Solidarités International recruits 01 DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR-PROGRAMS

Solidarités International recruits 01 DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR-PROGRAMS

Desired start date: 15/05/2019
Duration of the mission: 12 months
Location: Amman, with frequent travel in Northeast Syria

ABOUT THE MISSION …

SI has been working in Syria since 2012 and currently has strong coverage for WASH, FSL and NFI programs across North West (NWS) and North East Syria (NES). The NES programs provide an integrated assistance in the WASH, NFI, Shelter and Livelihoods sectors to displaced populations and host communities affected by the conflict. NWS programs are remotely managed and provide WASH and NFI/Winterization support to affected populations. Since 2016, SI has been partnering with a local health partner to develop and strengthen a WASH-and-Health integrated approach, and is currently developing the streamlining of Protection within its existing programs.

The mission is expanding through a major consortium with 4 partners led by SI, which started in October 2018. The LEARN consortium funded by OFDA ( Linking Assistance and Relief in Northeast Syria ) will support equitable and safe access to essential basic services including WASH, Shelter and Health, for the most vulnerable populations affected by conflict and displacement in Northeast Syria.

The Syria mission counts about 340 national staff, more than 60 expatriates, and has a 20 million USD budget forecasted for 2019.

ABOUT THE JOB…

SI is looking for a Deputy Country Director – Programs, based in Amman and with regular visits to project locations.

In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD) and the DCD-Support, the DCD-Programs prime objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming and implementation (including MEAL) according to SI global and mission strategies and frameworks. The DCD-P is in charge of overseeing the strengthening of SI’s programme positioning and profile externally (coordination bodies, local stakeholders and donors), with a strong attention to ensure crosscutting issues are mainstreamed.

The DCD-P ensures the internal coherence between programme activities and is responsible for ensuring that programmes are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately.

Based in Amman with regular visits in project locations, the DCD-P is part of SI Syria Senior Management Team, and has direct line-management of the Technical Coordinators (WaSH, Cash-Based Interventions, MEAL), WaSH Working Group Coordinator and Grants Manager.

SPECIFIC STAKES AND CHALLENGES

• Complex operational environment, combining remote management / partnership / hard-to-reach areas
• Uncertain contextual perspectives requiring creative and flexible programming approaches
• Large-scale mission (financial budget, HR volume), with numerous interlocutors at coordination and field level, including Consortium Coordination

PRIORITIES FOR THE 2/3 FIRST MONTHS

• Continue to support the development of activities’ portfolio with objectives of timeliness, integration and internal / external compliance in mind
• Monitor the development of the mission based on the findings of the humanitarian needs assessments to secure continuity of operations and access to the areas of intervention
• Support the stabilization of mission’s operational setup (coordination matrixes, planning and reporting / accountability processes/tools)
• Support strategic decision-making for future mission development

YOUR PROFILE

Diploma/education:

• Post-graduate degree in humanitarian and/or development studies, social sciences, political sciences or similar field

Experience:

• Substantial experience in a senior management position in an overseas NGO environment, ideally in both emergency and developmental contexts;
• Previous experience in strategy development
• Experience in leading program development across multiple bases, multi-sector with multiple donors, preferably with knowledge of using contextual understanding and evidence to strategically guide the mission’s development with regards to programs;
• Experience of managing large teams in multiple locations with various challenges;
• Experience of budget management;
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures;
• Experience in Donor relations (ECHO, OFDA, UN, CDCS, EuropeAid; others desirable in view of donors’ portfolio diversification (GAC, DFID…)
• Previous experience in Middle East highly desirable
• Previous experience with SI is an asset.

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge about project cycle management and monitoring tools;
• Extensive knowledge of humanitarian programming, in emergency and development context
• An ability to reflect on and learn from own performance and the performance of the program; and to act upon that learning;
• An ability to analyze information quickly and accurately;
• Good problem solving skills in day to day and crisis situations;
• A flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines;
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office, Excel;
• Extensive report writing skills in English;
• Capacity to deal with many different issues, programs, sectors, to self- update and learn very quickly from a highly and constantly evolving environment;
• Strong representation / public relation skills.

Soft skills and spirit:

• Essential: Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and understanding
• Essential: Demonstrate personal and professional integrity in all interactions
• Essential: Highly sensitive to a Humanitarian needs-based programming approach
• Essential: Strong oral and written communication skills
• Essential: Be prepared to travel to implementation sites and regional, global meetings as required

Languages:

• Fluent English with excellent writing capacities is mandatory
• Arabic will be an asset
• French will be an asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU…

A salaried position: starting from 2860 euros gross per month (2400€ + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly per diem of 785 USD a month. Please note that salary is not negotiable with SI.

This position is open to family package.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of on 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3/6 and 9 month (with 850 USD allocated by SI).

To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of 1 additional rest day per month worked (i.e. 12 days in addition for a 1-year contract)

Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

For further information about Solidarités International, please consult our website:  http://www.solidarites.org/en/

[LIVING CONDITIONS : ]

Accommodation will be in SI apartments; this position is also open to accomodation package.

Living conditions are very good and staffs have access to a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars. Most of occidental products (food, clothing…) are easily accessible in Amman. The country also proposes several destinations for weekends.

Security inside NES is volatile and justifies specific arrangements for accommodation and displacements in the areas of intervention. Adherence to strict security procedures is necessary, while the security levels can vary according to the different geographical locations and the changes of context.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

NB:  The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension