YEMEN – COUNTRY DIRECTOR (H/F) – ADEN At Solidarités International

Desired start date: 20/02/2022

Duration of the mission: 12 months (renewable pending fundings)

Location: Position based in Aden

ABOUT THE MISSION

SI opened its mission in Yemen in 2017, establishing its coordination in Aden. With the support of the Emergency DESK, SI mission was able to quickly acquire operational capacity, which was first deployed in Lahj Governorate, for implementation of WASH and Food Security Programming. Since then, SI expanded the geographical scope of its intervention, and established offices in Al Turbah and Al Mokha in Taizz Governorate and operational presence in Hodeidah, Dahle, and Abyan Governorates. In June 2021, SI started operations in Marib governorate (Marib City, Marib Al Wadi), and established permanent presence with opening a field office in Marib City.

SI strategy in Yemen aims at addressing the overlapping of needs observed, from sudden shocks to more structural needs requiring resilience and development-like intervention. The programming focuses on three main sectors of intervention: Wash, FSL and Shelter; and its related portfolio is primarily composed of WASH Emergency projects integrating early recovery, along with unconditional cash distribution and livelihood activities. Strategic and institutional priorities for the mission in 2022 is to maintain its Emergency Response capacity, and develop operational capacity in the Field Offices, while progressively phasing into resilience programming. Shelter interventions mainly focus on emergency onset and displaced population. SI strategy is currently aligning to SI international strategy 2022-2025 and is implemented in close coordination with Yemen Country WASH and FSL Clusters. SI also forges close collaboration with Government technical water authorities and bilateral links with sister agencies.

For the year 2022, the mission has a forecasted budget of about 12.5M Euros. The mission is composed of 19 expatriates and 130 national staff, and is funded by ECHO, BHA, CDC, YHPF, SDC, DutchMoFA and CIAA.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Country Director is the Solidarités International official representative in a country, in charge of the smooth running of the mission, and the overall HR and security management. S/He proposes and carries out the mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context. Along with the technical coordination team, s/he monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures; and mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources.

Specific Stake and Challenges :

Opened in 2017, Yemen mission remains quite young, with associated challenges in terms of national staff capacity, overall structuration, and capitalization. While a lot of work has been done to structure the mission, and strengthen local capacities, enforcement of established roles and responsibilities, as well as of SI standard procedures, remains a continuous effort.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months :

• Carry out the newly developed 2022-2025 Strategy and ensure the implementation of Annual Plans
• Supervise the mission fundraising based on the programming of the mission, and proposal development in support to technical coordinators
• Strengthen SI representation and visibility

Management:

The Country Director will lead a foreseen team of 19 expatriates’ staff in different bases and 130 national staff. Under its direct line management, the CD has 3 Field Coordinators, 1 Logistics Coordinator, 1 Admin Coordinator, 1 HR Coordinator, 1 Deputy Country Director – Programs, 1 Security and Access responsible and 1 liaison officer

YOUR PROFILE

Education and Experience

• Third level qualification in humanitarian/development studies, social sciences, management or other related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years overseas experience working with an international humanitarian/development NGO, with strong program management, team management and financial management experience.
• Minimum 2 years in a similar position
• Experience of working and managing security in insecure environments
• Proven management ability, including ability to motivate and develop skills of team’s members. Must be able to make sound management decisions in difficult situations and also be able to work in a participatory manner with colleagues.
• Proven ability to deal with donors and operational partners.
• Proven ability to develop adapted humanitarian vision and strategy.
• Experience working with SI (or a similar organization) is an asset
• Prior experience in the Middle East (particularly on Yemen crisis) is an asset

Skills and Qualities

• Strong knowledge of donors’ policies and guidelines;
• Strong knowledge of the project cycle management;
• Strong knowledge of principled-based approaches and advocacy skills;
• Excellent communication, networking skills, organizational and prioritization skills, ability to multi-task
• Excellent reporting and writing skills
• Extensive knowledge of project cycle management
• Used to work in political and security volatile environments
• Capacity to adapt and show organizational flexibility
• Cross cultural sensitivity, good sense of humor and great team member
• Fluent English (written, spoken and read)
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• Knowledge of French is an asset
• Computer literacy with very good command of MS Office

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from 3300 euros gross per month (3000 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem rate of 750 USD a month. SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation:
Vacation: during the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break after every two months spent on the mission.

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 and constraints related to security :

Aden

The situation in terms of security remains volatile in Aden, linked to the political tensions and presence of several armed groups competing over the control of the city. In the context of Aden however, INGOs are not a direct target. Main risks for INGOs in Aden relate to crossfire (wrong location at the wrong moment), crowd mob and road accidents. To mitigate these risks, SI has developed strict security rules that the applicant needs to be ready to abide to.

The living conditions in Aden are good and are being constantly improved so as to retain expatriate staffs. The guesthouse and office are in the same building, which has limited outdoor space except for a very large rooftop. Because of the context and nature of threats, security rules are restrictive: curfew at 10.30PM, movements allowed only within limited perimeters, few places authorized for expatriates. Local supermarkets are supplied with most food items we can find in Western countries, except for cheese. Most INGOs in Aden have permanent expatriate presence, and, within the limits of the curfew, social gathering can/is taking place. Trips to the field are possible for expatriates under certain condition and rules.