Solidarités International (SI) recruits 01 Field Coordinator Emergency Response Team

Solidarités International (SI) recruits 01 Field Coordinator Emergency Response Team

Desired start date:  ASAP 
Duration of the mission: 6 months (renewable pending fundings)
Location: Position based in Aden

ABOUT THE JOB …

SI opened its mission in Yemen in 2017, establishing its coordination in Aden. Over the course of 2018, SI expanded the geographical scope of its intervention, and established presence in Al Turbah and Al Mokha in Taizz Governorate. With the opening of Al Mokha base late 2018, SI was one of the first humanitarian actors to start operations on the “West Coast”, which are now covering the southern districts of Hodeidah Governorate, close to one of the main frontlines of the conflict. In Al Turbah, SI is now looking at expanding its programming to recovery-type of projects, as well as its outreach to the city of Taizz, which after Hodeidah has been the second main frontline of the war.

For the year 2019/20; the mission has a forecasted budget of about 8M Euros. It operates from Aden, where the coordination is based, and 2 operational field bases located in Al Turbah and Al Mokha. The mission is composed of 15 expatriates and about 100 national staffs and is funded by OFDA, CDC, YHPF, DutchMoFA and ECHO. SI Programming in Yemen focuses on addressing immediate food needs of communities at risk of famine, as well as providing timely response to displacements of population and AWD/Cholera outbreaks. Its portfolio is primarily composed of WASH Emergency projects, along with unconditional cash distribution. Strategic and institutional priorities for the mission in 2019/20 is to strengthen its Emergency Response capacity, and develop operational capacity in Taizz city. In parallel, and where feasible, SI is looking at implementing recovery-type of programming.

The Log Admin Emergency Response Team will support implementation of SI WASH cholera response activities across southern Yemen. With the financial support of ECHO, the following activities will be implemented as need arises : WASH support to opening and running Diarrhea Treatment Centers, water trucking, water system rehabilitation, cholera prevention kit distribution, and hygiene promotion. SI is in the process of submitting a grant to OFDA to increase the volume of emergency WASH activities, and expand the scope of its Emergency Response Team to emergency cash-for-food distribution.

The mission has a forecasted budget of about 8M Euros for the year 2019. It operates from Aden, where the coordination is based, and 2 operational field bases located in Al Turbah and Al Mokha. The mission is composed of 15 expatriates and about 80 national staffs. Objectives for the mission for 2019 is to strengthen its Emergency Response capacity, and develop operational capacity in Taizz city

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Field Coordinator Emergency Response leads the flying Emergency Response Team based in Aden. In coordination with the Technical Coordinators and under the leadership of the Country Director, he/she develops the emergency response strategy of the mission. He/she supports and oversees the implementation of programs across the different areas of intervention. He/she actively coordinates with humanitarian partners to identify emergency needs, gaps in response, and proposes appropriate response as part of the mandate of the ERT. With the support of the Field Coordinator Assistant, he/she maintains close monitoring of the security situation in its areas of operation, and negotiates access to hard-to-reach areas with relevant stakeholders. He/she oversees support department and ensure adherence to SI procedures.

Responsibilities and main activities:

The Field Coordinator will manage a team of 2 expatriates (1 WASH Program Manager, 1 Log/Adm), and 17 national staffs, including one Field Coordinator Assistant. The team will be recruited upon arrival of the Field Coordinator, hence require substantial orientation and capacity building. The Field Coordinator directly reports to the Country Director.

Specific Stake and Challenges :

The position is a new opening, and is part of mission’s strategy to scale up its emergency response capacity. Specific challenges associated with the position relate to challenges associated with implementing emergency response programming in Yemen; i.e. insecurity and access constraints (including administrative access constraints), and poor coordination between humanitarian actors.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months :

• Recruit and orient the team (new base) on SI mandate, charter, and processes
• Develop SoPs to support rapid deployment of teams in new areas
• Kick start WASH Cholera response activities in support to the Program Manager
• Ensure SI processes are enforced within the base

YOUR PROFILE

The applicant must have a strong appetite for emergency programming, and significant prior experience in implementing or overseeing such projects in complex humanitarian environment.

• Education and Experience
  • Post-graduate with at least 5 years’ experience as humanitarian worker
  • Prior substantial experience in unstable environment (conflict / post conflict country)
  • Experience in working in tense security context with strict security rules
  • Experience in implementing/supervision emergency projects
  • Prior experience in cholera response is an asset
  • Prior substantial experience in security management
  • Knowledge of the sub-region/prior experience in Yemen is an asset
• Knowledge and Technical skills
  • Good and proven writing and spoken English are required
  • Knowledge of emergency programing (knowledge of cholera response in an asset)
  • Knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• Transferable skills
  • Advanced leadership and management skills
  • Good analytical and writing skills
  • Advanced communication and negotiation skills
  • Ability to work under stress/pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Qualities
  • Skill transfer ability highly appreciated
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Anticipation and self-organization capacities
  • Willingness to work in complex and volatile environments

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from 2860 euros gross per month (2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem rate of 750 USD a month. SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

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 Solidarités).

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.

LIVING CONDITIONS AND CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO SECURITY :

Aden

The situation in terms of security remains tense in Aden and its surrounding Lahj governorate, due to the proximity of the frontline, the political unrest and the presence of armed opposition groups such as IS and AQAP. Main identified threats for Aden are crossfire (wrong location at the wrong moment), kidnapping or hostage taking (even though there is no proven history of kidnapping of expatriates), crowd mob and road accidents.

The field office in Aden is shared with the guesthouse (same building). It is located 5 minutes-drive from the coordination office, which also shares guesthouse and office. Security rules in Aden are rather restrictive, with a curfew at 6.00 pm, extended to 20.00 pm in the green zone, where most INGOs are located. Expatriates are allowed to go to the supermarket, to one restaurant, and two beaches (including one reachable by boat). Guesthouse are comfortable as per middle-east standards (large rooms with AC, with high-standard bathrooms with running water).

Al Turbah

Ash Shamaytayn district, Taizz governorate, is currently bordering frontlines at the east and west parts of the district. Al-Turbah city remains out of reach of pro-Houthi fighters, the nearest frontline at Hifan is at 25 km, however there is no easy road access due to the mountains. Nowadays, based near Al Turbah city, military forces pro-Hadi (national army) secure the district and are comprised of 1,100 soldiers, and 500 additional soldiers part of the central security forces.

Al Mokha

The Saudi Led Coalition and the Yemeni west coast forces liberated Al Mokha city in February 2017. Displacement of population occurred in December 2017 with the liberation of Al Khokha (100 km north of Al Mokha) and the heavy fighting in Hays in February 2018. Al Mokha and Dhubab districts are not anymore close from the frontline. However there are some risks of landmines.

There is no formal civil authorities in Al Mokha, nevertheless the city is controlled by the Security Belt – southern forces backed by the Emiratis. All shops are open and people carrying out business as usual. Currently, there are 37 road checkpoints between Aden and Mokha cities.

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

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