Solidarités International
Desired start date: 15/07/23
Duration of the mission: 1 year, potentially renewable
Location: Sittwe, Rakhine state
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 is currently mainly operating in Rakhine and in Kachin States with outreach emergency capacities through its local partners in Chin, Sagaing and Magway States. The operations are supported by the Coordination team based in Yangon.
While continuing to support the vulnerable communities suffering from a long-term protracted crisis, SI is also developing a stronger and more responsive Emergency component, either directly or through local partners, to tackle the growing needs spreading across the country.
In November 2022, 12 international staff and 310 national staff are working with SI Myanmar to implement projects focusing on Wash, FSL and Emergency response. Projects are ranging from immediate life-saving response (Water Scarcity in Rakhine, rehabilitation, Operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, desludging and sludge treatment, water supply facilities, Emergency response to new displacements etc.) to the search for more sustainable solutions to protracted crisis (handover to communities and local organizations, capacity-building, community empowerment etc.).
SI’s main donors are FCDO, ECHO, CIAA, CDCS and UN agencies.
The base
The Rakhine base has 2 main locations of activities: Sittwe camps- SIT (under UNOPS funding) and Pauktaw camps – PKT (under UNICEF, ECHO, CDCS, UNOPS multi-funding). The main activities fall under the WASH sector with a few FSL sectors in a limited number of camps.
In 2023, the main programs on-going in Rakhine Sittwe area are:
Emergency WASH assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts in Sittwe Township.
Response to new and protracted crises affecting internally displaced persons living in protracted displacement camps and recently displaced conflict affected persons through integrated multi-sector assistance and community engagement.
Implementation of localization OXSI strategy (Oxfam-SI).
Abou the job
The role
The Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director for a region of a country in which Solidarités International intervenes.
Main tasks, responsibilities, and challenges
Coordination and strategic orientation: The context of Rakhine and complexities are extremely multi-layered. It is in perpetual evolution and requires close monitoring and constant adaptation to access constraints but also political agenda of various stakeholders, including on issues such as camp closure, repatriation, parallel governance systems etc.
Relevance and operational quality / operation monitoring: The key challenge is related to access. Furthermore, the context is sensitive, and every action done can be misinterpreted, the geopolitical situation changes continuously and so do the dynamics with authorities and community leaders.
Human resources management: The team has gone through a recent nationalization process while some of the expatriates are working from out of country and as such, capacity-building and proper coordination mechanisms are critical aspects. The senior manager positions are, as of now, filled with qualified and experienced professionals. The team knows what they must do and support of Coordination is there. The FC will have to continue working on strengthening the coordination between the teams and reducing tensions.
Security management, in a context very fragile where a relatively small event can lead to an inter-community conflict or speech against international community, is critical. In terms of security in Sittwe there is limited risk as of now, but security management can take a lot of the FC’s time and energy with many incidents on the field (threats to our staff, community tensions, rising control of Authorities in a tensed political environment, etc.). A great portion of the work is to monitor the situation and analyze it via various platforms. Security situation feeds into risk analysis of various actions we take in relation to travel authorizations, obtainment of permits, movement of staff and of materials.
Financial backer relations / search for funding: funding for Myanmar in general and even more for protracted crisis such as Rakhine is reducing, unproportionally to the needs.
Internal and external communication: Internal communication remains challenging with camp-based teams who face movement restrictions as well as with some office staff because of language barriers.
Representation: Sittwe is the capital of the Rakhine State, and a Regional Humanitarian Coordination is in place as the city hosts a lot of INGO, all UN agencies and the State government. The time spent in representation is significant (meetings, donors and diplomate’s visits, authorities’ discussion, etc.). The remote set-up due to access issues for expatriates adds another layer of complexity and time-consumption.
Priorities for the first 2/3 months
Management
Adjusted Strategy implementation and proposals
Security and access Management
External representation
Your profile
Post graduate level in related field.
Experience
Substantial experience in a similar or senior management position in an overseas INGO environment, ideally in both emergency and longer-term contexts and with significant HR volume to manage (hybrid set up, >200 national staff and few international staff).
Experience of strategic planning.
Proven experience in managing teams notably in complex ethnic and/or religious contexts or sensitive environments.
Proven experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts and insecure environments.
Experience of managing security and access.
Experience of budget management and donor compliance.
Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues and partners from different functions and cultures, experience of external representation responsibilities (coordination and negotiation skills).
Experience in remote management.
Technical skills
Strong knowledge in team management and mentoring.
Capacity to deal with many different issues, to self- update and learn very quickly from a highly and constantly evolving environment.
An ability to analyze information quickly and accurately.
Ability to manage and prioritize a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
Good representational skills, Ability to liaise, INGOs, other agencies, authorities and donors.
A good understanding of security management.
A good understanding of humanitarian issues including IDPs, camp management protection, advocacy.
Ability to write/edit quality reports in English.
Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office.
Knowledge and/or experience on the Rohingya crisis is an asset.
Ability to work in multi-cultural environment; more generally, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and strong cultural sensitivity.
Ability to work and prioritize under pressure.
Willingness to work in a volatile security context.
Transferable skills
Diplomacy and strong communication skills (experience in Southeast Asia is an asset).
Ability to take initiatives, decisions and work in autonomy is essential.
Good problem-solving skills in day to day and crisis situations.
As line manager, the candidate must display diplomatic and smooth leadership skills.
An understanding of and commitment to SI’s mission and values.
Language
Bilingual in English and capacity to work with non-native English speakers.
Burmese or French are a plus.
SI will offer you
A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 2860 gross / per month (EUR 2600 base salary, gross / month + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) + a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.
SI covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
The Field Coordinator lives in a shared guesthouse with the other international colleagues.
Breaks
During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every 3 months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with USD 850 allocated by SI). In addition to these, SI adds 1 additional rest day per month of work, i.e. 12 additional days off for a one-year contract.
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
Sittwe is the capital of the Rakhine state and is located 1 hour away (by flight) from Yangon. The weather is classified as a tropical monsoon climate. There is access to basic health care in Sittwe, as well as to a restaurant and a few supermarkets where people can buy all basic items.
The guesthouses are comfortable (with a large common area, private bathrooms in some rooms, AC in all rooms) and a proper kitchen area in each. They are equipped with basic furniture (beds, tables, cupboards…) and mosquito nets, bed linen, towels, and fans.
The office is located 5 minutes from the guesthouses by car.
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