Solidarités International
Desired start date: February
Duration of the mission: 1 year
Location: Kabul
ABOUT THE MISSION
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL was created in Afghanistan in 1980 at the time of Soviet Occupation and has been supporting Afghan people for 38 years. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has always maintained its presence in the country until 2018, without interruption covering a wide range of activities, (water, hygiene and sanitation / food security and livelihoods / shelter) for population affected by conflicts or natural disasters, from emergency response to development-oriented programs.
The organization has resumed its program in Afghanistan in December 2021 and has established a presence in Bamiyan, Kapisa, Wardak and Kabul provinces. It has launched exploratory missions in Nimroz and Farah provinces as well. In 2022, SI has implemented food security and WASH programs and aim at scaling them up in 2023, while beginning operations in Nimroz and Farah provinces. SI currently has 70 employees (4 international employees) with an annual budget of 2m euro. In 2023, this budget should at least double, while the team should grow to 120 employees.
In 2023, SI will scale up its food security and WASH programs in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the South-West. This program will be emergency based, responding to future shocks, in particular future natural disasters and epidemics outbreaks (Cholera). SI will also aim at building community resilience, reinforcing access to WASH services and infrastructure, while developing livelihoods in rural areas.
To learn more about the Afghanistan mission, please click here.
ABOUT THE JOB
General objectives
The Country Director is Solidarités International’s official representative in a country. He / She oversees the smooth running of the mission. He / She proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated. He / She monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures. He / She mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources. He / She coordinates the teams in place and ensures their security on the mission. He / She is the direct liaison for Solidarités International’s HQ.
Main responsibilities and priorities
Representation of the Organization and Coordination with other actors:
- Local and National Authorities to secure principled humanitarian access and build acceptance at provincial and district level
- Donors to strengthen existing relations and further develop SI’s profile and promote SI’s strategy and programs for scale-up and future funding
- UN agencies and clusters to enhance sectorial and geographical coordination, while increasing the level of funding coming from the UN agencies.
- INGOs and NGO, especially via ACBAR (Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief & Development) to ensure humanitarian coordination and develop bilateral cooperation.
Security and humanitarian access:
- Follow the evolution of the national and provincial security context.
- Serve as main focal point for the mission for critical incidents.
- Liaise with security national authorities and other stakeholders (INGOs, INSO, NGO Forum, UN).
- Brief new staff on security context of the country and the mission.
- Update the security package accordingly and ensure compliance with security and safety regulations.
- Pursue the implementation of SI’s Access strategy to ensure principled delivery of principled humanitarian assistance.
- Train and mentor employees involved in Security, Access, and Liaison (Field Co, Field co Assistant, DCD and Liaison and Access Manager).
Strategic orientation:
- With the support of the Program Coordinator, design and launch assessments to enhance SI’s understanding of its areas of operations.
- Based on assessments, update the strategy of the mission in terms of geographical coverage and sectors of intervention.
- Ensure that all departments align with this strategy and kick-off the development of departmental strategies (HR, logistics, finance, admin, MEAL, etc.) to allow implementation of the organizational strategy.
- Realign this strategy based on the level of funding available, with a possible scale-up in 2023.
Proposal developments and fundraising:
- Engage actively with potential donors at country-level.
- Remain up to date with regards to fundraising opportunities and decide, with the support of the Desk and the Program Coordinator, whether SI shall apply or not.
- Develop partnership opportunities with other actors.
- Lead the proposal development process, engaging with Prog Coordinator, Admin Coordinator, Log Coordinator and Field Coordinators.
- Ensure timely and quality submissions to maximize the chances of funding.
Education:
Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, political science, international organization management or project management or a relevant field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5-6 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 3 years in the humanitarian environment.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience as Country Director or equivalent, developing and managing sustainable relief programs (conflict and post-conflict settings), with specific skills in strategic planning, assessment, program design and development, and monitoring and evaluation + 1-2 years as coordinator of humanitarian actions.
- Previous experience with SI would be likeable.
- Proven experience in conflict contexts and insecure environments, with consequent experience in supporting emergency response.
- Experience of team management.
- Previous experience in Afghanistan would be an asset.
Skills:
- Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to multi-task and support and/or fill multiple positions at one time.
- High management abilities, and particularly team management skills and capacities to provide distance technical support.
- Significant experience of building and supervising large and culturally diverse teams of expatriate and national staff, and interest in capacity building of people.
- Significant knowledge and experience of grant writing and management for major institutional donors, including EU, BHA/USAID, ECHO, UN Agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, etc.) and pooled funding mechanisms, such as CHF.
- Ability, acquired through experience, to 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 professionally and appropriately.
- Strong initiatives and improvisation capacities.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members.
- Good stress management.
- Important flexibility and adaptability.
Languages:
Fluent in English, written and spoken. Dari or Pashto would be an asset.
SI WILL OFFER YOU
A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 3300 gross per month (base salary EUR 3000 + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem given on the mission.
SI covers 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 one break after every two months spent on the mission, with a break allowance of 850 USD allocated by SI.
Insurance package
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which covers 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 security
The security environment in Afghanistan remains tense, dynamic and volatile. While the risks associated with the conflict between the government and the armed opposition have significantly decreased since 15th of August 2022, third party armed groups (notably ISKP) continue to operate in certain provinces including Kabul and the possibility of the emergence of new opposition groups cannot be ignored. On the other hand, the country has always witnessed a certain level of criminality.
The Country Director is living in a shared guesthouse with the other international staffs.
Living conditions are quite fair in Kabul, with possible access to all essential goods and services. The security situation can be tense, and travel is sometimes restricted, but it is possible to have a social life.
Living conditions in the field are often harsher (limited access to electricity, harsher weather conditions, isolation, etc.) with paradoxically, depending on the area, less strict security conditions.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send us your CV and cover letter in English.
If you have already been technically validated by SI on the position, please mention it.
NB: the vacancy may close before the deadline.
To learn more about SI, please visit our website