Join our team

Starting Date: 1st November 2025
Department: Operations
Duty Station: Port-Sudan, Sudan 
Contract Type: Full-time (100%), Fixed-term, International contract

Mission 

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups and De Facto Authorities (AGDAs) for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protecting civilian infrastructure, and ensuring humanitarian access. 

Why this Role? 

The Head of Programme provides overall leadership, technical oversight, strategic direction, and management of Geneva Call’s programmatic portfolio in the country. This includes ensuring high-quality programme design, effective and donor-compliant implementation, sound financial management, and strong team leadership. The role requires working in complex and dynamic contexts, adapting programmatic strategies to meet changing needs, representing Geneva Call at diverse fora and with key stakeholders and building partnerships, and ensuring that all implementation aligns with Geneva Call’s mandate, values, and operational priorities. 

Additional Local Context 

Geneva Call has had a longstanding presence in Sudan and operates across the country, in various locations, with current flexible presence in Khartoum, Darfur, and Blue Nile. Over the course of its engagement in Sudan, Geneva Call has successfully signed six Deeds of Commitment with armed groups, trained 500+ members of armed groups, and supported several access initiatives. The new Head of Programme will be joining a small team and a dynamic and growing program, with opportunities to bring creative thinking, contextually sensitive problem solving, and innovation to implementation on the ground. While she/he will be based at the coordination office in Port Sudan, she/he will be required to frequently travel to Geneva Call’s base offices and areas of implementation to monitor activities and manage Geneva Call’s relationships with different stakeholders.  For this reason, she/he should have a proficiency in Arabic to communicate effectively with officials, stakeholders, and partners in Sudan. In addition, she/he should have knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and/or of general and specialized protection programming, which are essential to Geneva Call’s core work.  

Ideally, she/he has experience in proposal development and reporting for key North American and European donors, preferred experience with FCDO, DG ECHO, Global Affairs Canada, and GFFO.  

Work Relations 

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Head of Programme will provide overall leadership, technical oversight, management and strategic vision of the program of Geneva Call while managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its objectives and deliverable timely, qualitatively and within budget. The Head of Programme will work in a fluctuating and uncertain context and constantly adapt the answer of Geneva Call. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Programme Leadership and Strategy 

• Lead the design, adaptation, and delivery of country programme strategies in alignment with Geneva Call’s global priorities and operational guidelines. 
• Provide strategic oversight to ensure that programmes are contextually relevant, conflict-sensitive, and responsive to humanitarian needs. 
• Lead business development, including identifying and engaging new donors and relevant funding opportunities, and managing relations with Geneva Call’s current donors.  
• Develop high quality proposals that meet donor requirements and align with Geneva Call’s global, regional, and country strategies. Conduct conflict and needs analyses and integrate these into programme design, monitoring, and adaptation. 
• Foster innovation and identify new opportunities for engagement, partnerships, and growth. 

Programme Management and Coordination 

• Oversee the planning, delivery, and monitoring of all projects in line with project cycle management standards. 
• Ensure that project implementation meets agreed objectives, quality standards, and donor requirements. 
• Monitor project expenditure against budgets and ensure compliance with Geneva Call policies, donor requirements, and accountability standards. 
• Safeguard all programmatic data and ensure proper documentation and filing systems. 
• Lead the development of timely and high-quality donor reports and internal programme reports. 

Team Leadership and Human Resource Management 

• Line-manage senior programme staff and oversee recruitment, induction, and professional development. 
• Promote a safe, collaborative, and high-performing team culture that aligns with Geneva Call’s values. 
• Ensure effective coordination among programme teams and with other departments (finance, logistics, HR). 
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and capacity-building to strengthen team skills and performance. 
• Ensure compliance with HR policies, performance management processes, and safeguarding standards. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) 

• Ensure robust MEAL systems are in place to track progress, assess impact, and inform programme adaptation. 
• Support evidence-based decision-making and promote a learning culture within the team. 
• Lead periodic internal programme reviews and contribute to evaluations and audits.

External and internal Relations, Advocacy, and Representation 

• Represent Geneva Call with national authorities, donors, coordination bodies, and other key stakeholders. 
• Contribute to advocacy and policy engagement in line with Geneva Call’s mandate and country strategy. 
• Support the development and implementation of communications and visibility plans, ensuring sensitivity to security and perception risks. 
• Participate in humanitarian coordination structures and build and maintain strategic partnerships to enhance programme impact and sustainability. 
• Maintain effective relationships with implementing partners, providing technical and operational support where required.  
• Represent Geneva Call with key stakeholders, including members of armed groups and de facto authorities, supporting relationship building and ensuring effective delivery of programming.  

Requirements 

Education (Essential) 

• Graduate degree in International Relations, Political or Social Sciences, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, or related field. 

Experience (Essential) 

• 10 years of relevant experience in humanitarian organizations, preferably including protection sector programming, including at least 3-5 years in senior programmatic leadership roles, in international positions.  
• Proven record in programme development, implementation, project cycle management, and budget oversight, with experience in managing large portfolios. 
• Experience working in conflict and complex emergency settings. 
• Demonstrated experience engaging with armed actors or other non-state actors in a neutral and principled manner. 
• Experience in building and managing partnerships with civil society, INGOs, UN agencies, and donors. 

