Mercy Corps Country Director – South Sudan & Uganda Job 2026 – Apply Now
Mercy Corps is inviting applications for the position of Country Director – South Sudan & Uganda, a senior leadership opportunity based in Juba, South Sudan. The role offers an opportunity for an experienced international development and humanitarian leader to oversee major programmes and operations across South Sudan and Uganda while driving strategic growth, innovation, partnerships, and lasting impact.
The position is full-time, regular and exempt, classified at Field Level 7. The role is based in Juba and involves substantial travel to programme locations in South Sudan and Uganda.
About the Mercy Corps Country Director Role
Mercy Corps is transitioning to Prosper Global, with the transition being implemented by location. During this period, applicants may see both Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used. The organisation continues its programmes, teams, and commitments throughout the transition.
The Country Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across the combined South Sudan and Uganda portfolio. The successful candidate will oversee high-impact, multisector programming while ensuring accountability to programme participants, donors, governments, and partners.
The role is particularly focused on connecting humanitarian response with longer-term development. Mercy Corps’ portfolio in the region includes work in food security, livelihoods, civil society, WASH, maternal and child health, financial inclusion, clean energy, conflict management, resilience, governance, and market systems development.
Key Responsibilities
The Country Director will be responsible for developing and communicating a clear country strategy and contributing to the wider regional strategic vision.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading country strategy development and annual planning.
- Setting priorities and allocating resources across the country portfolio.
- Identifying opportunities for innovative humanitarian and development programming.
- Engaging donors, partners, governments, and communities to secure resources.
- Supporting programmes to adapt to conflict, climate change, environmental pressures, and changing operating conditions.
- Strengthening collaboration between the South Sudan and Uganda country programmes.
- Building partnerships across East Africa to increase regional impact.
The successful candidate will also lead organisational culture and people management. This includes recruiting, developing, motivating, and managing teams while promoting trust, inclusion, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
Programme Quality and External Representation
Programme quality, monitoring, evaluation, and learning will be central to the position. The Country Director will oversee programme quality and ensure that interventions meet Mercy Corps and donor requirements.
The role will also promote research and learning in areas including resilience, climate change, peace and governance, and market systems development. The successful candidate will use evidence and programme learning to strengthen long-term impact.
Externally, the Country Director will represent Mercy Corps with donors, governments, United Nations agencies, private-sector organisations, foundations, civil society groups, think tanks, and other development partners. The position will also contribute to policy discussions and advocacy around humanitarian and development priorities.
Financial Management, Compliance and Security
The Country Director will oversee country budgets, cash-flow planning, financial controls, grants management, and compliance with donor and Mercy Corps requirements.
The position also carries significant responsibility for security. The successful candidate will manage the safety and security of country teams and organisational assets, review security protocols, and coordinate with regional leadership during high-risk periods and security incidents.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, while a Master’s degree is preferred.
Candidates must have at least 10 years of field experience in international relief and development programmes, including demonstrated success managing large and complex transitional development programmes. At least seven years of senior-level leadership, capacity-building, and field management experience is required.
The successful candidate should also demonstrate experience managing multicultural teams across multiple offices, representing complex programmes to donors and government stakeholders, securing funding from diverse donors, and working with governments, NGOs, INGOs, private-sector organisations, and other partners.
Experience in financial and grants management, including grants from organisations such as the UN, US Department of State, European Union, FCDO, and foundation partners, is required. Internationally recognised project or programme management qualifications are also expected or must be pursued early in the role.
Excellent written and spoken English is required. Previous experience working in South Sudan or Uganda is preferred, as is experience managing programmes in insecure locations.
Working Conditions
The position is based in Juba as an unaccompanied post and requires strict adherence to security protocols. The Country Director may travel up to 50% by road and air to field offices in South Sudan and Uganda, including locations with significant security challenges.
Mercy Corps Country Director Job 2026 – Key Details
Job Title: Country Director – South Sudan & Uganda
Organisation: Mercy Corps / Prosper Global
Location: Juba, South Sudan
Contract: Full-time, Regular
Level: Field Level 7
Travel: Up to 50%
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
Experience: 10+ years international relief and development experience
Leadership Experience: 7+ years senior-level leadership
Language: Excellent English
South Sudan/Uganda Experience: Preferred
Professionals with extensive humanitarian leadership experience, strong donor and government relationships, proven fundraising ability, and experience managing complex programmes in fragile environments should consider this senior international development opportunity.
