Consultant to Design a Referral Information Management Platform – Cash Consortium of Sudan at Mercy Corps

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.