Cash Consortium of Sudan- Referral Information Management Scoping Mission (Consultancy)
Description
Project/Consultancy Title: Consultant to design a Referral Information Management Platform – Cash Consortium of Sudan
Project Location(s): Nairobi and Sudan (as possible) - Remote consultancy can also work with travel to Suda
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’ Sudan crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Sudanese and other conflict-affected people across the country.
The Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS) is a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations. The CCS was established in 2023 and is led by Mercy Corps, building on its global experience and learning on leading cash consortia in multiple country contexts, as well as general expertise in cash coordination and breadth of technical resources. International partners include Acted, CARE, CORE, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Concern, GOAL and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), each of which bring strong cash and complementary technical competencies, as well as expansive operational coverage in Sudan. The CCS also includes twelve Sudanese NGOs as partners in alignment with global aid sector commitments to enhance the prominence of local actors in driving humanitarian response and recovery. IMPACT is a non-implementing partner dedicated to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning strengthening. IMPACT will support quality data systems, and an objective evidence base that will be essential to CCS’ accountability and adaptive management to refine programming approaches to enhance impact as the Sudan crisis context evolves. The CCS will work closely with other consortia and actors in Sudan to deliver an effective CVA response for communities affected by the crisis.
Purpose / Project Description:
The overall objective of the Referral Information Management System (RIMS) is to ensure that people have safe, timely and adequate access to services through more efficient and accountable referral pathways. The aim of establishing a RIMS is to strengthen and institutionalize referral pathways, facilitate cross-sectoral referrals and produce an evidence-based analysis of needs, gaps and bottlenecks in referral pathways.
The position is responsible for conducting a scoping mission to inform the overall design and start-up of the system in Sudan for use by the Cash Consortium of Sudan and the overall response including the CCS -led -Area Based Coordination mechanism in Darfur and Kordofan. Within the project period, the consultant should design the platform ensuring maximum opportunities for interoperability with other systems (including CommCare).
Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will:
- Conduct a review of the referral landscape, available referral management systems and tools in use in Sudan to identify gaps, needs and opportunities for introducing a referral information management system with the capacity to support the broader response
- Ensure the selection of a platform which allows clear linkages with existing referral management systems through ensuring interoperability with CommCare as well as systems currently in use by UN agencies from the beginning.
Any referral information management system must be designed to adhere to the highest data protection standards – these should be outlined and integrated at design phase
- Develop the referral pathway flow including tools, templates and tracking sheets.
- Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and user manuals and training materials relevant to the system to facilitate knowledge transfer and a systematic approach across partners (this will outline the design, start-up and implementation of the system)
- Conduct trainings and/or workshops for relevant national and international CCS partner staff on the SOP including data protection standards and protocols.
- Develop a detailed work plan, including timeline and resource requirements within the existing budget
- Draft a template for referral trend analysis for review and refinement
Consultant Deliverables:
The Consultant will:
- Develop a workplan outlining tasks and timeline
- Develop a mission report defining the referral landscape in Sudan including the management systems and tools in use, potentials for interoperability, challenges and opportunities for the CCS to establish a referral management system
- Develop the referral pathway flow
- Develop an SOP and user manuals and training materials relevant to the system design
- Roll out trainings for Referral Officers on the referral pathway system documentation
- Submit a final consultancy short report summarizing the key outputs and outlining next steps including technical design, iterations required for the system
- Produce the first iteration of the referral trend analysis report from the system
Timeframe / Schedule:
- 3 months (to be completed by March 2026)
The Consultant will report to:
- CCS Protection Manager
The Consultant will work closely with:
- CCS MEL Manager, CCS Deputy Chief of Party, CCS Partner Referral Officers and Senior Referral Officer, Mercy Corps HQ Digital Team, Area-Based Coordinators and Cluster Coordinators National and Sub-National.
Required Experience & Skills:
- Extensive experience in designing and managing information systems, including database architecture, data workflows, case management structures, data collection tools, and information pathways; previous experience establishing a referral information management system is a strong asset.
- Strong understanding of information management practices in humanitarian or development settings, including data modelling, user roles and permissions, interoperability considerations, and system optimization for low-connectivity environments.
- Demonstrated knowledge of data protection policies and standards and experience integrating data protection and safeguarding requirements into system design and documentation..Ability to provide training and capacity building on IM systems to technical and non-technical staff
- Contextual knowledge of Sudan is an asset
- Previous consultancy experience is an asset
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required, and Arabic is an asset.
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.
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.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.