Solidarités International is a humanitarian association that works with vulnerable populations, mainly victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Specialized for over 40 years in covering vital needs, it supports emergency and then reconstruction programs.
The mission
Solidarités International opened in late 2018 to respond to the urgent needs of people displaced by the security crisis initially affecting the Sahel and Centre-North regions of Burkina Faso. In 2024, Solidarités International’s humanitarian footprint expanded with operations in the Centre-North, the North, the Sahel and the Boucle du Mouhoun.
- In 2024, the country office is made up of a coordination in Ouagadougou, 2 field bases, a Grand Nord base in Ouahigouya – Northern region which covers a sub-base in Kongoussi in the Centre-North, and interventions also in the Boucle du Mouhoun; as well as a Sahel base in Dori which covers the sub-bases of Djibo and Sebba.
- SI has diversified its portfolio of interventions to address both the vital WASH, shelter and food needs of populations recently displaced by the conflict (RRM mechanism and other emergency interventions) and the impact of the conflict on access to WASH public services and livelihoods, also integrating institution building and social cohesion issues.
- Most projects are implemented in consortium with INGOs and on some projects with local partners
- SI is part of several consortia such as: RRM-Frontline (with ACF as lead), NEX’EAU (consortium with GRET & URD -SI as lead), Multisectoral Response Health Nut EHA SAME integrated into the Yagha (PUI lead of the consortium)
BASE TEAM SIZING / COORDINATION
In June 2024, the mission is composed of:
– 1 Coordination office in Ouagadougou: 14 expatriates (DP, DPA Program, Coordo Log, Coordo Fin, Coordo Sécu & access, Coordo SAME, Coordo SERA, Deputy Coordo PARIC, Coordo Grants, Grants Manager + cross-functional project 5 people) and 53 national employees.
– 2 bases and 4 field sub-bases composed of 8 to 10 expatriates and approximately 100 national staff.
The Grants and Partnership team is currently composed of 3 people: Grants and Partnerships Coordinator, Grant Manager, Local Partnerships Manager. The Reporting and Communication Officer will support the team.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION
- Under the supervision and with the support of the Grant Manager, the main role of the Reporting/Communication Officer (RCO) is to coordinate the production of high quality reports.
- He/she may be required to contribute to the drafting of project proposals and any other document intended for external distribution. To accomplish these tasks, the RCO works closely with members of the Grants department as well as with the program and mission support teams.
- The RCO will also help ensure compliance with lessor regulations, to strengthen accountability to them.
- The RCO will support the improvement of internal communication at the coordination level as well as internal communication with the field bases. In a very sensitive environment in terms of external communication, under the responsibility of the Head of Mission (CD), the RCO will participate in the development of a communication strategy intended for an external audience and in order to meet donor requirements.
SPECIFIC ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
1/ Lack of secure access to areas most affected by the crisis may limit the RCO’s ability to obtain accurate and timely data, which is essential for producing quality reports and designing effective communication strategies.
2/ International donors impose strict regulations on reporting and communication. The RCO must ensure that all communications and reports comply with these requirements, which may require careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of different funding frameworks.
3/ Strengthening accountability and transparency to donors is essential to maintaining and securing funding. The RCO must ensure that the information reported is accurate and accurately reflects the reality of operations on the ground.
4/ In a context where the international perception of Burkina Faso is fragile, inadequate external communication could harm the mission. The RCO must carefully navigate the design of a communication strategy that strengthens the credibility of the organization while protecting actors on the ground.
5/Coordination of interim and final reports ECHO, CDCS, BHA, AFD, DUE for submission between October and November
6/Development of the communication plan (social media posts, deployment of a photo-reporter in the intervention areas)
7/Support for the development of project proposals (SRF, ECHO, etc.)
YOUR PROFILE
REQUIRED DIPLOMA
- University education: Bac + 4/5 in political science, political science, project management or other relevant discipline.
EXPERIENCE IN THE HUMANITARIAN SECTOR
- 2 years
EXPERIENCE IN EQUIVALENT POSITION
- 2 years
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Good knowledge of the functioning, rules and procedures of donors ((ECHO, BHA, USAID, FH, DDC, GFFO, AFD, CIAA, CDCS, etc…).
- Experience in reporting/project proposals
- Experience in the production of communication materials (social media posts, newsletters, photos, videos, and other innovative productions).
- Strong team management, hierarchical and capacity building skills
- Writing skills, analysis and synthesis
- Initiative, rigor and autonomy skills
TRANSVERSE SKILLS
- Adaptability
- Management
- Coordination
LANGUAGES
- French/English
IF YOU WILL OFFER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
A salaried position: Depending on experience, from EUR 1925 gross per month (1750 basic salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of EUR 550.
SI also covers accommodation costs as well as travel costs between the expatriate’s home country and the mission location.
Social security:
The expatriate benefits from quality social security coverage to cover all health costs and accident insurance including war risks.
Break: During the mission, an alternation of work and rest is ensured by breaks planned every three months with an allowance of 850 USD.
Based on a one-year mission: breaks of 7 working days at 3, 6 and 9 months of mission (with a contribution of 850 USD paid by Solidarités).
To these break times, it is necessary to add the granting of an additional day of rest per month worked, i.e. 12 days more for a one-year contract.
LIVING CONDITIONS
- The city of Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the largest city in the country. Ouagadougou still benefits from leisure opportunities (restaurants, sports and cultural activities) despite increased security vigilance.
- Security rules exist on the mission, with certain places being prohibited. The political and social situation being very tense since the 2 coups d’état of 2022, additional restrictions or occasional periods of confinement may be considered.
- The Reporting & Communication Officer position is not open to family status or housing status.
SECURITY CONSTRAINTS
- Continuously deteriorating security context with strong security and access management issues requiring significant availability and responsiveness. Field travel limited by security constraints.
How to apply?
Do you recognize yourself in this description?
If yes, send us your CV and cover letter.
Applications containing only CVs will not be considered.
SI reserves the right to close a recruitment before the deadline of the announcement. Thank you for your understanding.
And to find out more about Solidarités International: www.solidarites.org