Position Title: Humanitarian Programme Manager
Type of contract: Consultancy contract (100%)
Duty Station: Caracas, Venezuela, with occasional travel within the country
Duration: As soon as possible, initially for six (6) months, with potential for extension
Reports to: Desk Officer, Solidar Suisse Headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Solidar Suisse is a Swiss non-governmental organisation founded in 1936 (formerly Swiss Labour Assistance), committed to promoting social justice, decent work, and equal opportunities worldwide. Today, Solidar Suisse implements humanitarian and development programmes in 16 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
In Venezuela, Solidar Suisse has initiated a humanitarian response following the earthquake on 24 June 2026. Through a strong partnership-based approach, Solidar Suisse seeks to support the most vulnerable populations affected by the disaster through emergency relief, recovery, and rehabilitation interventions. The organisation is committed to localisation and works closely with national and local actors to ensure sustainable, context-appropriate, and effective humanitarian assistance.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Humanitarian Programme Manager is responsible for developing and managing Solidar Suisse’s humanitarian programme in Venezuela. The role combines programme development, project management, technical oversight, partnership management and external representation.
The Humanitarian Programme Manager will identify and assess local partner organisations, develop project proposals and funding opportunities, and oversee partner-implemented projects throughout the project cycle. This includes providing technical support and quality oversight, particularly in the areas of WASH and/or Protection, and monitoring implementation progress, budgets, results, compliance and reporting requirements. S/he will furthermore represent Solidar Suisse with donors, UN agencies, clusters, national authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
Working closely with Headquarters in Zurich, the Humanitarian Programme Manager ensures that programmes are relevant, accountable, technically sound, compliant with donor requirements, and aligned with Solidar Suisse’s humanitarian strategy and localisation approach.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Development and Management
- Monitor humanitarian needs, response gaps and funding opportunities.
- Lead the development of project concepts, proposals, budgets and workplans in collaboration with partners and Headquarters.
- Manage projects throughout the project cycle, from design to closure.
- Monitor implementation progress, budgets, risks, deliverables and contractual obligations.
- Conduct regular field visits and follow up on implementation challenges and corrective actions.
- Contribute to donor reporting, project amendments and proposal revisions.
- Ensure that projects are implemented in line with donor requirements, humanitarian principles and Solidar Suisse policies.
Technical Oversight
- Provide technical guidance and support to partners during project design and implementation.
- Review project activities, methodologies and outputs to ensure quality and relevance.
- Support partners in applying recognised standards and good practices in WASH and/or Protection.
- Identify technical capacity gaps and support partner capacity strengthening where required.
- Monitor programme quality and recommend corrective measures where necessary.
Partnership Management and Localisation
- Identify, assess, establish, and manage partnerships with national and local organisations.
- Lead partner identification, due diligence processes, capacity assessments, and partnership performance reviews.
- Promote localisation through equitable partnerships and capacity strengthening initiatives.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job support to partner organisations as required.
- Ensure partner compliance with Solidar Suisse policies, donor requirements, and agreed partnership arrangements.
Representation, Coordination and Resource Mobilisation
- Represent Solidar Suisse in meetings with donors, UN agencies, clusters, authorities and other stakeholders.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with humanitarian actors and potential donors.
- Participate in relevant coordination mechanisms and technical working groups.
- Support donor engagement and resource mobilisation efforts.
- Promote Solidar Suisse as a reliable and credible humanitarian partner.
Financial Management, Compliance and Reporting
- Monitor project budgets and expenditures together with partners and Headquarters.
- Review partner narrative and financial reports.
- Ensure compliance with donor regulations, partnership agreements and organisational procedures.
- Identify and manage operational, financial and programmatic risks.
- Provide regular updates and reports to Headquarters.
Security and Safeguarding
- Monitor security and contextual developments affecting programme implementation.
- Ensure compliance with Solidar Suisse’s safeguarding, PSEA and Code of Conduct policies.
- Support partners in applying relevant safeguarding and duty-of-care standards.
Other Duties
- Undertake other duties reasonably required to support the successful implementation of Solidar Suisse’s humanitarian programme in Venezuela.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education
- Advanced university degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, water resources management, psychology, social work, humanitarian action, international development, social sciences, or another relevant field.
Professional Experience
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian and/or development programming.
- Demonstrated experience in partnership management and localisation approaches.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects implemented through local partners.
- Experience in donor engagement, fundraising and external representation.
- Experience participating in humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
- Demonstrated technical experience in WASH and/or Protection programming.
- Experience providing technical support, quality assurance and capacity strengthening to partners.
- Previous experience in emergency response and start-up programmes is a strong asset.
- Experience in Venezuela or Latin America is highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
- Excellent networking, negotiation, and representation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in complex and evolving environments.
- Strong programme management and organisational skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong commitment to humanitarian principles and localisation.
Languages
- Professional fluency in Spanish and English, both written and spoken.
How to apply
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Solidar Suisse is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnic or social background, religion, or nationality.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit their CVs along with a motivation letter to lukas.frohofer@solidar.ch.
Due to the urgency of the position, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applications submitted in languages other than English, or from candidates who do not meet the
above-mentioned requirements, will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Solidar Suisse reserves the right to close the recruitment process before the application deadline
should a suitable candidate be identified.