Desired start date: ASAP
Duration of the mission: 12 months
Location: Bangui (CAR)
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association that, for over 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their vital needs: drinking, eating, shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI implements through its interventions expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and the promotion of hygiene, but also in the essential field of food security and livelihoods. Present in over 20 countries, SI teams, 2,500 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at headquarters, a few volunteers, etc. – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultures.
The mission
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL teams in CAR are rehabilitating water and sanitation infrastructure, while training water management committees to ensure their sustainability. Awareness campaigns on hygiene and the use of water points are helping to cope with the high pressure exerted by the massive influx of populations. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is providing drinking water to families, but also to farmers, by repairing some defective boreholes and ensuring the transport and storage of this water to their land, contributing to improving food security.
Community service projects facilitate agricultural, pastoral and commercial activities, thereby increasing food availability and reviving the market. Our teams provide toolkits and seeds to farmers and livestock keepers, and provide training.
Thanks to a rapid emergency response mechanism and the creation of an emergency stock, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is ready to intervene from the first hours of a man-made or natural disaster in order to ensure access to drinking water and a healthy environment for populations made vulnerable by a shock, a natural disaster or an epidemic.
The projected budget for the SI RCA mission is approximately 9 million euros in 2023. Several fundings cover the year 2023 but the financial visibility for 2023 must be confirmed through several ongoing project proposals. The objective is to stabilize the mission around a volume of activity and funding equivalent to or slightly higher than 2022.
Activities are spread across 3 operational bases (Kaga Bandoro, Markounda and Bouar) covering the central/northern zone of the country as well as part of the West. The coordination office is located in the capital, Bangui. The opening of a sub-base in Kabo is underway. There are currently around 180 staff on the mission.
Job Description
General objective:
The Country Director is the official representative of Solidarités International.
He/she:
Is responsible for the proper functioning of the mission.
Proposes, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, the mission strategy and ensures its implementation once validated.
Controls and guarantees that the projects are carried out in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and in compliance with internal and contractual procedures.
Mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the proper conduct of the programs and supervises their management.
Coordinates the teams in place and is the guarantor of their safety on the mission.
Is the direct and privileged contact for the Solidarités International headquarters.
Main Challenges:
Significant humanitarian needs in the SI intervention areas, requiring a good balance between emergency projects and recovery projects. The Deputy Country Director (Programs) directly supports the Country Director in this approach.
Strategic definition of the mission for 2025 (and more broadly, the 2022-2025 strategy). The mission is currently well funded, but in a context of “competition” for reduced funding in the CAR, it will be necessary to maintain privileged links with our donors. This is in order to maintain a financial volume at least equivalent or even higher in order to continue the development of the mission (opening of new areas).
Expansion of the field and coordination teams, requiring significant inter-departmental coordination work and adaptation to the increase in volume.
Consolidation of current national and international partnerships.
Volatile context in the IS intervention zones, requiring close monitoring of the context, a focus on access strategies, the coordination of a crisis unit in the event of an incident, strong adaptability to security developments as well as the implementation of established security rules on the mission. It should be mentioned that the Country Director is supported by the security department, the field Coordinators as well as the Regional Directorate in the daily management of security.
Priorities for the first 2/3 months:
Preparation of the 2025 strategic exercise as well as the 2022-2025 vision (process starting in June 2024).
In conjunction with the Coordination team, maintain a strong link with current donors, while exploring additional opportunities for the development of the mission (opening of new areas).
Deployment of the new 2024 target organization chart, adapted to the development of the mission.
In conjunction with the Deputy Country Director (Programs), support current projects and the launch of new projects (from April 2024) by ensuring coordination support for operational teams.
Your profile
Training:
5 years or more experience in the humanitarian sector
Initial experience in an equivalent position
University degree of minimum BAC + 4 level in the humanitarian sector or any relevant field
Experience and technical skills:
Good knowledge of the project management cycle. Good knowledge of programmatic issues
Good senior team management skills
Good analytical skills
Good understanding of a complex humanitarian context
Good writing skills
Good synthesis skills
If you will offer the following conditions
A salaried position: Depending on experience, from EUR 3,730 gross per month (3,400 basic salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of FCFA 480,000
SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s home country and the duty station.
Breaks: During the mission, a system of alternating between work and leave is set up at a rate of 7 working days every three months (with USD 850 allocated by Solidarités International). In addition to these break periods, there is one additional day of rest per month worked.
Social and medical coverage: Expatriates benefit from insurance that reimburses all health costs (including medical and surgical costs, dental and ophthalmological care, repatriation) and a welfare system that includes war risks. The costs of essential vaccinations and anti-malarial treatment are reimbursed.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
Single and comfortable room in the guest house, with 24/7 electricity.
Internet and telephone network available
Restaurants and international food available
Living conditions in Bangui are very good with easy access to a wide range of restaurants, cafes…
Security risks are low and restrictions are very limited.
However, when you get to the bases, living conditions are more basic, with fewer opportunities for socialization, as well as restrictions on individual movement. Security levels vary depending on different geographic locations and changing contexts.
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
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Solidarités International (SI) is committed to preventing and combating any type of abuse – any act of sexual exploitation, abuse and/or harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or its collaborators, harm to persons and/or property, fraud, corruption, undeclared conflict of interest, financing of activities that violate human rights – that could be perpetrated in the context of its interventions. SI applies zero tolerance to any type of abuse, particularly acts of SEAH.
Solidarités International is a fair employer that fights all forms of discrimination. SI will never ask for any remuneration in order to participate in a recruitment process.
Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH.
Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to finding all forms of discrimination. SI will never ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.