Field Coordinator - Ajuong Thok

MISSION

Solidarités International is an international humanitarian organization which provides aid and assistance to victims of war or natural disaster. For over 30 years the association has focused on meeting three vital needs - water, food and shelter - by carrying out emergency programmes followed by longer-term reconstruction projects. Whilst fully respecting the assisted populations’ customs and culture, Solidarités International’s programmes are implemented through the joint expertise of around 180 expatriates and 1500 local managerial staff and employees. Solidarités International is currently present in Africa (Central African Republic, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast), in Asia (Afghanistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan), in the Middle East (Syria and Lebanon) and in Haiti.

The conflict between Northern and Southern Sudan is known as the longest war in Africa, brought on by a long history of colonial policies of British and Egyptian influence, marginalization by powerful northern regimes and cultural and traditional clashes.

Six and half years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in Nairobi in January 2005, South Sudan became the youngest country in the World on July 9th 2011. A new highlight for a country familiar with extreme figures : among others, a challenging environment with only 60 km of asphalt road in a country bigger than France, a complex social environment with more than 60 ethnic groups and dialects and a high level of illiteracy. On a humanitarian point of view, the country can be characterized by the acute needs of its population in having access to basic services, due to the lack of infrastructure, and lack of qualified persons to run these structures (hospital, schools, etc.). These needs have been compounded by massive influxes of returnees from North to South Sudan, numbering an estimated 417 877 returnees in 2010, 328 804 in 2011, 160 303 in 2013 (souce: IOM Weekly statistical report). This is the reason why South Sudan is considered as one of the most challenging humanitarian country in the world.

Solidarités International (SI) currently implements 2 kinds of programs:

• Rural and semi-urban WaSH activities in three states in the North East part of the country: Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity, targeting counties prone to receiving IDPs and/or returnees and prone to natural disaster (namely flooding). SI is also deeply involved in the coordination of the WaSH actors in Unity and Upper Nile States by being the State Focal Point for the WaSH cluster. Upper Nile and North Jonglei programs are operated out of Malakal, the Upper Nile State capital, while Unity State programs are administrated from an office in Bentiu, the Unity State capital.
• Emergency WaSH interventions in the camps welcoming Sudanese refugees in Upper Nile and Unity States (Yusuf Batil, Yida & Ajuong Thok). These projects started respectively in June,July 2012 and January 2013, following the rapid assessments made by the WaSH Emergency, Preparedness and Response (EP&R) team that is in place since September 2011.

Objectives of the Position

The main objectives of the Field Coordinator will be:

• To support the PMs in the implementation of the activities
• camp
• To be responsible for the security of teams and property in his/her assigned zone, under the HoM's supervision. To update the security tools.
• Within his/her intervention zone, to monitor and analyse the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and economic context.
• To propose and develop an operational strategy in line with the association's policies and the population's needs.
• Ensure the coordination, development, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes implemented within his/her intervention zone.
• To be the financial backer relations / search for funding, in coordination with the HoM,
• To ensure, that financial resources and other means necessary for accomplishing projects in his/her intervention zone are mobilized and to guarantee the appropriate use of resources in his/her intervention zone
• To build and maintain a team dynamics which enables the objectives of SI to be carried out in his/her intervention zone
• To ensure the internal communication among the PMs and between the base and the coordination.
• To ensure external communication with the other partners involved in the camp: DRC, IRC, AHA, SP, LWF, AAH, WFP, UNOPS, ACTED.
• To be the official representative of SI in his/her intervention zone for aid workers, administrative, political and local authorities, civil society and the media
• To work on the next proposal that will come following the current UNHCR project.

