Syria mission – Country Director – Based in Jordan (Amman)

Posted on: 31/05/2017
Desired start date: ASAP
Duration of the mission: 12 months
Location: Position based in Amman

Humanitarian situation / SI intervention

With the Syrian crisis now in its 6th year, 13.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 6 million IDPs and 5.7 million in severe need, according to the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2017 (OCHA HNO, 2017). Over half of the population have been forced from their homes, and many people have been displaced multiple times. Children and youth represent more than half of the displaced, as well as half of those in need of humanitarian assistance. In the absence of a political solution to the conflict, intense and widespread hostilities are likely to persist in 2017-2018. Many frontlines may move in 2017 and control over territories by the different parties is under constant change causing influx of IDPs. 6,100 individuals are estimated to be newly displaced every day in Syria.

SI acknowledges that IDP’s living in camps and settlements require high levels of support, facing extreme levels of poverty. In addition however, as areas become accessible following the retreat of ISIS, the humanitarian community is also now faced with host populations and IDP’s living in villages with significant needs, currently going unaddressed. Si’s strategy therefore has two approaches, the first to continue and expand support to IDP’s living in informal settlements or camps in Northern Syria. The second, to provide rehabilitation support for water and sanitation infrastructure in the newly accessible areas.

Solidarites International (SI) has been present in Northern Syria since 2013. Throughout this time, the organisation has focused its activities in Aleppo Governorate, primarily Azaz, Tall Refaat and Jabel Samaan districts and is considering expanding to other locations, particularly in response to the Raqqa crisis. Over this time, SI has positively established itself as a water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH), food security & livelihoods (FSL) and non-food item (NFI) actor, working in partnership with relevant Clusters and other (I)NGO’s via cross-border operations from Turkey.

SI is now in the process of relocating its teams in Amman via a new hub to carry out its operations inside Syria while a presence will be maintained in Turkey. The expatriate team will be based in Jordan with some travel to Turkey.

Please note that the Coordination team is remotely managing operations.

About the job

The Head of Mission is the official representative of SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL for Syria operations. S/he is in charge of the smooth running of the mission, proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context changes, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated. The HoM monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures. S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources. S/He is responsible for the safety and security of all staff and assets on the mission. The HoM oversees the overall coordination of the teams and operations and is the direct liaison for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL HQ.

The Head of Mission has a key role in developing the network with the other actors present and with the donors as well as developing SI strategy in the area. One of the main challenges of the context is to ensure the quality of the programs in an extremely volatile security context and in remote control, while staying in line with SI’s values and mandate. Transitioning to Jordan to manage the programmes while keeping a presence in Turkey, will also be a key priority in the coming months.

Specific tasks of the position:

• To develop and improve the remote management processes
• To follow up and analyze the geopolitical context and humanitarian needs/gaps
• To lead the design of accurate, timely and efficient humanitarian interventions, including by identifying unmet needs and potential responses by SI
• To develop/maintain donor network and seize funding opportunities
• To motivate and support both expatriate and national teams

Key priorities:

• To lead establishment of an office in Jordan
• To coordinate the development of an intervention strategy for the coming months based on needs and access issues, and on the experience of the current activities and identified needs.
• To monitor the development of the mission based on the findings of the humanitarian needs assessments
• To maintain good relationships with potential donors, UN agencies, NGO forum, partners, etc.
• To liaise with SI office in Turkey and provide support/guidance as needed in the administrative processes with the Turkish Authorities
• To support the Humanitarian Access Advisor in the development of a safety information network and in his relationships with the Syrian civil authorities and armed groups.

To pursue discussions with donors to ensure the funding of the mission.

Your profile

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, political science, organization / project management or other relevant field
• 5 years of professional humanitarian experience, including at least 2 missions in a complex and volatile context ; minimum of 2 years of experience as HoM/Country Director, Program coordinator or equivalent,
• Proven experience in conflict contexts and insecure environments, with consequent experience in supporting emergency response

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills
• High management abilities and capacities to provide distance technical support
• Significant knowledge and experience of grant writing and management for major institutional donors, including: ECHO, DFID, UN Agencies, etc.
• Ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend SI’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, departments and ministries, civil society organizations, and other international organizations
• Capacity to work in complex and volatile environments ; good stress management
• Diplomacy, autonomy, perseverance and creativity
• Strong interest in the Syrian crisis and in the Middle east context
• Cultural awareness and capacity to respect local customs

Languages:

• Fluent English: speaking, reading and writing skills
• Arabic is an asset

SI will offer

A salaried post: according to your experience from 2.530 euros gross per month, and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD and a housing allowance.

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.

Break: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7-day break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 14-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).

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

Contact

Corinne LORIN, Recruitment & Follow Up Officer

Application process

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

https://emea3.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?ID=PULFK026203F3VBQB6G8N8NX4&nPostingTargetID=19250

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