Education / academic background:
University level degree, preferably a Master’s degree in International Affairs, Humanitarian or Development studies.
Specific skills and experience:
- experience in the humanitarian sector: + 5 years
- experience on similar positions: 0 – 2 years
- technical skills: Area and humanitarian coordination, access and security management, technical assistance to cross-functional teams including Logistics, HR and Finance, and WASH programming.
- cross-cutting skills: Ability to take initiatives and lead the evolution of SI programming in Rakhine, external coordination (formal and informal), and accountability to affected population.
Language:
- English (fluent)
- Burmese (desirable)
- French (an asset, portfolio is partly French donors funded)
Desired start date: 20/11/2025
Duration of the mission: 7 months
Location: Sittwe
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 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 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.
General objective:
- The Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director for a region of a country in which Solidarités International intervenes
- 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 responsible for the coordination with local actors including UN, Authorities and INGOs
The main challenges:
- Entry in the country is limited for expatriates
- Access: Travel Authorization (TA) is needed every month in order to access the camps
- Expatriates cannot apply for TA since April 2022
- The TA is not granted every month, thus remote working and supervision apply
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
- Completion of ongoing phase of WASH programming in Sittwe camps
- Continued adjustment of Rakhine/Sittwe-based set-up to evolving context and WASH programming in protracted camps
- Roll-out and revision (if needed) of the Rakhine/Sittwe contingency plan
- Participate with the CD and Grants co to the identification of new funding for the base beyond March 2026
- Capacity building of key senior programme staff to ensure compliance and respect of donor and internal procedures
Sizing of the team on the base / in coordination:
- 223 staff in total in the mission, including 16 expatriates
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 2800 gross per month (3080 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 500.
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.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
- Based in Sittwe or Yangon in case of access constraints – in both locations: guest house conditions
- Good living conditions in Yangon, with many restaurants and social life options
- No regular electricity nor permanent internet in Sittwe
- Electricity and internet at the office most of the day thanks to a generator and a VSAT
- Electricity and internet at the guesthouse thanks to a generator and inverter
- Limited restaurant and social life options in Sittwe
- Curfew from 8:30 pm until 4:00 am