Job-related Competencies 

• Strong strategic and operational planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• Solid understanding of donor compliance frameworks and accountability requirements. 
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and diplomacy skills with diverse stakeholders. 
• Proficiency in project cycle management, MEAL systems, and budget monitoring. 
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and protection principles is an asset. 

Personal Skills 

• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills. 
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to rapidly changing contexts, and make sound decisions. 
• Strong leadership qualities with a collaborative and inclusive approach. 
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and commitment to Geneva Call’s values. 
• Results-oriented, solution-focused, and proactive mindset. 

Languages (Essential) 

• Fluency in written and spoken English. 
• Proficiency in Arabic. 

Organizational Values 

Humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence, accountability, dedication and respect: these seven fundamental values underpin all of Geneva Call’s work. 

Additional information 

• The incumbent must be willing and able to travel at short notice. 
• Testing and interviewing will be used as a form of screening. 
• Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references. 
• Additional background checks may be required. 

Why join Geneva Call? 

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions fostering an inclusive working environment for all staff. 

This role offers the opportunity to shape policies that protect civilians in conflict zones, contribute to life-saving humanitarian initiatives, and work at the forefront of international legal advocacy. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact in some of the world’s most challenging contexts, we look forward to your application. 

For Application: 

We particularly encouraged applications from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. 

Please only submit your CV and cover letter by 3rd October 2025 through the link below:

Our HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team to invite them for written test – and the steps afterwards if they qualify i.e., interview and other assessments as deemed appropriate.

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups and De Facto Authorities (AGDAs) for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protecting civilian infrastructure, and ensuring humanitarian access. 

Role

Under the supervision of the Head of the European Union (EU)/Europe Office, the EU Affairs and Office Assistant will play a pivotal role in supporting the Brussels Office’s mission to reinforce the organisation’s visibility, influence, and resource base within the European context.

The Assistant will provide substantive and administrative support across policy, fundraising, and communications streams, contributing to the daily functioning of the Brussels Office. By ensuring effective liaison with EU institutions, member states, think tanks and civil society actors, the Assistant will help position the organisation as a credible and valued partner on humanitarian, peace and development issues.

This role combines administrative and operational support with substantive contributions to EU affairs: managing office coordination for the Head of Office, assisting with day-to-day administration, while also drafting analytical material, monitoring EU-level policy processes, coordinating targeted initiatives, and contributing to the Brussels Office’s communications outputs. The Assistant will work closely with colleagues in headquarters, Brussels Office and field missions to ensure coherence and impact in EU-focused initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administrative and organisational support to the Head of the Brussels Office, ensuring smooth coordination of schedules, meetings, and reporting obligations.
• Monitoring of EU affairs, particularly developments in EU external action, humanitarian policy, peacebuilding, and international cooperation; timely identification of opportunities and risks relevant to Geneva Call’s mission.
• Contribution to Brussels Office strategies, including the support to the Head of Office in development and implementation of approaches aimed at enhancing Geneva Call’s visibility and access to EU institutions, member states, and policy fora.
• Policy and research support, including background research, drafting of reports, detailed briefing notes, policy papers, speaking points, and other substantive materials in coordination with Geneva Call units.
• Maintenance of stakeholder networks: systematically mapping and updating EU contacts, monitoring interactions and follow-up, and supporting targeted institutional outreach.
• Supporting the Head of Office in liaising with EU officials, member states, international organisations, NGOs, and policy platforms (e.g. EPLO, VOICE), including attending external meetings, conferences, and events, and preparing summary notes and follow-up actions for internal circulation.
• Communications support, including preparation of inputs for articles, press releases, policy blogs and social media inputs related to EU affairs, in close coordination with the Global Communications Unit.
• Supporting cross-office initiatives by collecting and providing Brussels-specific information and insights to inform organisational strategies and programmes.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 2-3 years’ relevant experience in international relations, political affairs, EU policy, or related fields.
• Sound understanding of EU institutions, policies, and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated experience in research and drafting for international organisations, NGOs, or consultancies.
• Familiarity with EU external action, humanitarian and peacebuilding agendas.
• Prior experience of advocacy and institutional liaison in Brussels is a strong asset.

Competencies and skills

• Excellent communication and drafting skills in English; proficiency in French highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and research capacity; ability to distil complex information into concise and accessible products.
• Confidence in engaging with policymakers and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise, work independently and meet deadlines under pressure.
• A collaborative working style, with sensitivity to cultural diversity and team dynamics.
• Demonstrated commitment to humanitarian principles, peacebuilding and international cooperation.
• Ability to convey complex political and policy issues with clarity and persuasion.
• Strategic thinking with capacity to contribute to positioning efforts in Brussels and EU-level policy spaces.

Desirable

• Prior experience in EU affairs linked to humanitarian and peace issues.
• Knowledge of additional EU languages.

Additional information

Why join Geneva Call? 

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions fostering an inclusive working environment for all staff. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact in some of the world’s most challenging contexts, we look forward to your application. 

For Application

We particularly encouraged applications from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Please only submit your CV and cover letter by 9^th October 2025 through the link below:

Our HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team to invite them for written test – and the steps afterwards if they qualify i.e., interview and other assessments as deemed appropriate.