Marib – Field Coordinator (M/F) – Yemen

Desired start date: 01/04/2024
Duration of the mission: 9 months
Location: Marib

ABOUT US

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 some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2500 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

SI opened its mission in Yemen in 2017, establishing its coordination in Aden. Since then, SI expanded the geographical scope of its intervention, and established offices in Al Turbah and Al Mokha in Taizz Governorate and operational presence in Hodeidah, Lahj, Dahle, Marib and Abyan Governorates

The mission has a forecasted budget of about 13M Euros for the year 2023. 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 approx. 19 expatriates and about 120 national staffs. Objectives for the mission for 2023 is to build on its Emergency Response capacity to expand in hard to reach areas, and develop qualitative interventions responding to emergency and protracted needs, while enhancing resilience.

In Al Mokha, SI implements emergency and resilience WASH programs, funded by ECHO, CDCS, and SDC and Dutch MOFA. WASH activities entail water trucking, rehabilitation of water network, construction of emergency latrines and showers, distribution of hygiene kits, hygiene promotion, and cleaning campaigns; and a 3-years resilience project looking for more innovative, sustainable and resilience focus wash activities. Under its FSL portfolio, SI distributes unconditional, multi-purpose cash to IDPs.

SI has been one of the first humanitarian actors to access the West Coast, and remains as of today positioned in hard-to-reach areas close to the frontline of Hodeidah and Maqbanah. SI aims at maintaining this positioning and further expanding its presence. After a significant scale up in financial and operational volume on the West Coast in 2019, SI is expecting to maintain a similar portfolio in the area for 2023.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Field Coordinator is expected to perform all the key tasks for the role, in terms of leadership, management and strategic development. He/she will be expected to lead the development of Marib as a full-fledged base, and strengthen programming in Al Wadi. Solid security management and negotiation skills are a must for the area, given the numerous security threats and difficult environment in particular in working with authorities and tribes.

The main challenges:

Marib is an area with high security concerns, given proximity to frontlines as well as general insecurity due to the presence of multiple armed groups, criminal and radicalized actors. Authorities are very restrictive in allowing movement for iNGOs and therefore developing strong relationships and coordination with authorities and other partners will be essential. The strengthening of a solid security management system and its thorough implementation is a must.
The base is new and needs significant further capacity building, both in terms of support and programs (the current team being quite junior) and inter-department coordination.
Finally, the programming projection is currently limited to basic early-recovery activities enabling to gain local acceptance. Projected funding for 2024-2025 is limited and the donor-driven need to find a partner to work with is a high priority in order to maintain SI relevance in the area. However, the evolution and magnitude of the needs impose the development of a more complex and multi-layered operational strategy for 2024. In the first place, the integration of dedicated funding from CDCS and BHA will require a team and operational scale up.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Capacity building of staff, especially in the nationalization of both other expat positions (Admin and Log)
Identify local and international partnerships with focus on access to new areas
Developing access strategy and strengthening coordination with other actors
Reinforcement and implementation of security protocols
Networking and context analysis C19

YOUR PROFILE

Education / academic background:

Diploma (BA or MA) in relevant field (Political science, international relations or other)
3-4 years experience in the humanitarian sector
1-2 year(s) experience on a similar position

Specific skills and experience:

Knowledge and experience of Yemen or Middle East appreciated
Management skills including security management
Leadership and Negotiation skills
Multi projects and multi donors management experience
Strong interpersonal skills and problem solving capacity, anticipation and self-organization capacities
Great drive to achieve results and stress management capacities, willingness to work in complex and violatile environment

Language:

Fluency in written and oral English mandatory
Arabic is an asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750.

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 two 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:

Individual, comfortable room in the guesthouse, with electricity 24/7.
Internet and Phone network available
Restaurants and international food are available

Living conditions in Marib are very good with an easy access to a wide range of restaurants, cafes…

Security risks are low, and restrictions are very limited.

However, when going on the field bases, living conditions are more basic, with fewer opportunities for socialization, as well as some individual movements’ restrictions. Security levels vary according to the different geographical locations and changes of context.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!

Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.

Thank you for your understanding.

To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org

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Solidarités International (SI) est déterminé à prévenir et à combattre tout type d’abus – tout acte d’exploitation, d’abus et/ou de harcèlement sexuels (SEAH) à l’encontre des membres des communautés bénéficiaires ou de ses collaborateurs et collaboratrices, atteinte aux personnes et/ou aux biens, fraude, corruption, conflit d’intérêt non déclaré, financement d’activités portant atteinte aux droits de l’homme – qui pourrait être perpétré dans le cadre de ses interventions. SI applique une tolérance zéro à l’égard de tout type d’abus, particulièrement des actes de SEAH.

Solidarités International est un employeur équitable qui combat toute forme de discrimination. SI ne demandera jamais une rétribution quelconque en vue de participer à un processus de recrutement.

Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH.

Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.