Solidarités International
Posted on: December 2023
Desired start date: January 2024
Duration of the mission: 20 months
For over 40 years, the humanitarian aid organization Solidarités International has been committed to providing aid in the event of conflict and natural disasters. Our mission is to provide aid as quickly and as efficiently as possible to endangered populations by meeting their vital needs: drinking water, food and shelter. After providing emergency aid, our humanitarian teams accompany the most vulnerable families and communities until they recover their livelihoods and self-sufficiency, to enable them to deal with the challenges of an uncertain future with dignity.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Accountability & Quality Assurance Initiative (AQA) was conceived in October 2017 to address the challenges faced in ensuring that humanitarian WASH responses meet the minimum standards and expectations of quality for people affected by crisis.
The initial phase of the project started in 2018 and was completed in 2019. It was implemented on behalf of the Global WASH Cluster as a collaboration between Oxfam, Solidarités International, Tufts University and UNICEF as the Cluster Lead Agency and funding agency. The objective was to provide UNICEF, NCPs (National WASH Coordination Platforms) and WASH partners with a Accountability and Quality Assurance (AQA) system that is based on communities’ inputs and feedback, and which encourages participation and accountability of WASH Partners.
The first phase of the project consisted in (i) a comprehensive desk review, (ii) developing an understanding of the current best practices in quality assurance, (iii) crossed comparing this to the systems in place at the response level and (iv) developing the core documents of the initiative.
The second phase of the project, that took place in 2020, focused on (i) participation, engagement and dissemination of the system developed among various stakeholders at global, regional and national level, (ii) support to countries (mainly remote) and (iii) improvement and further development of guidance, tools and training packages to support set up and early implementation.
The third phase of the project, funded by BHA, in partnership with Oxfam, started in January 2022 and is ongoing. It aimed at achieving the 3 following objectives:
- WASH NCPs in the pilot countries are trained and equipped with contextually adapted guidance and tools to support the implementation of effective AQA systems,
- WASH NCPs in the pilot countries implement effective and contextually adapted AQA systems integrated into Humanitarian Program Cycle (HPC) workflows
- Lessons learned, good practices and technical resources are accessible for WASH NCPs, partners, and key stakeholders, integrated into Strategic Operational Frameworks (SOFs) in the pilot countries and used across the WASH sector
Several countries were selected to pilot this phase: Burkina Faso, Mali, Venezuela, Mozambique, Sudan, Bangladesh (Cox’s Baazar), Myanmar, South Sudan, Northwest Syria and Yemen. Additional countries (Somalia, Cameroun, CAR, Ethiopia, Somalia) are currently under discussion. A training package was also developed with the support of RedR, both for face-2-face sessions and online self-paced one. This will help support the continuous roll out of the initiative.
By the end of this phae, WASH National Humanitarian Coordination Platforms (WASH NCPs) in 10 priority Global WASH Clusters countries have set-up an effective, routine, and collective mechanism to identify and meet standards for quality and accountability to affected populations, highlighting issues to be addressed using a continual improvement process over time.
The current BHA funding will strengthen the implementation in the pilot countries and extend it to other countries. It will enable to reinforce the monitoring and evaluation aspects, as well as the information management elements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the AQA project Manager, the AQA IM Support Team staff will be dedicated to the reinforcement of the AQA Initiative in the countries involved in it, providing field (approximately 50% of deployment) and remote technical support to the national WASH NCPs (national coordination platforms or WASH Cluster) and the technical working groups in charge of AQA initiative. As a member of the AQA support team, the AQA IM Support Team staff will refine and expand the tools and approaches already developed, support uptake in WASH NCPs, and ensure that lessons learned during this phase are shared with stakeholders across the humanitarian ecosystem and other sectors.
The AQA IM&ME Technical Advisor will work in close collaboration with SI MEAL and Quality approaches Unit.
The primary objective of the position will be to provide both in-country and remote technical support to the NCPs in the targeted countries.
As such, the AQA IM&ME Technical Advisor is expected to make support visits to selected countries to assist the NCPs (both the coordination teams and implementing partners).
The AQA IM&ME Technical Advisor will also provide and facilitate training to various stakeholders at different level (GWC members, partners, FST, etc), using the content developed during the current phase.
Finally, the AQA IM&ME Technical Advisor will produce and disseminate initiative results and learning points to ensure broader understanding and ownership of the system.
He/she will work closely with the AQA Team (Oxfam & SI) to complete the various tasks.
In order to facilitate communication and information/data exchange with NCPs, and to ensure optimal coordination with the GWC and other humanitarian coordinating bodies, the AQA IM&ME Technical Advisor may be required to travel to GWC headquarters in Geneva – Switzerland (in addition to field trips).
YOUR PROFILE
This position represents a unique opportunity to collaborate with the WASH humanitarian coordination bodies and stakeholders at the global (GWC) and local (NCPs) levels. This will provide an opportunity to expand its network and strengthen its knowledge of the functioning of humanitarian coordination bodies.
This position is open to staff of WASH humanitarian NGOs who, after several years of implementing WASH emergency programmes, wish to participate in a global and local reflection for a change of practice in favour of a qualitative improvement of the responses implemented in the field.
Education
Master’s degree in program management, social sciences, or related fields, or equivalent by demonstrated experience.
Specific skills and experience:
- 5 years professional experience required in Information Management, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning.
- At least 3 years of relevant NGO experience ideally in the MEAL sector.
- Previous experience in Information Management at Cluster/Sector Coordination level would be an asset.
- Expertise in data and information management (main skill), Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability (secondary skills), Learning (optional) and data management tools.
Knowledge and Skills
- Must have computer proficiency in general office software, Information management and statistical applications:
- Power BI.
- Any statistical analysis tool.
- Complementary knowledge in this field is welcome:
- Excellent organization & communication skills with the ability to develop a long term vision.
- Team player and proactive willing to commit to an innovative humanitarian project.
- Ability to handle stress.
- Service quality oriented.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders in dev sector (local and international).
- Open-minded and listening skills with ability to work under management.
- Commitment and sense of responsibility towards the tasks he/she is given, the quality of data and quality of deliverables asked by the project.
- Attention to detail and diligence.
Language: Fluently spoken and written English & French. Spanish will be an added value.
SI WILL OFFER YOU:
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from 3190€ gross per month (2900€ base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem.
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 three 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.
HOW TO APPLY
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