Desired start date: ASAP
Duration of the mission: 6 months ( to be extended)
Location: Islamabad and Sukkur
ABOUT US …
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 some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2500 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
Following the 2022 monsoon season with significantly higher than average rainfall, a state of emergency was declared and 33 million people were reported as being affected across the country by the GoP, with 20,6 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance and only 7.34 million people having received it as of February 2023 (OCHA). While water has receded in many locations, 1.8 million people still live by remaining stagnant flood water putting people at further risk of water-related diseases. The floods have resulted in significant destruction of individual and public infrastructure, crop areas and livestock and the World Bank estimates that 8,4 and 9,1 million people will be pushed into poverty. Inflation rate have been extremely high since August 2022, reaching 42.9% on food only in January 23 and 40% on sensitive items in February 2023 year-to-year. Finally, the main health concerns reported were malnutrition (SAM and MAM), diarrheal diseases, malaria, skin diseases a nd respiratory tract infection (during and after the floods).
Sindh province which is by far the most affected province across sectors – 23 districts out of 30 were declared calamity hits with 12 million people affected. Almost all urban and rural areas were flooded with sewage-mixed rainwater, while floods have washed away the standing crops. With regards to WASH, 21% of the population in the Sindh province have no access to an improved source of water and 32% are deprived of adequate sanitation. Assessments from humanitarian partners focusing on rural areas report higher figures with 65% of the population relying on unprotected or open water sources and 80% of the population declaring practicing open defecation.
The Pakistan Mission has been re-opened recently and the first teams of SI deployed in Pakistan on November 2022. SI has launched its first intervention in Jacobabad District of Sindh province early 2023 and is currently positioning itself in the area with the following axes of intervention:
Emergency WASH response to outbreaks, population displacement and floods;
Recovery full WASH package ensuring a build-back better approach targeting both villages and communal infrastructures (Schools, Mosques, Health centres…);
Support to Households with SAM/MAM cases with a full WASH and Food package to avoid relapse;
Support to re-launching of income generating activities including support to agriculture/livestock.
The budget is so far, of approximately 1.3MUSD and will have to be developed further. The set up of the mission is the following :
One coordination office in Islamabad (yet to be opened) with 1 CD, 1 WASH COO, 1 CD Assistant and 1 Support Coordinator. In the opening phase, the Coordination team is expected to spend a lot of time on the field in Sindh to ensure a quality response and to develop the mission exploring other relevant areas ;
One operational base in Sukkur focusing on flood response (emergency and recovery) with 1 Field Coordinator and full operational teams
ABOUT THE JOB
General objectives
Contribute to the opening of the coordination office in Islamabad
Develop the existing network of contacts (Donors, NGOs, authorities etc.), represent SI in humanitarian meetings in order to ensure the positioning of the organization, in the area of operation, but also at the country level.
Contribute to ensure a quality humanitarian response on existing projects to ensure the positioning of SI as an emergency WASH actor
Conduct in-country assessments with the coordination team and ERT to open up new areas of intervention
Ensures coordination between departments, as well as compliance with IS and donor processes
Ensure the security of SI teams in the country, by conducting contextual monitoring, and ensuring compliance with security measures in place, and even developing them when necessary.
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
With the support of the CD assistant, finalize the identification and contractualization of a Guest House and co-working space, Finalize appointments if necessary
Conduct field visits to Sukkur and Jacobabad to support the teams and get a deep knowledge and understanding of the activities implemented by SI
Ensures continuity of the relationship with donors, and develops contacts, performs donor mapping
Develop a country strategy by mapping needs and funding opportunities, organize assessments in relevant areas.
YOUR PROFILE
Education: Master level, generalist background, political science, or equivalent
Experience: 2 years on the same position
Technical skills and knowledge: Training and capacity building skills
Coordination, and diplomatic skills
MS office.
Good analytical skills, ability to adapt
Good communication and diplomatic skill
Good organization skills.
Other desirable qualities:
leadership and management
Capacity to work in autonomy
planning and prioritization flexibility
capacity to work under stress
solution making oriented
Team player
Difficulties / constraints linked to the security context
The security environment in Pakistan is rather stable, marked by strong risks linked to criminality (variable according to the provinces / areas), but the country knows spikes of violence (violent protest, terrorist attacks, targeted killings) generally linked to political events. Some areas of the country are affected by internal conflicts. These elements can lead to restrictions of movements for more or less long periods and some areas of the country are more difficult to access.
Key information about the living conditions
The living conditions are rather good and comfortable in Islamabad, with the possibility to build a network allowing a social life. Basic services are available, and it is possible to access recreational and cultural activities. Respecting social rules will require some adaptation, especially in terms of dress and behavior. In Islamabad, a GH (apartment) in a safe neighborhood need to be identified, and a Co-working space has been identified. For the time being, expatriates stay at the hotel.
Field conditions are sometimes harsher but still acceptable, with access to basic services and the presence of other INGOs in the area. In Sukkur, SI has rented a floor of a hotel used as DH and office. This allows to benefit from all services provided by the hotel. Possibilities to have a separate GH are being explored.
SI WILL OFFER YOU
A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from 3 000 euros gross per month (+ 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL also covers accommodation costs in the Guest House and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
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 (with 700 euros allocated by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL). To these break periods, one additional rest day per month worked are granted.
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 and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.
NB: The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension
For further information about Solidarités International, please consult our website: http://www.solidarites.org/en/
A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from 3 000 euros gross per month (+ 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL also covers accommodation costs in the Guest House and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
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 (with 700 euros allocated by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL). To these break periods, one additional rest day per month worked are granted.
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 and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.