YEMEN – FIELD COORDINATOR (H/F) – AL TURBAH At Solidarités International

Desired start date: 01/12/2021

Duration of the mission: 10 months (renewable)

Location: Position based in Al Turbah – West Coast / Yemen

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. Over the course of 2018, SI expanded the geographical scope of its intervention, and established presence in Al Turbah and Al Mokha in Taizz Governorate. With the opening of Al Mokha base late 2018, SI was one of the first humanitarian actors to start operations on the “West Coast”, which are now covering the southern districts of Hodeidah Governorate, close to one of the main frontlines of the conflict. In Al Turbah, SI is now looking at expanding its programming to emergency and early-recovery interventions, as well as its outreach to the city of Taizz, which after Hodeidah has been the second main frontline of the war.

For the year 2021/22; the mission has a forecasted budget of about 12M Euros. It operates from Aden, where the coordination is based, and 2 operational field bases located in Al Turbah and Al Mokha. The mission is composed of 20 expatriates and more than 120 national staffs, and is funded by BHA, CDC, YHPF, DutchMoFA, SDC, CIAA and ECHO. SI Programming in Yemen focuses on addressing immediate food needs of communities at risk of famine, as well as providing timely response to displacements of population and AWD/Cholera outbreaks. Its portfolio is primarily composed of WASH Emergency projects, along with unconditional cash distribution. Strategic and institutional priorities for the mission in 2021/22 is to strengthen its Emergency Response capacity, and develop operational capacity in Taizz city and operational bases. In parallel, and where feasible, SI is looking at implementing recovery-type of programming.

The projects to be supported by the Field Coordinator lie at the cross-road between emergency and recovery programming, encompassing both cash distribution activities to restore immediate access to food for most vulnerable households, and a range of livelihood activities including distribution of livestock, and support to small-scale irrigated crop production. Under WASH sector, SI is planning to rehabilitate centralized and decentralized water networks, as well as improve water and sanitation infrastructures in Health facilities and Hospitals.

ABOUT THE JOB

• General objectives

The mission is looking for a Field coordinator, based in Al Turbah. He/she will be involved in the functioning of Al Turbah base, follow up and support to programs, and the extension of activities in Taizz city.

SI is looking for an experienced profile, able to lead emergency-focused programming while ensuring transitional shift based on structural needs. He/she needs to be proactive and an intuitive collaborator able to lead operations in highly insecure environments. He/she ensures the implementation of SI procedures and their compliance with a potential semi-remote management. He/she should be able to initiate necessary structural adaptations and to provide guidance to collaborators.

• Priorities for the 2/3 first months

Structure the base/reach target structure and related capacity building and compliance work

Operationalization of SI strategy in the area / projects development

Close security follow-up and pursue the access strategy

• Management

The FCO will manage a team of 3 managers (Log, admin, deputy field co programme), and 38 staffs in total.

S/He is directly under the management of the Country Director with regular contacts.

YOUR PROFILE

Education and experience

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, political science, international organization management, project management or a relevant field
• Previous experience as Field Coordinator (1-2 year) a prerequisite;
• Experience in security management in tensed context;
• Experience in semi-remote management is an asset.

Knowledge and technical skills

• Good and proven writing and spoken English are required;
• Experience in delivering training and capacity building of staff;
• Knowledge of project cycle management, and project reporting;
• Arabic speaking is an asset;

Transferable skills

• Organizational and analytical skills;
• Knowledge and experience of Yemen or Middle East countries appreciated;

Qualities:

• Multi-project support experience;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Skill transfer ability highly appreciated;
• Anticipation and self-organization capacities;
• Great work and stress management capacities;
• Willingness to work in complex and volatile environments.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A SALARIED POSITION: starting from 2680 euros gross per month (2600 € + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly per diem of 750 USD a month. Please note that salary is not negotiable with SI.

VACATION: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time-off is implemented at the rate of one break after two months spent on the field. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 9 calendar days break for every 2 months spent on the field (with 850 USD allocated by Solidarités). In addition to these regular break, SI adds a day off per worked month. These days off as well as the breaks are not deducted from the paid leaves that are paid every months with your salary as they are offered by the organization.

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.

Key information about 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.

Al Turbah

Ash Shamaytayn district, Taizz governorate, is currently bordering frontlines at the east and west parts of the district. Al-Turbah city remains out of reach of pro-Houthi fighters, the nearest frontline at Hifan is at 25 km, however there is no easy road access due to the mountains. Nowadays, based near Al Turbah city, Islah forces secure the district after having taken the control from previous military forces.

Ta’iz city

Ta’iz city remains surrounded by frontlines between IRG and AA, and crossline fire occurs on a sporadic and erratic manner, however at a limited scale. Overall the security situation inside the city has largely improved since 2018 when Ta’iz was the most conflict-impacted city in Yemen and host to some extremists’ groups. Jihadi and salafi groups have since been pushed out and the general security has improved. However, criminal groups are active, clashes and shelling happen on a regular basis and evacuation options are limited. Access to the city and overnight are possible for expatriate staff but under strict security protocol and according to the situation that is monitored closely by Al Turbah base security team. Some nearby frontlines in the East and the West are impacted by the recent military activities, but for the moment they are not too close to the city which remains accessible and has no implementation restrictions

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING CONDITIONS

Aden

The coordination office in Aden is shared with the guesthouse (same building). Security rules in Aden are rather restrictive, with a curfew at 6pm, extended to 10.30pm in the area where most INGOs are located. Expatriates are allowed to go to the supermarket, to one gym, one restaurant, and two beaches (including one reachable by boat). Guesthouse is comfortable as per middle-east standards (large rooms with AC, good-standard bathrooms with running water). A gym and rest area have recently been built on the roof of the Guesthouse to improve expatriates’ living conditions.

Al Turbah

In Al Turbah expats are living in individual rooms in the shared guesthouse with very good conditions and the staff are motivated to keep a good living environment by cooking together and sharing quality time. The guesthouse and the office are located in the same compound but in different buildings with a garden in between, where a small vegetable and herb garden is being tested. The guesthouse also has a nice roof space and sport equipment. Movements on foot in the city are restricted but authorized, with few pre-assessed and validated areas for groceries shopping, haircut, etc. There is a good variety of food items in the local markets (also imported) and fresh fruits/vegetables.

Ta’iz city

In Ta’iz city, the guesthouse also offers good conditions and comfort but for now movements are restricted to work related only (no walk policy) with a curfew from 06:00 pm to 06:00 am. We are currently looking to change premises in an area where other NGOs are relocating.