Solidarités International
Desired start date: January/February 2023
Duration of the mission: 6 months
Location: Kabul-Kapisa, Bamyan and Nimroz (3 different positions)
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 around 6 million, while the team should grow to 150 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.
JOB DESCRIPTION
General objectives
The program manager is in charge of implementing and achieving the objectives defined in the proposals.
He/she is in charge of supervising the operational teams allocated to his/her program.
He/she guarantees the proper execution and the quality of the implemented program and, if applicable, suggests adjustments or developments to ensure its relevance.
The Program Manager will manage the program team in his respective base. S/he will be under the direct management of the Field Coordinator of his base (Kabul-Kapisa, Bamyan or Nimroz), and under the functional management of the Program Coordinator.
Main responsibilities and priorities
- Project relevance, quality, and design.
- Implementation and operational monitoring.
- Personnel management.
- Reporting / communication / representation.
Main priorities for the first three months
- Kick-off BHA and ECHO programs
- Participate to the Recruitment / training of the Program Team at field base level
- Support coordination (logistics and Program Coordinator)
- Quality insurance
- Review and validate (internally and with communities) community-based identification and selection process
- With the support of the Field Coordinator in Bamyan, conduct the identification and selection process of the activities in the targeted areas
- Draft the APUIC for the programs under its management
- Ensure the transfer modality is still adapted to the context (cash vs. in-kind)
- Ensure that the planned activities are relevant and meet the needs and adapt the planning if needed
- Ensure with the support teams that supply processes linked to the programs under its responsibility are launched and followed up
- Participate in development of new project proposals (UNDP, Unicef, AHF)
YOUR PROFILE
Education:
License or master’s degree related to humanitarian sector desirable – political sciences and Business Management accepted.
Experience:
Required
- At least one significant experience in as manager of humanitarian programs
- Experience with NGO
- At least 2 years of experience in project management
- Previous experience in implementing emergency project
- Previous experience in carrying out assessments
- Experience of working in tense security, volatile and emergency context
- Experience in team management
Desirable
- Previous experience in Afghanistan is an asset
- Experience in delivering training and capacity building of staff.
- Experience in WASH or FSL would be a very strong asset.
Technical skills and knowledge:
Required
- Mastering of project cycle management, and project reporting.
- Knowledge in proposal design and writing
- Good Communication /coordination and representation skills in English
Desirable
- Knowledge of SI rules and procedures would be an asset
- Knowledge on WASH or Food Security (ex: indicators FCS, CSI, CARI assessment, etc.), livelihood (agriculture, livestock) and markets (surveys, monitoring) is a strong asset
- Skills on GIS and MEAL software (Kobo, XLS)
- Knowledge of donors’ requirements and compliance rules (BHA)
Languages:
Fluent in English, written and spoken. Dari or Pashto would be an asset.
Other desirable qualities: Leadership and management / coordination with partners / planning and prioritization / flexibility / capacity to work under stress / solution making oriented / Team player / Transparency.
SI WILL OFFER YOU
A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 1980 gross per month (base salary EUR 1800 + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly 600 USD 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.
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 like Bamyan or Nimroz are often harsher (limited access to electricity, harsher weather conditions, isolation, etc.) with paradoxically, depending on the area, less strict security conditions.
In Bamyan, the expat would the only foreigner from SI deployed permanently in the area. However, there are several organizations with expats based there and there is a possibility to regularly come back to Kabul (once a month probably, more if necessary). There are 3 UNHAS flights from/to Kabul per week. Otherwise it’s a 4 to 6h drive (depending on whether condition). Winter can be really cold, but heating system will be available.
In Nimroz, there are at the moment no other organizations having expatriates based in Nimroz & Farah, but we plan to have two expatriates based there. Herat is the closest big city from Nimroz & Farah, respectively 7h & 3h30 away, with a significant expat presence and a possibility to spend the weekend there to break isolation.
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.