More Information
- Experience 0-2
Desired start date: 01/15/2025
Duration of the mission: 2 months
Location: Bouar
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 26 countries, SI teams – 3,200 people in total made up of expatriates, national employees, 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.
General objective:
The procurement manager and procurement specialist supervises the process of purchasing/acquiring goods and/or services necessary for the accomplishment of the actions of the Project for Improving the Resilience of Drinking Water Services (PARSEP) in the crisis zone in the Central African Republic, according to the required procedures, those of Solidarités International on the one hand and the French Agency for Development on the other hand. He/she is the focal point on the mission and the link between the mission and headquarters for everything concerning PARSEP procurement/supply. He/she ensures the smooth running of the procurement process for PARSEP according to the schedule of program activities.
Main Challenges:
The PARSEP project is financed by Alliance Francaire de Développement, whose own procedures apply to most of the contracts to be awarded. Some contracts are of course under the SI procedure but also require special attention. It is therefore essential to have a good knowledge of AFD procedures in addition to those of SI.
Several markets have been launched in the past years but the process has never been completed. The volume of work will therefore be enormous upon the arrival of the candidate selected for this position. In addition, the revision of the current project will impact the deadlines and expectations on the supply.
Purchases at headquarters have been pending for several months, special monitoring will have to be part of the focus, otherwise the program will not be able to get out of it easily.”
Priorities for the first 2/3 months:
Monitoring of purchases in connection with the headquarters should be a priority
Finalization of pending tender documents and launching of contracts quickly (major delay at the programmatic level). Fuel management problem (supply chain and management between base and work sites: implement an effective monitoring mechanism)
Security constraints: The city of Bouar is classified at a security level 3. There is a state curfew and that of SI. In general, the situation is calm but can be volatile. Expatriates can move around and visit other GHs of NGOs and humanitarians in compliance with the security procedures of the base.
If you will offer the following conditions
A salaried position: Depending on experience, from EUR 2310 gross per month (2100 basic salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of CFA 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:
Since August 2022, SI has been occupying a base in Bouar in the Mairie district in the city center. The Guest House and offices are located in the same compound. Energy is available 24 hours a day thanks to a recently installed 5KVA back up system as well as a 13KVA generator. City water is available as well as a castle built on the base to improve access to water. SI’s curfew is at 10 p.m.
However, changes are to be expected depending on the evolution of the context which has been relatively calm for several months. A vehicle is available 24/7 as well as weekends for expatriate travel.
The base also has 24-hour Internet access (V-Sat) but with frequent disruptions.
In Bouar, the capital of Nana Mambéré, there are a few entertainment spots, bars and restaurants as well as the presence of several other expatriates.
Training:
Diploma in Admin, Finance and Logistics.
Minimum 3/4 years of experience in the humanitarian sector. Initial experience in an equivalent position would be an asset.
Experience and technical skills:
Technical skills
1. Have at least 2 years of experience in the management of procurement financed by AFD, within the framework of water management and rural hydraulics projects
2. Have a good knowledge of the procedures of the AFD donor
Cross-functional skills
1. Taste for teamwork
2. Experience of working in a difficult context and under stress
3. Knowledge of humanitarian principles and Do no Harm
LANGUAGES :
1. French is mandatory
2. English is an asset
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.