SYRIA – FIELD COORDINATOR (M/F) – RAQQA

Posted on: 25.01.2023

Desired start date: 01/03/2023
Duration of the mission: 1 year
Location: based in Raqqa, North East Syria

ABOUT THE MISSION…

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid NGO, 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 – approx.3000 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.

SI has been working in Syria since 2012. The mission employs more than 340 staff and provides assistance to more than 1 million Syrians. There are 3 implementing offices in Syria (2 in Northeast Syria/NES, 1 in Northwest Syria/NWS) with the coordination based in Amman – Jordan and support colleagues in Erbil, KRI.

The NES programs provide an integrated assistance in the WASH, NFI, Shelter and Livelihoods sectors to displaced populations and host communities affected by the conflict.

In West of Northeast Syria, main current activities are related to WaSH, FSL and shelter, WaSH rehabilitation, with nexus approach (emergency to early recovery and rehabilitation).

ABOUT THE JOB

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The WNES (West of North East Syria) Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director (CD) for Raqqa, west Deir-Ez-Zor and East Aleppo Governortaes.

He/she proposes a regional strategy according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once validated.
He/she checks and ensures that projects are carried out in accordance with the Solidarités International charter, respecting all internal and contractual procedures
He/she mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for programs to run smoothly and supervises resource management.
He/she coordinates the teams in place and is responsible for their security in his/her assigned zone.
He/she is the Country Director’s direct contact and representative.

The position directly manages a deputy FC on programs and 4 support managers (security, logistics, supply, admin). A Compliance Manager for NES to be based in Raqqa has been budgeted and will soon be recruited.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Propose, develop and adapt operational strategy within his/her intervention zone
Responsible for security of teams and property within his/her intervention zone
Internal/external communication and coordination within his/her intervention zone
Act as official representative for SI in his/her intervention zone
Resource management (ensure human, financial, and logistical resources are mobilized to accomplish projects in his/her intervention zone)

MAIN TASKS

Coordination and strategic orientation
Relevance and operational quality / operation monitoring
Resource management
Human resource management
Security
Financial backer relations / search for funding
Internal and external communication
Representation

PRIORITIES FOR THE 2/3 FIRST MONTHS

Ensure continuity of the quality of the activities and the opening of new projects
Support identification, design and implementation of new projects
Contribute to a better integration of programs and the strengthening of the FSL sector.
Participate to efforts at mission level to expand to hard-to-reach areas.

YOUR PROFILE

EDUCATION

University degree in a field related to International Relations or Development studies

TECHNICAL SKILLS

3-5 years of practical experience of planning, management, and implementation of procedures in the context of INGO humanitarian operations.
Experience in post-conflict contexts
Strong experience in security management
Strategic thinking and willingness to develop SI intervention in new areas
Proven influencing and negotiating skills with internal and external audiences (Access Working Group, donors) including in complex and stressful circumstances (local authorities, community representatives, Armed Groups Leaders…).
Proven management experience.

SOFT SKILLS AND SPIRIT

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, together with the capacity to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities. Must be organised and efficient.
A sound understanding of the importance of gender.
Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
Willingness to travel at short notice, and often in difficult circumstances.
Excellent organization skills and rigor
Committed to SI principles

LANGUAGE

Bilingual in English
Arabic language skills are an asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 2 860 gross per month (EUR 2 600 gross per month + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) i.e. + a monthly Per Diem of USD 700 per month once arrived on the field.

SI 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 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

Security in NES can be volatile and justifies specific arrangements for accommodation and displacements in the areas of intervention. Adherence to strict security procedures is necessary, while the security levels can vary according to the different geographical locations and the changes of context.

The compound in Raqqa consists of 3 buildings (2 GHs and 1 office) next to each other, with outside space to meet on weekends and enough inside space to organize events with staff. While the curfew in the late evening and the impossibility to walk in the city pose some limitations, the increasing restaurants and services in Raqqa provide enough solutions to go out and meet other NGOs in green settings or along the Euphrates River. Tabqa city is one hour away and is an entertaining destination for day trips to the castle, a restaurant along the water or coffee bars. Additionally, the area guarantees a good variety of local and imported products, and whatever is missing can easily be bought in Erbil during the regular car movements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send us your CV and cover letter in English.

If you have already been technically validated for SI on the position, please mention it.

NB: the vacancy may close before the deadline.

To learn more about SI, please visit our website.