer-term programming
Leads the timely FSL Analysis within the country and provides the required analysis results to the supervisors.

2. Programme Implementation

Lead on (rapid) FSL needs assessments coordinating with Plan’s other programmatic areas and FSL Networks, ensuring assessment findings are documented and disseminated, including the rapid needs assessments
Ensure that the different capacities, vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms of the vulnerable communities focussing on girls and boys are considered and analysed.
Ensure the effective planning, implementation and coordination of FSL programming.
Contribute to the development of staffing (FSL or focal persons) plans to implement FSL programme activities in the country,
Supports Country Office develop and update Humanitarian Response Plan to ensure FSL targeting quality programming are considered

3. Capacity Building

Develop capacity building plans and provide training, coaching and mentorship on FSL to PAs country programme staff, including partners’ FSL staff as well.
Coordinate and/or implement trainings and briefings for Plan staff, partners and other key stakeholders on FSL
Promote the application of best programme practices in FSL

4. Strengthen Evidence and Learning

Promote organisational learning on FSL programming through collecting and publishing case studies and reports on good practices, lessons learned collected from PAs.
Provide technical support to researches that contribute to FSL evidence-based programming
Work closely with PAs for scaling up Plan International FSL intervention impact while using evidence to improve programme quality

5. Coordination and representation

Build and maintain relationships with relevant UN agencies including WFP and NGOs in the country.
Actively contribute to National & State level FSL Coordination Mechanisms/clusters.
Contribute to relevant regional advocacy and policy objectives with documented learning and evidence
Proactively engage with regional/national agencies and networks, such as the national FSL and sub clusters or working groups including Cash Working Group.
Set up a country coordination mechanism across PAs in Sudan with all FSL staff or focal persons.
Actively represent Plan in all related FSLE national coordination mechanism

6. Resource Mobilisation

Support Country Office resource mobilisation teams on securing funds for continuous programme scale up through providing lessons learnt and project related contextual information.
Identifying potential extension/follow-up interventions.
Providing programme presentations to potential donors to enhance resource mobilisation

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies on FSL and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Ensure staff understand Plan International’s commitment to driving a feminist agenda within the organisation, and the ambition for gender equality and gender transformative leadership is embedded in our value- based leadership framework.

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS

The post is a key linkage/coordination/interface across the country with 10 major Response Programme Areas (Kassala, Gadaref, White Nile, North Darfur, North Kordofan and South Kordofan, Red Sea, Northern State, Khartoum, Al Jazeera and the Geographical coverage area may increase based on needs and availability of resources). For this reason, the post holder must be able to master and manage relationships well and respectfully with regards to different needs with different stakeholders, including conflicting priorities and ad hoc requests.

Given the wide scope of responsibility and at the same time limited direct authority over implementing PAs Project staff, it’s essential that the post holder is able to stay on top of a variety of work, make clear prioritisation and be creative in making use of internal (and external) resources (people/funding) to ensure Sudan as a CO achieve envisaged outcomes of the CO Strategic Objectives related to Education and the AoGDs

Excellent and creative – but non-directive- leadership skills will be utilised to overcome delays and other bottlenecks which might negatively affect the impact and the quality of the intervention.

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Knowledge

Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related field

Minimum of 5-years’ experience in the field of Food Security in emergency including the use of cash/voucher assistance is required, preferably in conflict affected and fragile situations. Previous work experience in early childhood education is an asset. Ability to learn quickly and adapt the experience/lessons learnt in other emergency settings to the Sudan emergency response context. Knowledge of Education in Emergencies Minimum Standards,
Demonstrated experience in Food security and livelihood project designing; management, monitoring and supervision.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organizations, under stressful situations.
Excellent capacity in facilitating training and preparing user friendly manuals and toolkits.
Has strong networking, team spirit, and partnership-building skills,
Willing to adapt with new working environment, new challenges, colleagues and work

Skills

Demonstrated ability to network and liaise with major FSL donors including Word Bank; WFP, BHA, ECHO, GIZ etc.
Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic (Possibly bilingual esp. communicating with NOs and in-country stakeholders)
Excellent project design, participatory monitoring and evaluation skills
Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively.
Good facilitation skills and ability to deliver induction briefing/training.
Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

CO Director of Programs, Head of Programs Implementations, Humanitarian Response Manager.
Technical Leads (Protection, Education, Youth Engagement & Empowerment, SRHR …etc), Program Quality Manager as well as Communications and Advocacy Specialist
Humanitarian Response Coordinators in all Plan International PAs in the country.
Gender & Safeguarding Specialist in-country
Business Development Head and team
Program Area Managers in all PAs in Sudan.
National Offices’ representatives and regional FSL advisors/Specialists.

External:

FSL Cluster, Cash Working Group, and Protection Cluster, other agencies and stakeholders working on Education programming.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Networking and representation: demonstrable experience of organisational representation and engagement with humanitarian donors
Communication: Well developed written and oral communication skills. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
People management: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to guide local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Adaptability & flexibility: Ability to operate effectively in stressful working environments.
Work style: well organised even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge & skills: General knowledge and understanding of FSL and Protection minimum standards, Core Humanitarian Standards, SPHERE, Red Cross/NGO Code of Conduct and other relevant international standards for humanitarian response. General EiE, CP and TVET/IGA related experience is considered as an advantage.
Experience in conducting FSL assessments in emergency contexts
Experience in training/mentoring on FSL and CVA technical areas with a variety of audiences.
Previous work experience in the region (desirable) & emergency context (mandatory)
Fluency in Arabic and English (business level)

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Knowledge

Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related field

Minimum of 5-years’ experience in the field of Food Security in emergency including the use of cash/voucher assistance is required, preferably in conflict affected and fragile situations. Previous work experience in early childhood education is an asset. Ability to learn quickly and adapt the experience/lessons learnt in other emergency settings to the Sudan emergency response context. Knowledge of Education in Emergencies Minimum Standards,
Demonstrated experience in Food security and livelihood project designing; management, monitoring and supervision.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organizations, under stressful situations.
Excellent capacity in facilitating training and preparing user friendly manuals and toolkits.
Has strong networking, team spirit, and partnership-building skills,
Willing to adapt with new working environment, new challenges, colleagues and work

Skills

Demonstrated ability to network and liaise with major FSL donors including Word Bank; WFP, BHA, ECHO, GIZ etc.
Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic (Possibly bilingual esp. communicating with NOs and in-country stakeholders)
Excellent project design, participatory monitoring and evaluation skills
Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively.
Good facilitation skills and ability to deliver induction briefing/training.
Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.

Location: Co

Reports to: Director of Programme

Grade: E

Closing Date: 5 March 2026

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The holder of the position will be working in field offices and entails 60-70 % travel within Sudan CO Program Areas and occasionally in CO.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

High contact: The FSL Specialist will have significant interaction with children

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