Working in Sudan: what the legislation says

A context that has upended recruitment

The armed conflict affecting the country has disrupted the economy, the administration and the flow of vacancies. Many employers have suspended hiring or relocated their teams. Any information published before these events should therefore be read with caution and cross-checked with the employer.

The legal framework: Labour Act 1997

The Sudanese labour code dates from 1997 and is listed in the ILO's NATLEX database. Among other things, it governs working hours and daily rest. Before signing, ask the employer which legislation applies to your contract, particularly in the public sector.

Working hours and the daily break

According to a 2021 World Bank document citing the law, the working week is 48 hours, or 8 hours a day, with at least thirty minutes of paid rest. During Ramadan, the working day is shortened by one hour.

Minimum wage: a figure quickly outdated

In April 2020, the Ministry of Finance raised the minimum wage from 425 to 3,000 Sudanese pounds. It is set by a national tripartite committee under the Minimum Wage Law of 1974. Inflation has very probably made this amount obsolete.

The ministry responsible for labour

The 2021 document names the Ministry of Labor and Social Development as the competent authority. Its name and structure may have changed since; check with the Sudanese embassy in your country which administration currently handles work authorisations.

Rules for non-Sudanese workers

The Organization of Employment of Non-Sudanese Act of 2001 governs the hiring of foreign nationals. According to the World Bank, these employees need a residence permit that authorises them to work. A visitor visa alone is therefore not enough to take up a post.

Labour market statistics

No recent unemployment rate has been verified. The World Bank and ILOSTAT maintain pages on the country, with modelled estimates. These figures remain estimates and do not necessarily reflect the current situation of the labour market.

Sudanjob and general job boards

Sudanjob is the national vacancy site that appeared in search results during our checks. Its recent activity has not been verified. Look at the publication date of every advert and contact the employer through its official channels before sending any documents.

Humanitarian work and international organisations

Aid agencies advertise posts linked to the emergency response; always check the duty station stated in the advert. The roles involved, from logistics to protection, are covered in detail on our page on NGO jobs.

Searching from a neighbouring country

Some organisations cover the country from regional offices, so look at the duty station. The residence rules and platforms described for Egypt and South Sudan can help you target these offices.

Sudanese diaspora: making the most of your background

Diaspora candidates often bring Arabic, English and local knowledge that donors look for. Highlight your recognised qualifications, your project management experience and your verifiable references rather than a simple list of duties.

Overview of African job sites

To widen the search beyond the country, the page job sites and recruitment in Africa lists the platforms we have checked one by one, whether pan-African or specialised in executive, humanitarian and development institution roles.

Institutional reference points in Sudan

• Ministry of Labor and Social Development: Ministry responsible for labour cited in the 2021 documents; its current structure should be confirmed with the authorities.
• Comité tripartite national des salaires: National tripartite wages committee that sets the minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law of 1974.
• NATLEX (OIT) – Labour Code 1997: Official ILO record of the Sudanese labour code of 1997 and its references.
• ILOSTAT – profil Soudan: International Labour Organization statistical profile with the available employment and unemployment indicators.
• Sudanjob: Sudanese job board found in search results; recent activity not verified.

Steps towards a job in Sudan

1. First assess the security situation in the target city and your own country's travel advice.
2. Favour employers able to arrange your stay, your insurance and a possible evacuation.
3. Prepare a bilingual Arabic and English CV, with professional references who can be reached.
4. Ask the employer to confirm in writing the residence permit procedure that authorises work.
5. Have the contract state the currency of payment, as inflation quickly erodes salaries in pounds.
6. Keep a secure digital copy of all your documents in case of loss or a hurried departure.

Key labour figures for Sudan

Candidate file for Sudan

• CV in Arabic or English depending on the employer
• Legalised and translated diplomas
• Valid passport
• Residence permit authorising work for non-Sudanese nationals
• Employment certificates and letters of recommendation
• Criminal record certificate if the employer requests it

Common candidate mistakes in Sudan

• Paying an intermediary who promises a contract with an international organisation: such recruitment is free and goes through the official portals.
• Working on a visitor visa when, according to the World Bank, foreign nationals need a residence permit that authorises work.
• Negotiating a salary with reference to the 2020 minimum, without taking account of the steep inflation since then.
• Replying to old adverts without checking that the employer is still hiring in the current context.
• Signing a contract that says nothing about security, accommodation or repatriation if the situation worsens.

Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.