AFGHANISTAN - Field Coordinator - Yakawlang

Solidarités International is a French humanitarian organization which provides aid and assistance to victims of war or natural disaster. For over 30 years the association has focused on meeting three vital needs - water, food and shelter - by carrying out emergency programmes followed by longer-term reconstruction projects. Whilst fully respecting the assisted populations’ customs and culture, Solidarités International’s programmes are implemented through the joint expertise of around 180 expatriates and 1500 local managerial staff and employees. Solidarités International is currently present in Africa (Central African Republic, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Liberia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe), in Asia (Afghanistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar) and in Haiti.

CONTEXT OF INTERVENTION

Solidarités International’s (SI) mission in Afghanistan was and still is a historically significant mission, linked to the birth and development of the association. The mission was the biggest of the association until 2003/2004 when a volume reduction trend started. From 2008 onwards, the trend was reversed and the mission witnessed an increase in the volume of activities with the maintaining and strengthening of a major rural development component both linked to the humanitarian situation in Solidarités International’s areas of intervention (mainly the central highlands) and a donor strategy putting emphasis on early recovery and development type projects. In addition, it should be noted that since 2005, Solidarités International continued the implementation of WASH projects in “urban poor” environments in Kabul city and its immediate outskirts. At the same time, Solidarités kept up its intervention in peak crisis situations with the implementation of emergency food security-related projects (direct food distribution, voucher for work, cash for work, food for work, and emergency shelter) in its areas of intervention. Finally, throughout 2010, SI began the development of its emergency response capacity, setting up an umbrella emergency response mechanism in several provinces of the country.

Currently, Solidarités International’s intervention takes place in four provinces: Kabul, Bamyan, Baghlan and Samangan.

OUTLINE OF POST

The Field Coordinator of Yakawlang is in charge of the general coordination of the Solidarités base in Yakawlang district. He has to manage the national team in order to ensure coherence of the activities in light of humanitarian needs but also field constraints.

The Field Coordinator has a key position in terms of : - Projects implementation and quality, follow-up of indicators. - Base/team management (Log/Admin/HR/operational). - Context follow-up and security of the teams. - To write potential new proposals. - To have an overall view and analysis on the humanitarian needs of the district of Yakawlang. - The Field Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Head of Mission based in Kabul.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination and strategic orientation : • Within his/her intervention zone, monitor and analyse the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and economic context. • Within his/her intervention zone, propose and develop an operational strategy in line with the association's policies and the population's needs. • Within his/her intervention zone, propose new operational directions according to how the context develops.

Relevance and operational quality / operation monitoring : • Ensure the coordination, development, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes implemented within his/her intervention zone. • Ensure that the programmes in his/her intervention are relevant and consistent. • Ensure that the programmes in his/her intervention zone are implemented in accordance with the annual operational strategy, Solidarités International's technical requirements and financial donor' criteria.

Resource management : • Propose the human, financial and logistical scale for his/her intervention zone and its organisation. • Ensure that financial resources and other means necessary for accomplishing projects in his/her intervention zone are mobilized. • Guarantee the appropriate use of resources in his/her intervention zone.

Human Resources management : • Build and maintain a team dynamic which enables the objectives of Solidarités International to be carried out in his/her intervention zone. • Promote the ethics and values of Solidarités International. • Monitor the implementation of Solidarités International's human resources policy and procedures (recruitment, EAP, etc.). • Monitor the personal and professional stability of Solidarités International employees and ensure that an adequate living and working environment is maintained. • Manage associates placed under his/her direct supervision.

Security : • Responsibility for the security of teams and property in his/her assigned zone, under the HoM's supervision. • Monitor and analyse the security situation and ensure it is understood by teams. • Ensure that all new arrivals in his/her intervention zone are given a geopolitical and security briefing. • Under the supervision of the Head of Mission, ensure that all documents and procedures relating to security are updated regularly. • Ensure that all security rules and procedures are respected in his/her intervention zone. • Ensure that a permanent security monitoring system is set up. • Ensure the immediate management of any security incidents occurring in his/her intervention zone and immediately notify the HoM.

Financial backer relations / search for funding : • Monitor and analyse financial donor strategies in his/her intervention zone. • Participate, at the request of the HoM, in the search for funding and ensure the financial stability of the organisation and the programmes implemented in his/her intervention zone. • Strengthen relations between Solidarités International and donor representatives in his/her intervention zone.

Internal and external communication : • Ensure that documents produced in his/her intervention zone meet deadlines and quality standards. • Ensure that all internal reporting respects the standard formats and procedures. • Organise regular coordination meetings. • Ensure that key operational information circulates properly, in his/her intervention zone and between the bases and the country coordination.

Representation : • Be the official representative of Solidarités International at district and provincial level for aid workers, administrative, political and local authorities, civil society and the media. • Be an active participant in humanitarian forums and relevant coordination meetings at district and provincial level (Bamyan).

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education : • Master’s degree in international development, political studies, humanitarian aid. • A degree in Agronomy (CNEARC, etc.) or rural development would be a huge plus.

Experience : • Previous experience in project/field coordination required. • Previous experience in food security / rural development fields required. • Previous experience of project management in NGO/humanitarian field. • Previous experience in unstable and volatile environment (conflict / post conflict country). • Previous experience in security management. • Experience of team management.

Technical skills : • Strong knowledge in Project Cycle Management. • Knowledge in general agronomy, rural development and food security issues. • Knowledge and previous experience in project cycle management. • Knowledge of water issues for agriculture and social water management will be appreciated. • Knowledge of security management.

Languages : Fluent in English (written, spoken, read). French would be highly appreciated (reporting to donor in French).

Computer skills : Excellent computer skills (Microsoft office package and internet).

Other : • Good analytical and writing skills. • Adaptability to work in remote area and under difficult climatic conditions (very cold winter – quite hot in summer). • Knowledge of the Afghan context (highly appreciated). • Good knowledge of Islamic environment. • Knowledge of Dari or Farsi will be appreciated.

Rigor, patience, autonomy and capacity of adaptation are necessary skills.

CONDITIONS

Salaried post: from 1700 euros gross per month, according to experience, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 500 USD.

Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate’s home country to the site of the assignment.

• 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.

• Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 15-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).

DURATION : 12 months, beginning February 2012.

How to apply:

Please send us a CV and cover letter, either through our website or via the following link : https://emea2.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?I....