MAIN TASKS

Strategic orientation

• Within his/her intervention zone, monitor and analyse the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and economic context.
• Within his/her intervention zone, propose and develop an operational strategy in line with the association's policies and the population's needs.
• Within his/her intervention zone, propose new operational directions according to how the context develops

Relevance and operational quality / operation monitoring

• Ensure the coordination, development, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes implemented within his/her intervention zone.
• Ensure that the programmes in his/her intervention are relevant and consistent.
• Ensure that the programmes in his/her intervention zone are implemented in accordance with the annual operational strategy, Solidarités International's technical requirements and financial donor' criteria.
• Support the PMs in the global follow up of their project

Security

• Responsible for the security of teams and property in his/her assigned zone, under the HoM's supervision
• Monitor and analyse the security situation and ensure it is understood by teams
• Ensure that all new arrivals in his/her intervention zone are given a geopolitical and security briefing
• Under the supervision of the Head of Mission, ensure that all documents and procedures relating to security are updated regularly
• Ensure that all security rules and procedures are implemented and respected in his/her intervention zone
• Ensure that a permanent security monitoring system is set up
• Ensure the immediate management of any security incidents occurring in his/her intervention zone and immediately notify the HoM

Resource management

• Propose the human, financial and logistical scale for his/her intervention zone and its organisation
• Ensure that financial resources and other means necessary for accomplishing projects in his/her intervention zone are mobilized.
• Guarantee the appropriate use of resources in his/her intervention zone

Human resource management

• Build and maintain a team dynamic and cohesion which enables the objectives of Solidarités International to be carried out in his/her intervention zone
• Promote the ethics and values of Solidarités International
• Monitor the implementation of Solidarités International's human resources policy and procedures (recruitment, EAP, etc.)
• Monitor the personal and professional stability of Solidarités International employees and ensure that an adequate living and working environment is maintained
• Manage associates placed under his/her direct supervision
• Organize and lead the coordination meeting in his/her zone of intervention

Financial backer relations / search for funding

• Monitor and analyse financial donor strategies in his/her intervention zone
• Participate, at the request of the HoM, in the search for funding and ensure the financial stability of the organisation and the programmes implemented in his/her intervention zone
• Strengthen relations between Solidarités International and donor representatives in his/her intervention zone
• Coordinate and participate to the donor visits.

Representation

• Be the official representative of SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL in his/her intervention zone for aid workers, administrative, political and local authorities, civil society and the media
• Be an active participant in humanitarian forums and relevant coordination meetings
• Ensure an established strong communication network and partnership with all agencies in Ajuong

Internal and external communication

• Ensure that documents produced in his/her intervention zone meet deadlines and quality standards
• Ensure that all internal reporting respects the standard formats and procedures
• Organise regular coordination meetings
• Ensure that key operational information circulates properly, in his/her intervention zone and between the bases and the country coordination

PROFILE

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Experience:

• Previous experience in team management (including expatriates) and strategic orientation;
• Experience in security management in unstable environments;
• Experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, preferably with experience in supporting emergency response;
• Strong program management and supervisory experience;
• Previous experience in Southern Sudan is major advantage;
• Knowledge and understanding of the cluster system
• Previous experience with SI preferable.

Skills and knowledge:

• Capacity to provide leadership and be a unifying force;
• Diplomacy and coordination skills to highlight the value of coordinated activities;
• Project development and reporting skills;
  • Ability to delegate;
• Interest in and ability to quickly understand complicated political contexts;
• Knowledge of Solidarités rules, tools and procedures;
• Strong management and training/capacity-building skills;
• Display initiative with solid organizational and communication skills;
• Stress management skills: Ability to work under pressure, with peaks of heavy work loads;
• Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation;
• Basic technical knowledge and familiarity with general WASH-related issues; Ability to compensate for lack of such skills in a technical environment;
• Commitment to the fundamental principles of Solidarités International charter and ethos
• Ability to live in remote areas and insecure environments within related restrictions.

Language:

• Fluent English : speaking, reading and writing skills
• Arabic is an asset

Computer skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• GIS skills an asset

STATUS

Salaried post: According to experience from 1700 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 600 USD. Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate’s home country to the site of the assignment.

• 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.
• Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7-day break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 14-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).

DURATION

6 months beginning 09/08/2013

CONTACT

Marie Beatrix Carrale

How to apply:

CV and Cover Letter

https://emea3.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?I...