SYR-CMU – CHIEF OF PARTY LEARN CONSORTIUM (H/F) – AMMAN at Solidarités International

Desired start date: 01/09/22 Duration of the mission: 12 months Location: Amman, with travel to North East Syria

ABOUT THE MISSION…

The LEARN consortium is a partnership between four (4) International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and two (2) national partners. Established in 2018, it leverages the respective expertise from the I/NGO partners to deliver Health, Shelter, cash assistance (MPCA), Protection, Humanitarian Coordination, Livelihoods and WASH services to the most vulnerable communities in North East Syria (NES). The main activities being implemented are related to the rehabilitation and running of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), emergency WASH (water distribution and rehabilitation of water infrastructure), private and public institutional shelter repairs, distribution of essential kits (new arrivals, hygiene, shelter repairs, winterization), vocational training and business start-up and restoration activities, and MPCA to cover basic needs. The program incorporates a Rapid Response Mechanism.

The LEARN partners are based in, and implement throughout, NES. The consortium Management Unit (CMU) is the oversight structure for the program that aims to facilitate smooth coordination, oversee program delivery, lead donor communications, ensure compliance and manage risk. The CMU is led by the Chief of Party (Jordan) and Deputy Chief of Party (NES), together with a team of Specialists.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Chief of Party (CoP) will be responsible for providing overall vision, leadership and guidance to the LEARN consortium.

Serving as the key liaison with donors, consortium partners, and other stakeholders, the CoP will maintain an integrated vision among different actors while ensuring adherence to all project objectives, performance requirements, and donor regulations.

In line with the spirit of the consortium, the CoP facilitates collaborative partnerships between donor, consortium members and other relevant stakeholders

The main challenges:

Large scale, multi-sector, multi-year project implemented across different contexts inside NES
Security conditions are volatile in areas of intervention with potential significant changes during the project implementation

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Enable the project to adapt to possible significant changes in the geopolitical/conflict environment
Guide and support strategic discussions on continuation of the LEARN
Regular review of CMU strategic direction from October onwards
Delivery of ongoing institutional knowledge building / learning activities in support of the LEARN and wider humanitarian community

Responsibilities and main activities:

Consortium Leadership and Strategic Vision

In coordination with the Steering Committee, oversee the LEARN’s strategic vision and program-wide strategy to guide coordination and integrated programming
Develop and deliver institutional knowledge building / learning activities in support of the LEARN as a whole
Guide and support discussions on strategic continuation of the LEARN
Uphold internal governance and the LEARN’s collaborative partnership
Provide leadership to continue the strong coordination, collaboration, communication and integration of consortium programming and operations
Facilitate strong internal communication within the CMU team and provide management of the CMU team (direct management of 6 people)
Promote robust and transparent communication between and towards the consortium partners; foster communication flow within the consortium
Coordinate closely with the Steering Committee members and other senior members of the LEARN partners to make decisions for the project on strategy, governance and risk

Representation and Coordination

Lead donor representation as the focal point for the LEARN
Take responsibility for LEARN communications; ensure timely financial and narrative reporting and that deadlines are met
In coordination with the Steering Committee, engage in strong external representation of the Consortium with other external stakeholders
Contribute to the wider humanitarian community more broadly with lessons from the consortium
Act as secretariat for the LEARN Steering Committee
Remain accountable to the Steering Committee and the Prime (grant holder)

Project Delivery

Support compliance and manage risk of the overall consortium to support delivery of programming as representative of the Prime
Maintain oversight of support services and programming, overseeing the overall programmatic, logistical and financial performance of the consortium
Provide oversight to ensure the consortium is able to meet donor and internal obligations and regulations
Manage the contractual agreements with LEARN partners and SI
Coordinate delivery of the project’s objectives and accountability to consortium partners and the donor
Safeguard the purpose of the program strategy and ensure the coherence of the project, making certain that the consortium moves in one direction
Facilitate sharing and learning within the consortium to incorporate learning from the project
Responsible for robust monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning remaining in place
Maintain systems to ensure efficient and transparent capture of data for management decision-making and reporting, and for technical coherence and integration amongst sectors and partners
Anticipate overall strategic problems on the award, and ensure major risks and obstacles are identified and remedial actions taken with agreement of consortium partners
Enable the project to adapt to possible significant changes in the geopolitical/conflict environment and retain its agility to pivot towards large-scale emergency programming when needed

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in leading programs focused on WASH, Shelter, Livelihoods, MPCA, Protection and/or Health. Previous Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or senior management experience required.
Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of large international donor-supported programs, with skills in strategic planning and thinking, management, supervision and budgeting, and experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions.
Demonstrated skills building and maintaining relationships with authorities, donors, stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced and detail-oriented environment.
Proven experience in developing a project vision, aligning key stakeholders with that vision and ensuring that vision is translated into achievable strategies.
Experience recruiting, developing, and leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, managing complex programs and ensuring project staff meet the highest standards for quality, relevance and on-time delivery.
Experience managing required programmatic and financial reporting requirements. Experience with M&E is a plus.
Demonstrated skills in adapting project team and scope to the rapid evolution of the context.
Demonstrated commitment to gender equity.
Proven experience managing risk and compliance in a partnership set-up; prior experience with BHA regulations is a plus.

Soft skills:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively liaise with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment and across various time zones.
Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills.
Strong initiatives and improvisation capacities.
Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members
Good stress management.
Prior experience in Middle East an asset
Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Language:

Fluent English (written, spoken and read) is mandatory
To speak Levantine Arabic would be an asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: We offer a competitive CoP salary in the context of the sector.

This role also offers competitive international terms and conditions in line with SI policies e.g. SI covers accommodation costs 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 after each three-month period. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have three such R&R breaks (with 850 USD allocated by Solidarités for each break).

To these break periods, 1 additional rest day per month worked is granted i.e. 12 days in a 1-year contract**.**

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.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

Living conditions in Amman are very comfortable and there is access to a wide range of restaurants / shops / tourist activities. The country is also safe and accessible for weekend travel and activities.

Security inside NES is volatile and justifies specific arrangements for accommodation and movement in the areas of intervention. Adherence to strict security procedures is necessary, while the security levels can vary according to the different geographical locations and the changes of context.