Desired start date: 01/12/2025
Duration of the mission: 6 months
Location: Sobat
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI’s interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.
About the mission
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL (SI) has been responding to humanitarian needs in South Sudan for over since 2006. In 2023, we will continue working alongside communities in some of the hardest to reach areas. SI provides clean water, sanitation and other lifesaving activities, while supporting vulnerable communities to strengthen their resilience to shocks, rebuild their livelihoods, and regain a sense of normality in some of the hardest of circumstances.
In 2022, the mission’s estimated budget is of USD 2,5+ million, and there are 50+ employees.
The Field Coordinator will be responsible for the management of the project in Sobat. The active projects are heavily focused on emergency and early recovery WASH programming and emergency FSL support.
The Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director (CD) for a region of a country in which Solidarités International intervenes.
He/she proposes a regional strategy according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once validated.
He/she checks and ensures that projects are carried out in accordance with the Solidarités International charter, respecting all internal and contractual procedures.
He/she mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for programs to run smoothly, and supervises resource management.
He/she coordinates the teams in place and is responsible for their security in his/her assigned zone.
He/she is the Country Director’s direct contact and representative.
The main challenges:
The Field Coordinator needs to lead the opening of the new SI base in the Sobat corridor and kick start the activities to ensure SI presence in the new location.
The FC will also need to lead the engagement with authorities and other political stakeholders, communities, NGOs and UN to ensure a coordinated approach in locations in which SI is not present.
Security and Access concerns as the areas are experiencing violence and open conflict.
Logistic issues linked to the access but also the physical/geographical aspect.
Currently lack of a physical location to be used as a base, even if temporary.
Communication might not always be easy in the locations under her/his responsibility.
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
Setting up the base.
Setting up basic mechanisms for community and stakeholders engagement.
Kick off of activities.
Security and Access assessment.
Base short term strategy.
Security constraints:
In Malakal, a 6 pm curfew applies, but movement is allowed within the humanitarian hub and UNMISS compound. The situation is volatile, with risks of conflict, violence, theft, and isolation if the river closes.
DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master Degree in humanitarian/development studies, social sciences, management or other related discipline.
Experience in the humanitarian sector : 5 years
Experience on a similar position :3 – 4 years
SKILLS:
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
1. Strong knowledge in team management and mentoring.
2. Capacity to deal with many different issues, to self- update and learn very quickly from a highly and constantly evolving environment.
3. Ability to manage and prioritize a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
4. Good representational skills, Ability to liaise, INGOs, other agencies, authorities and donors.
5. A good understanding of security management.
6. A good understanding of humanitarian issues including IDPs, camp management protection, advocacy.
7. Ability to write/edit quality reports in English.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS:
1. Ability to work in multi-cultural environment; more generally, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and strong cultural sensitivity.
2. Willingness to work in a volatile security context.
3. Ability to take initiatives, decisions and work in autonomy is essential.
4. Good problem-solving skills in day to day and crisis situations.
5. Important flexibility and adaptability.
6. Experience working with SI (or a similar organization) is an asset
7. Prior experience in South Sudan would be considered as an asset
8. Good stress management.
LANGUAGE:
1. Fluent in English, written and spoken.
2. Arabic is an asset.
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 2800 gross per month (3080 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.
SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.
Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds 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:
For Sobat base, yet to be defined, but most likely basic accomodation will be in other NGOs compounds with limited comfort for the first few weeks. Single bedroom very likely but shared common latrine and bath. Electricity and running water might be not available 24/7 and issues in comms, especially internet.
The FC, might need to spend some days in Malakal where SI is in the humanitarian hub in the UNMISS compound. Offices and guesthouses in prefab containers. Improvements in the last year with addition of kitchen and second bathroom. Few social distractions, but there is a cafeteria in the humanitarian hub and a bar in the UNMISS compound. Most other humanitarian organizations also in the hub/UNMISS compound, can take a bit of work to meet people. Limited food diversity (anything non-local needs brought from Juba), can get sometimes e.g. chips and pizza at the cafeteria / UNMISS bar, but fresh vegetables are limited! – The time in Malakal is howe ver expected to be limited and a better representation is the conditions of the Sobat base.
The candidate should be ready to live in complicated conditions, quite remote as presence of other NGOs in the area is very scarce. Almost no expatriates (except for short visits as of now) Juba break are possible every 6 weeks: a week of remote work in Juba.
More Information
- Job City Sobat
