Solidarités International
Desired start date: ASAP Duration of the mission: TBD Location: Amuda (North East Syria)
ABOUT THE MISSION
The LEARN Consortium is a partnership between four (4) International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and two (2) national partners. It leverages the respective expertise from the I/NGO partners to deliver Health, Shelter, MPCA, protection, livelihoods, humanitarian coordination, and WASH services to the most vulnerable communities in north east Syria (NES).
The main activities being implemented are related to the rehabilitation and running of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), emergency WASH (water distribution and rehabilitation of water infrastructure), private and public institutional shelter repairs, distribution of essential kits (new arrivals, hygiene, shelter repairs) and MPCA to cover basic needs. The program incorporates a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM).
The implementing partners are based in and implement the activities throughout NES.
The Consortium Management Unit (CMU) is the oversight structure for the program that aims to facilitate smooth coordination, oversee program delivery, lead donor communications, ensure compliance and manage risk.
The CMU is led by the Chief of Party (COP – based in Jordan) and Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP – based in NES), together with a team of Specialists.
ABOUT THE JOB
Role
The Health Specialist contributes to the implementation and adaptation of the LEARN sector strategy and the wider LEARN strategy, including facilitating integration of Health with other LEARN sectors and activities (WASH, Shelter, Protection, maternal, infant and young child nutrition in emergencies (MIYCN-E) etc.). As such:
- He/she will ensure that effective partnership and collaboration are maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, program coordination and harmonization, information sharing and knowledge networking.
- He/she will provide technical input and advice to the implementing health and program teams at RI, UPP, PIN and SI.
Reporting to THE DCoP LEARN, the Health Specialist will ensure robust health sector interventions, update the Consortium on day-to-day health sector progress, issues and challenges, and support the health partners in implementing a harmonized system for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health sector interventions.
Additionally, the Health Specialist will work with LEARN partners to identify opportunities to include the nutrition as an additional sector based on the needs in NES and available resources.
Main responsibilities
- Coordination,
- Support with donor relations/communications,
- Medical expertise (especially the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) and working closely with the MEAL Specialist (around quality),
- Monitoring (field visits and project activity against workplan),
- Institutional strengthening (including harmonization where feasible and appropriate),
- Compliance/risk management.
The Health Specialist works with all partners, and has strong intersections with support services, especially logistics. The Health Specialist drives the lessons learnt agenda in health.
Further, the Health Specialist will lead on the integrated programming agenda.
The role requires a strong and up-to-date contextual understanding to bring to the table an understanding of gaps, needs and contextual impact.
The main challenges
- Deployment of a multi-partner, multi-million dollars project in a complex area of intervention
- Coordinates and supports consortium partners, both technically and also in communication, harmonization and integration to achieve the aims of the project
- Develop a positive work relationship internally to the consortium, as well as externally towards health actors present in the area
- Support the health partners and DCOP the revision of the health component of the LEARN Rapid Response Mechanism (triggers, core activities, handovers)
- The position requires a high mobility inside and outside the intervention area
Priorities for the 2/3 first months
- Lead on the health coordination agenda, focusing on a set of keys areas already identified by LEARN partners.
- Ensure smooth information sharing across the sectors where relevant to health.
- Support the joint learning exercises and revision of joint priorities for the health program and identify priority referrals and integration pathways with other sectors
Support Phase III implementation including learning from the closing Phase II (and development of community-based programming in the health sector), including timely and quality donor submissions
Education
An advanced medical degree as well as a degree in public health, nutrition or a related field (M.P.H; MSc health policy and Management; MS epidemiology; MS global health, etc.)
Experience & knowledge
- Strong experience in health program management and/or coordination in emergency response programs, preferably in a conflict setting, including experience with major grants;
- At least 5 years of professional experience within a humanitarian and/or development organization;
- Experience managing and coordinating emergency/rapid responses – outbreaks, population displacement, etc.;
- Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards;
- Previous experience of working in a consortium (desirable)
- Experience managing OFDA grants / technical guidelines of OFDA (desirable)
Transferable skills
- Excellent analytical and writing skills
- Strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation
- Excellent abilities to coordinate with people of different sectors/departments
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and representation skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently
- Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail
- Strong grasp of all stages of program cycle management and quality standards in humanitarian programming, including safeguarding and accountability mechanisms
- Excellent diplomatic and advising skills
Experience of working in complex and volatile contexts, including familiarity with the humanitarian context of Syria or the Middle East, would be an advantage
Language
- Bilingual in English
- Knowledge of Arabic is an asset
SI WILL OFFER YOU
A salaried position According to experience, starting from EUR 2860 gross / per month (EUR 2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD / month.
SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
The Health Specialist lives in a shared guesthouse with the other international LEARN specialists.
Breaks
Legal paid leaves are paid every month, and are included to the monthly gross salary, which is thus increased by 10% (see above).
During the mission, there is a system of a regular alternation between work and rest, at the following pace : one (1) break every three (3) months fully worked. It means that SI offers you seven (7) working days ever three months worked, with a “break allowance” of USD 850 for each break. These breaks are mandatory.
In addition to these, SI offers one (1) monthly rest day (MRD) off / per worked month.
Social and medical cover Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses 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
The candidate will be based in NES and share his/her time between the main guesthouse and the field guesthouses to allow closer proximity to the sites of project implementation. In the main base, living conditions are comfortable with some opportunities and places to socialize. In the operational bases, living conditions are more basic with less opportunities and places to socialize.
Security
Security inside NES is very volatile and justifies specific arrangements for accommodation and movement in the areas of intervention. Adherence to strict security procedures is necessary and mandatory, while the security levels can vary according to the different geographical locations and the changes of context.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English.
NB: The vacancy may close before the deadline.
For additional information about SI, please visit our website.