Remote Consultancy: Mercy Corps seeks a Referral Information Management Platform Design Consultant – Cash Consortium of Sudan
Mercy Corps seeks a highly qualified consultant to lead the design and initial development of a Referral Information Management System (RIMS) for the Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS).
The consultant may be based in Nairobi, Sudan (as possible), or work remotely with travel. This assignment aims to strengthen referral pathways and improve cross-sector coordination across Sudan’s crisis response.
Background
Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian organisation committed to helping crisis-affected populations build resilience and recover with dignity.
In Sudan, Mercy Corps leads the Cash Consortium of Sudan, a collaborative platform launched in 2023 to advance an impactful and accountable cash response. The CCS brings together international NGOs—including Acted, CARE, IRC, CORE, Concern, GOAL and NRC—as well as twelve Sudanese partner organisations.
IMPACT serves as a non-implementing partner responsible for MERL strengthening and evidence generation.
The creation of a RIMS is central to improving safe, timely, and efficient access to services for conflict-affected populations. The system will enhance cross-agency referral coordination, support area-based mechanisms in Darfur and Kordofan, and generate stronger evidence for adaptive management.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultant will conduct a scoping mission and lead the initial design of a referral information management platform tailored to the CCS and the wider humanitarian response. The system must:
- Strengthen institutionalised referral pathways
- Facilitate cross-sector referrals and collaboration
- Provide high-quality, secure, and interoperable data flows
- Generate analysis on referral trends, needs, gaps, and system bottlenecks
The consultant will prioritise system interoperability—especially with CommCare and UN-led tools—while integrating the highest data protection standards from the outset.
Consultant Activities
The consultant will perform the following core tasks:
- Review the existing referral landscape, tools, and systems in Sudan, identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities for harmonisation.
- Recommend a suitable platform that ensures interoperability with CommCare and UN agency systems.
- Integrate robust data protection policies and safeguarding standards into the system design.
- Develop the end-to-end referral pathway flow, including templates, tools, and tracking sheets.
- Produce a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), user manuals, and training materials to support roll-out and partner alignment.
- Facilitate trainings and workshops for national and international CCS partner staff on the SOP and data protection protocols.
- Submit a detailed work plan outlining tasks, timelines, and required resources.
- Draft an initial template for referral trend analysis for review and refinement.
Consultant Deliverables
The consultant will provide:
- A workplan detailing sequencing, timelines, and deliverables.
- A mission report outlining the referral landscape in Sudan, existing systems, interoperability options, and opportunities for CCS.
- A complete referral pathway flow and supporting tools.
- A full SOP, training materials, and user manuals.
- Delivery of training sessions for Referral Officers.
- A final consultancy report summarizing key achievements, lessons, and next steps.
- The first iteration of a referral trend analysis report generated from the system.
Timeframe
- Consultancy duration: 3 months
- Completion deadline: March 2026
Reporting and Coordination
The consultant will report directly to the CCS Protection Manager and collaborate closely with:
- CCS MEL Manager
- Deputy Chief of Party
- Partner Referral Officers and Senior Referral Officer
- Mercy Corps Headquarters Digital Team
- Area-Based Coordinators and Cluster Coordinators at national and sub-national levels
Required Experience and Skills
- Extensive experience in designing and managing information systems, including database architecture, data workflows, case management, and digital tools.
- Prior experience establishing referral information management systems is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian information management, including data modelling, user permissions, and system optimisation for low-connectivity environments.
- Demonstrated expertise in data protection standards and integrating safeguarding requirements into system design.
- Ability to train and capacitate technical and non-technical staff.
- Contextual knowledge of Sudan is an asset.
- Previous consultancy experience is an advantage.
- Fluency in English required; Arabic is an asset.
Team Culture and Values
Mercy Corps believes that diverse teams build stronger solutions. All team members are valued for their unique backgrounds, perspectives, and contributions. The organisation promotes collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer committed to preventing discrimination of any kind. The organisation upholds an inclusive environment where all individuals—regardless of race, gender identity, age, disability, nationality, marital status, or other protected identities—can thrive.
Safeguarding and Ethics
All team members are expected to uphold Mercy Corps’ safeguarding standards, engage communities as equal partners, respect local laws and customs, and maintain professionalism in all settings.
