Desired start date: 20 June 2023
Duration of the mission: 12 months, with possible extension
Location: Raqqa
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
There are 3 implementing offices in Syria (2 in North East Syria/NES, 1 in North West Syria/NWS) with the coordination based in Amman. The total financial volume of the mission for 2022 is approximately 27 millions/ The mission has now reached approximately 40 expatriates and 290 national employees (8 expatriates and almost 100 national employees in Ar-Raqqa base). The position will be based in Raqqa.
Type and content of program: Syria mission is dedicated to work in areas recently opened (in 2017 in Raqqa) and in challenging contexts to provide lifesaving activities to the population affected by the conflict. A turn from lifesaving activities to more post-emergency/development has also been undertaken.
In Ar-Raqqa Governorate, main current activities are related to:
Lifesaving
Wash – emergency package in IDPs settlements
Distribution of NFIs and MPCA
Early recovery and more sustainable activities:
individuals’ houses rehabilitations
Institutional rehabilitations and support: Water stations rehabilitations, capacity building of the Water Department, rehabilitation of schools, rehabilitation of irrigations systems and infrastructures
Support to agriculture (vegetable gardening, wheat production)
Market strengthening (restoring and supporting businesses through grants)
Additionally, SI has a contingency and capacity to respond to emergencies in all NES.
In Raqqa, SI started to implement cash, livelihoods and agriculture activities in 2021, mainly through two projects that provide agricultural support (at household level through vegetable gardening, and at farmer level through support to wheat production), business grants to entrepreneurs and multi-round MPCA through referrals. A food security and livelihoods strategy has been developed for NES, and in 2022 SI took another step in this strategy by launching a value chain assessment in NES, and pre-identifying new donors. SI is also strengthening its coordination with nutrition actors to have better integration with its food security/agriculture activities.
On the business support side, the next step is to ensure the completion of the project objectives, supporting the field team in its monitoring and coaching processes, and engage with multiple stakeholders to prepare for upcoming phases of the fund.
ABOUT THE JOB
General objective:
The Cash and Livelihood Program Manager oversees implementing and achieving the cash and livelihoods programme portfolio on his/her assigned base.
More specifically, the program is two-fold, with a Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) component and an Early Recovery Market System (ERMS) approach to develop and implement. The last activity will require consistent preparation and assessments phases together with the ability to work with partners.
Since the ERMS component is a new sector for SI in area, the position requires technical Livelihoods expertise in transition/early recovery context, including small business development.
S/he guarantees the relevance, quality and suitability of the proposed activities and technical approaches and s/he is a creative force in the case where certain adaptations would be necessary in view of the evolution of the needs and the context.
S/he guarantees a proper implementation of the program, including the elaboration of assessments, following an efficient monitoring system; the adaptation of a robust beneficiary selection mechanism and the design of each activity.
S/he ensures proper assessments are conducted and lessons learnt capitalized and participates proactively in sector development in the area.
S/he ensures SI’s representation to the technical and sectorial working groups and builds up the coordination that is highly expected within the relevant implementing partners.
S/he contributes to the process of institutional knowledge building and the improvement of Solidarités International methods and techniques in the field of Livelihoods.
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
Ensure the implementation and completion of the business grants component, while reporting on lessons learned, impacts and key achievements.
Ensure good implementation of the referral mechanism and cash distributions.
Set up the cash and livelihoods implementation for the upcoming grants.
Responsibilities and main activities:
Support in strategic orientation, diagnosis and project relevance
Implementation and operational monitoring
Institutional knowledge building
Personnel management
Reporting / communication / representation
YOUR PROFILE
Education / academic background:
Specific degree in International Cooperation, development, value chains or relevant sectors,
Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Project Management, Development studies, International relations or equivalent
Specific skills and experience:
Minimum 3 years with INGO in Humanitarian Project Management including FSL, with at least the management of one program specifically linked to economic recovery and market systems development
Previous experience with SI being a plus.
Experience in HR management
Experience in a volatile security context highly appreciated
Technical background in the field of market systems development and related project
Demonstrated understanding of food security and cash assistance,
Strong computer skills essential and working knowledge of Mobile Data Collection systems (e.g., Kobo or ONA)
Experience in communication with communities and implementation of accountability mechanisms
Ability to organize training and lead meetings
Capacity building to local teams is paramount for the position
Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
Database management
Language:
SI WILL OFFER YOU
A salaried position: According to experience, starting from EUR 1980 gross per month (1800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.
SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
Breaks: 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 a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.
Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds 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:
Individual, comfortable room in the guesthouse, with electricity 24/7.
Internet and Phone network available
The candidate will be based in Raqqa. She/He will live in the SI guesthouse(s). In Raqqa, living conditions are simple but highly improved with a few opportunities and places to socialize.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!
Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.
Thank you for your understanding.
To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org