Head of Mission- Islamabad

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 150 expatriates and 1500 local managerial staff and employees. Solidarités International is currently present in Africa (Burundi, 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 Scarred by conflict and buffeted by earthquakes and floods, Pakistan is a major recipient of aid. In 2010, unprecedented flooding affected 20 million people in Pakistan, a fifth of the population. On inspecting the damage, U.N. Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon said the flooding was one of the worst humanitarian emergencies he had witnessed. Solidarités International implements WASH activities in Sindh province. The current mission has been in operation since September 2010 and is positioned to grow and develop in the near future. Currently the mission has 10 expatriates and around 150 national staff. OUTLINE OF POST The Head of Mission is Solidarités International’s official representative in Pakistan. S/He is in charge of the smooth running of the mission. S/He designs mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, the mission and organizational capacity, and ensures its implementation. S/He is a referent for programmatic personnel to give advice on project implementation and methodology. S/He monitors projects and the mission, ensuring that mission and projects 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. S/He is responsible for liaison with authorities on technical issues. S/He is responsible for national level coordination with the UN, NGOs and partners. S/He is responsible for international human resources management on the mission. S/He is responsible and accountable for the financial risks assumed on the mission. S/He is responsible for the facilitating HQ visits. S/He is responsible for participating in and overseeing reporting, project design, proposal writing and communications with partners. S/He is responsible for increasing visibility and notoriety of Solidarites International in country, also assuming responsibility to ensure the good reputation of the organization. S/He is responsible for supporting teams as and when necessary in terms of covering human resources gaps. S/He is responsible for designing the mission structure. S/He is responsible for designing and implementing a human resources recruitment plan for the mission. S/He is responsible for training of staff and working to support career development of personnel on the mission. S/He is responsible for protecting the integrity of Solidarites International in terms of membership with forums or other groups and meetings, and in partnerships with stakeholders in country. S/He is responsible for evaluation of staff performances. S/He is responsible for media communications and public information in country. S/He is responsible for supporting teams in decision making and overcoming challenges.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination and strategic orientation: • Monitor and analyze the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and economic context • Propose and develop an operational strategy consistent with the association’s policies and population’s needs • Define a plan of action for putting this strategy in place • Propose new operational directions as contexts change • Participate in and support the design of new operational strategies

Relevance and operational quality / operations monitoring: • Guarantee the coordination, development, monitoring and evaluation of programs implemented on the mission • Ensure the relevance, quality and consistency of programs • Ensure that programs are implemented in accordance with annual operational strategy, Solidarités International technical requirements and financial donor criteria

Resource management: • Propose and organize the human, financial and logistic layout of the mission • Ensure the financial resources and means necessary for the completion of projects are mobilized • Guarantee that resources are used effectively

Human Resource Management: • Build and maintain team dynamics that enable Solidarités International objectives to be carried out effectively in the country • Promote Solidarités International ethics and values • Ensure that Solidarités International Human Resource policies and procedures are applied (recruitment, performance reviews, etc.) • Ensure work-life balance for Solidarités International staff and maintain suitable working and living environments • Manage the coordination team as well as staff s/he supervises directly

Security: • Be responsible for the security of all teams and property on the mission • Monitor and analyze the security situation and ensure that teams clearly understand it • Ensure every new arrival on the mission receives a geopolitical and security briefing • Ensure that documents and procedures relating to security are regularly updated • Design a security management system for the field • Ensure that everyone complies with security rules and procedures on the mission • Ensure that a permanent security watch is put in place • Deal immediately with any security incidents that may occur on the mission alerting HQ as necessary

Relationships with financial donors / fund-raising: • Monitor and analyze financial donor strategies • Actively raise funds for the mission • Ensure the mission’s financial stability • Create, maintain and strengthen relationships between Solidarités International and financial donor organizations and representatives

Internal and external communication: • Ensure that deadlines are adhered to and that documents produced by the mission are of good quality • Ensure compliance with formats and procedures in internal reporting • Organize coordination meetings on a regular basis • Ensure that key operational information is circulated correctly, on the mission and between the mission and HQ

Representation: • Act as the Solidarités International official representative in the country for aid workers, local political and administrative authorities, the civil society and the media • Attend humanitarian forums and relevant coordination meetings

PROFILE Education (ideally): - Third level qualification in development studies, social sciences, development management or other related discipline. Experience (ideally): - Minimum 4 years overseas experience working with an international humanitarian / development NGO, with strong programme management, team management and financial management experience; - Experience of working in insecure environments; - Proven management ability, including ability to motivate and develop skills of others. Must be able to make sound management decisions in difficult situations and also be able to work in a participatory manner with colleagues. Technical skills (necessary/optional): - Strong knowledge of donors’ policies and guidelines; - Excellent redaction, organizational and planning skills; - Strong knowledge of the project cycle management. Computer skills: - Very good knowledge of Microsoft Office - Communications media an advantage Other (age/gender/specific aptitudes/education demanded): - Good networking skills; - Strong communication, problem solving and analytical skills; - Able to prioritize and handle a diverse and heavy workload; - Knowledge of rights based approaches, equality issues and advocacy skills; - Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity; - Empathy with organisational goals; - Patience and sense of humour. Language: Fluent in English (French is also an advantage)

DURATION 12 months, beginning January 2012

STATUS Salaried post: from 2100 euros gross per month, according to experience. Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate’s home country to the site of the assignment. A monthly Per Diem of between 400 and 500 euros will be provided to cover food and other living expenses. - 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).

How to apply:

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