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LIBERIA- Head of Mission- Monrovia

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 been working in Liberia since December 2003 after the end of the civil war, implementing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Programmes (since 2004) and Food Security Programmes (since 2006). The focus of the mission has progressively moved from emergency action to development in order to better support Liberian communities. Lately, with the influx of Ivorian refugees into Liberia, Solidarités International has started to implement emergency programmes at the border with Ivory Coast to respond to the basic needs of the refugees. Solidarités International Liberia consists of: - 1 Coordination Base in Monrovia (the capital of Liberia) with 5 expatriates and around 10 national staff - and 4 Operational Bases: o 1 in Gbarnga: with 2 expatriates and 20 national staff (closing in early 2012) o 1 in Zwedru with 5 expatriates and around 32 national staff o 1 in Harper: with 5expatriates and around 40 national staff o 1 in Barclayville (sub-base of Harper): with 2 expatriates and around 20 national staff

RESPONSABILITIES 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

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

Resources 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 Resources 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, under the supervision of the HQ Desk Officer • 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 • 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 and alert HQ without delay

Relationships with financial donors / fund-raising: • Monitor and analyze financial donor strategies • Actively assist in fund-raising and ensure the mission’s financial stability • Strengthen relationships between Solidarités International and financial donor 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: Humanitarian Assistance or Management/HR related diploma (“BTS”, license / master) or equivalent experience

Experience: Minimum 3 to 5 years with INGO specialized in Humanitarian assistance. Previous Experience in similar positions preferably with security management and experience of conflict/post-conflict settings

Technical skills and knowledge: Knowledge of Solidarités procedures, knowledge of security management Transferable skills: Efficiency, rigorous, organized, strong communication skills, diplomacy, autonomy

Other desirable qualities: Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation, ability to work under pressure and at times deal with a heavy work load

Languages: fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

DURATION 12 months, begining January 2012

STATUS Salaried post: from 2100 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.

For Heads of Mission: Possibility of a family package, including plane tickets, insurance, housing contribution, full spousal Per Diem and 50% Per Diem for each child.

  • 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:

Thanks for sending CV and cover letter to the following link:https://emea2.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?I...