Head of Mission – Yemen At INTERSOS

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Head of Mission

Code: SR-35-2038

Duty station: Sana’a with frequent travel to Aden

Starting date: 01/03/2022

Contract duration: 12 months (4 months as probation contract)

Reporting to: Regional Director

Supervision of: Multiple coordinators

Dependents: Non-family Duty station

General context of the project

In 2021, Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and aid operation. Over 6 years of war and armed conflict killed and injured tens of thousands of civilians, causing immense suffering for the Yemeni people. In 2020, as the conflict intensified, 172,000npeople were newly displaced, reaching at total of at least 4 million IDPs. The economy and the currency continued to collapse as foreign reserves were depleted and the government was unable to subsidize food and other commodities for which Yemen is 90% import-reliant. The situation was exacerbated by the global COVID-19 turndown which led to a sharp drop in remittances, the largest source of foreign currency and a lifeline for many families where 80% of people live below the poverty line. As a result, millions more people cannot afford to meet their basic needs. A fuel crisis in the North, part of a dispute over the use of revenues, led to chronic fuel shortages and price hikes. Government capacity to regularly pay salaries and pensions to public employees has been hindered and public services have been degraded. Yemen is also vulnerable to natural hazards. Between April and August 2020, heavy rains and flooding devastated communities, causing deaths and injuries, again destroying infrastructure and livelihoods, and increasing diseases spread and displacement. The impact of the drivers of the crisis is most visible in the growing risk of famine and acute severe malnutrition, disease outbreaks, conflict casualties, forced displacement and reversal of past development gains. In addition, the conduct of the parties to the conflict has had a profound impact on the aid operation – particularly humanitarian access, aid delivery and independent data collection/assessments.

INTERSOS works in Yemen since 2008, originally focused on protection programming for Somali refugees. Gradually, INTERSOS evolved with a raising scope in terms of population target groups, geographical span and sectors. INTERSOS works today in Sana’a, Aden, Hadramout, Shabwa, Taiz, Ibb, Hajja, and Lahj; and newly in Abyan in 2021, with further outreach and coverage in other governorates through local partners and/or legal network lawyers. INTERSOS is implementing multi-sector and integrated programming, with its main sectors being protection, integrated health-nutrition, livelihoods, and WASH.

General purpose of the position

The Head of Mission represents the Organization and is responsible for the planning, management and implementation of the country program on the basis of defined strategies and indications.

Main responsibilities and tasks

The HoM manages and coordinates the operations and human resources in the country and is responsible to:

Communication and representation

o Establish and maintain collaborative relations with Local Authorities and Institutions, Donors, International Agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders

o Follow up, guarantee and monitor government recognition procedures for the organization in compliance with the host country formalities

o Tmonitor donor’s priorities and intervention strategies in the country as well as to map and approach new donors

Planning and implementation

o Define country priorities based on context and needs analyses; monitor donor intervention strategies in the country; design, promote and elaborate new interventions

o Assess, promote and submit new projects, following the procedures defined and promoting a spirit of participation among beneficiaries at all management stages, ensuring the transparency of the intervention

o Supervise, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the country operations – and all related administrative, financial, human resources, logistics and security aspects – ensuring timely and quality assistance delivery, as well as cost efficiency and accountability, in compliance with INTERSOS and donors guidelines, regulations and procedures

Information and Reporting

o Continuously assess, analyze and evaluate the impact of the country operations, also through periodic visits to the areas of intervention

Finance

o Define the mission financial plan, ensuring self-sufficiency and consistency of expenses, and assume responsibility for the mission funds management, including bank accounts

Human Resources

o Coordinate, guide and supervise the mission staff, and evaluate their performance

o To ensure the respect for the values, Code of Ethics and Organization Management and Control Model of INTERSOS within the mission

o Ensure personnel compliance with procedures foreseen by INTERSOS’ Organization Management and Control Model

o Proactively participate in relevant coordination meetings

Security

o Validation of all the mission security plans (Capital and projects)

o Interaction on the Country security issues with HQ (Security Referent) and relevant actors

o To hold final responsibility for any decision concerning security

Required profile and experience

Education

University Degree in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian and International Cooperation or related field.

Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of professional work experience as Head of Mission or other management/ coordination positions in humanitarian/development contexts. Previous experience in Yemen preferable.
• Proven experience in management of UN, BHA and ECHO funds.
• Proven experience in management of large staff teams and good leadership.

Professional Requirements

• Experience in humanitarian volatile contexts
• Experience in scaling-up a mission
• Proven experience in strategy development and implementation; ability to translate concretely strategic macro objectives into concrete actions and embark the team
• Experience with the development of a fundraising strategy
• Demonstrated experience in remote management (coordination mechanisms, communication and distance support)
• Demonstrated negotiation skills
• Familiarity with programs mainly oriented towards Protection (including child protection);
• Strong HR leadership and management skills
• Experience with communication and advocacy
• Knowledge of the context of the Yemen crisis, of a protracted crisis and of the MENA Region is an asset
• Knowledge and commitment towards Child Protection Policy / Protection from Sexual exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy
• Familiarity with and knowledge of MEAL system is considered an asset

Languages

• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of Arabic will be considered an asset

Personal Requirements

· Shows flexibility, availability and adaptability

· Manage conflicts in a constructive way

· Support and advise colleagues and contribute to their development

· Confidently able to deal with authorities and donors

· Proactive and collaborative approach to work

· Able to work independently as well as being a strong team player able to delegate tasks and supervise remotely

· Contributes to the development of tools and methods that might be useful in the field of work

· Ability to integrate and work well within multi-ethnic and multicultural team**