More Information
- Experience 0-2
Desired start date: 25/04/2025
Duration of the mission: 1 year
Location: Kyiv
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 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 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
Since the beginning of the “full scale invasion” of Ukraine by Russian Forces, SI has been responding to the needs of the population in the territories under the control of the Governement of Ukraine. While the programming was rightly very much geared towards immediate emergency response in 2022 and 2023, 2024 was a transitional year towards a more emergency and recovery balanced programming , In 2025 SI programmatic strateguc will revolve around 2 axis, axis 1 being about responding to both acute and chronic emergencies and axis 2 being about contributing to create conducive conditions for safe and dignified stay and return in stabilized areas (in support to local authorities for them to be able to deliver a better WASH public service). SI in Ukraine works in the sectors of WASH and SHELTER and promote an integrated approach whenever feasible and relevant. SI is also committed to transfer a portion of their activitie to local partners. In 2025 the se t-up will be comprised of (roughly) 105 staffs, including 20 expatriates. The activities are implemented in 6 oblasts in the south and the east of Ukraine, and coordinated through 3 field bases in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mikolaiv. The coordination office is located in Kyiv. Donors in 2025 will be BHA, CDCS, AFD, ECHO (and likely SDC).
General objective:
The CD is the Solidarités International official representative in a country, or in an part of a country according to the cut-out decided.
- S/He is in charge of the smooth running of the mission.
- S/He proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated.
- S/He monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures.
- S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources.
- S/He coordinates the teams in place and ensures their security on the mission.
- S/He is the direct liaison for Solidarités International HQ.
The main challenges:
The mission is still relatively young and the CD will need the accompany and lead several critical transformations:
- Progressive switch to reconstruction/development projects.
- Localisation including the progressive replacement of key expatriate managers by Ukrainian colleagues and the implementation of the location strategy as defined by the mission in 25
- Strong donors’ engagement including through joining existing or new consortium complementing our activities
- Managing and adapting the HR structure to the new volume of activities
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
- Support and accompany the bases and the Kyiv coordination in putting in place the new organisational chart post BHA including roles and responsibilities, communication channels, Ways of working, etc.
- Strengthen mission autonomy by identifying priority areas for capacity building and proposing solutions to improve collective performance
- Opertionalise the SI Ukraine localisation strategy
- Maintain a high level of visibility of SI in Ukraine through permanent networking and interaction within the humanitarian ecosystem including donors, INGOs, local NGOs etc..
- Launch preparatory work for the 2026-2031 strategic review
- Improve the coordination and communication mechanisms between bases and Coordination.
Security constraints:
There are few security constraints in Kyiv, though the context can evolve quickly and there are periodic attacks that generally target known areas (SI accommodation and office is deliberately chosen to reduce the proximity to target areas). Nevertheless, air alarms are still very frequent and can last for hours, which can cause stress. SI security rules and set-up is a very effective protection against the effects of the attacks and the risk to staff is therefore very low in Kyiv.
National curfew is in place between midnight and 5am. Noise of explosions can sometimes be heard. Security briefings are given pre-departure, upon arrival, and upon travelling to field bases (where additional security protocols may be in place). SI Ukraine offers 24/7 psychological support to any staff affected by the stress of the security situation, and takes staff wellbeing and safety extremely seriously.
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 3740 gross per month (3400 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:
The office and guesthouses are in the city center, offering many opportunities in Kyiv:
– Parks, restaurants, bars, sports facilities and gyms, music events, museums, art galleries
– Well-stocked supermarkets and local markets with fresh products at lower prices, as well as specialist shops and international goods
– Easy access to ATMs, though it is common to pay by bank card
– The office is a 10-20 minute walk from the guesthouses. It is bright, spacious, and fully equipped with dual monitors for all staff.
– Occasional power cuts
– Excellent opportunities to network with other international colleagues as there are so many INGOs present
– Convenient walking, taxis and subway
DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE
Master in Humanitarian Affairs or equivalent
Experience in the humanitarian sector : +5 years
Experience on a similar position : 3-4 years
SKILLS
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Management and leadership skills, involves others to seek solutions and reacts quickly to new challenges
- Networking skills, donor engagement and strategic development
- Delegation, organization and planning skills including capacity to make people work together in a conducive working environment
- Ability to mobilize the necessary resources (human, financial, material) to achieve the objectives set in the country strategy
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
1. Negotiation and diplomacy skills with local authorities, donors, INGOs, UNS, etc.
2. Adaptability, flexibility and good resistance to stress
3. Communication and external representation
LANGUAGES
1. English (mandatory)
2. French (desirable)
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
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Solidarités International (SI) est déterminé à prévenir et à combattre tout type d’abus – tout acte d’exploitation, d’abus et/ou de harcèlement sexuels (SEAH) à l’encontre des membres des communautés bénéficiaires ou de ses collaborateurs et collaboratrices, atteinte aux personnes et/ou aux biens, fraude, corruption, conflit d’intérêt non déclaré, financement d’activités portant atteinte aux droits de l’homme – qui pourrait être perpétré dans le cadre de ses interventions. SI applique une tolérance zéro à l’égard de tout type d’abus, particulièrement des actes de SEAH.
Solidarités International est un employeur équitable qui combat toute forme de discrimination. SI ne demandera jamais une rétribution quelconque en vue de participer à un processus de recrutement.
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 find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.