BANGLADESH - Field Coordinator - Shyamnagar

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 has now been present in Bangladesh for 4 years. The mission’s overall operational objective for 2012 is to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations, along with their capacity to withstand natural disaster and discrimination (migrants, refugees, and the urban and rural poor).

Solidarités International’s activities in Bangladesh target the basic needs of crisis-affected persons in terms of food security, water, hygiene and sanitation, and shelter. SI is currently implementing projects in two different areas: emergency and early recovery programs in the wake of flooding in the Satkhira District, with a wide range of activities in shelter, water access, hygiene and sanitation; along with water, hygiene and sanitation projects in Cox’s Bazaar district for both Rohingya refugees and local communities.

Heavier than usual rains during late July and early August 2011 resulted in flooding in many areas of Bangladesh. In the south western districts of Satkhira, Jessore and Khulna, the flood waters have not significantly receded with some unions remaining inundated with water. This situation is being referred to as prolonged water-logging.

The situation has caused significant displacement of people in flooded areas. Many people have re-located to high ground close to their homes on roadsides and embankments as well as to collective centers such as schools, colleges and cyclone shelters. People not displaced are also affected by the water; some people continued to reside in homes surrounded by water cutting them off from facilities (marooned), while others continued to live in houses that were damaged, flooded, or destroyed.

In addition to the immediate needs there is concern for the mid- to longer-term impact on households and livelihoods, as it is expected to be several months before the water recedes. Most people in the affected areas made their living from involvement in agriculture, or shrimp and fish cultivation, all of which were severely affected.

In November 2011, most of the displaced people came back to their villages. But despite an emergency response fund by ECHO focused on food security and water and sanitation, the affected population is still in need of significant support in term of shelter, water and sanitation and livelihood.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination and strategic orientation : • Monitor and analyse the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and economic context. • Propose and develop an operational strategy in line with the association's policies and the population's needs. • 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 Resource 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 in his/her intervention zone for aid workers, administrative, political and local authorities, civil society and the media • Be an active participant in humanitarian forums and relevant coordination meetings

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education : Post-graduate qualification in development studies/ humanitarian management (desirable, but can be compensated by experience)

Experience : • 2 years of experience in a management role in an overseas NGO environment, ideally in both emergency and developmental contexts • Experience of managing large teams in multiple locations with various problematics • Experience of budget management and donor compliance • Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different professional backgrounds and cultures

Technical skills and knowledge : • Excellent representational skills: able to represent SI in interactions with a broad range of people and organizations, including donors and government officials • An ability to reflect on and learn from your own performance and the performance of the program; and to put that learning into practice • A good understanding of security management • A good understanding of DRR and climate change issues • Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office

Personal qualities : • An ability to analyze information quickly and accurately • Good problem-solving skills in day-to-day and crisis situations • A flexible approach to managing a heavy workload and multiple tasks within tight deadlines • Ability to take decisions and work independently • An understanding of and commitment to SI’s mission and values

Language : Good communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English

Other : Knowledge of Bengali is an advantage

Added advantages: • Previous experience in South Asia • Previous experience with SI

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 450 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 1st March 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....