COLOMBIA – COUNTRY DIRECTOR (H/F) At Solidarités International

Desired start date: 15/08/2021**
Duration of the mission:** 12 months (signature for 6 months initially)
Location: Bogota, Colombia

ABOUT THE MISSION…

In Venezuela, people are faced with hyperinflation, struggle to find necessities, lack of medicines and access to medical services in addition to a rise in crime rates. Many Colombians, formerly settled in Venezuela have decided to go back home while many Venezuelans chose to migrate to major cities in Colombia or to transit through them during their journey to other countries in the region. They walk along the roads, often with no means or possessions. One of the main routes for those travelling to Bogotá or Medellín goes through Bucaramanga. This road is used every day by walkers called the Caminantes.

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is at the moment running or providing support to four shelters located at strategic points on the migration route in Santander and North Santander. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, in consortium with PREMIÈRE URGENCE INTERNATIONALE, is ensuring access to basic services for persons on the move using these shelters, with a particular focus on access to water, sanitation and hygiene (rehabilitations/construction for water supply, sanitation facilities, provision of hygiene items, etc.). We are also improving shelter infrastructure and delivering food assistance as well as healthcare and psychological support services through PREMIÈRE URGENCE INTERNATIONALE.

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is seeking to further develop this response in the coming months, through various fundings, and support new shelters, providing additional services, and proposing a daily transportation and shelter services for the most vulnerable and PWSN (People with Special Needs) Caminantes.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Country Director is SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL’s official representative in a country. S/He is in charge of the smooth running of the mission. S/He proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation. S/He monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures. S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources. S/He coordinates the teams in place and ensures their security on the mission. S/He is the direct liaison for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL HQ.

Main tasks:

1. Coordination and strategic orientation
2. Relevance and operational quality / operations monitoring
3. Resource management
4. Human Resource Management
5. Security
6. Relationships with financial donors / fund-raising
7. Internal and external communication
8. Representation

Main challenges: Our mission in Colombia opened in 2019 and activities were launched in 2020. In 2021, the mission grew significantly and there is a need for structuring and accompanying this expansion as well as to define a wider SI strategy in the country. Programming is moreover complex due to the moving nature of the refugees population.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Fundraising and development of the mission
• Stabilization of the activities and mission
• Safety and security of personnel

YOUR PROFILE

Education:
University level degree, preferably a Master degree in Political Science, International Relations, Humanitarian Aid

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of humanitarian experience preferred with a minimum of 2 years in a similar role. We are looking for someone with a strong background in programs rather than in support positions
• Experienced in the representation of a humanitarian INGO and its humanitarian principles
• Experienced with country-wide humanitarian short, mid-term and long-term operations management including finance, HR, communications, logistics, proposal development, security and procurement
• Experienced with humanitarian context analysis and variety of challenging humanitarian operations (including advocacy, external communication…)
• Experienced in political and security analysis at both local and global levels
• Experience in dealing with bilateral and multilateral institutional donors
• Comfortable and experienced in working with key humanitarian actors
• Experienced in HR and organizational management of missions

Soft skills:

• Ability to take decisions and work in autonomy
• Diplomacy and smooth leadership skills
• Understanding and commitment to SI’s mission and values
• Able to work under pressure and highly motivated to meet populations’ humanitarian needs.

Language: Both English and Spanish are mandatory

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from EUR 3000 gross per month (+ 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly i.e. EUR 3300 gross per month) + a monthly Per Diem.

A housing pack is available for this position (70 % of the rent covered by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL in determined areas and with a maximum set according to local benchmark). A family pack may also be available.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months. The break allowance amounts to 850 USD. To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of one additional rest day per month worked**.**

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 are refunded.

Covid19

Solidarités International recommends vaccination against Covid-19, using WHO approved vaccines. If possible, the vaccination should be done before departure in order to reduce the logistical constraints once on the ground.