Handicap International Head of Mission - Middle East

GENERAL JOB CONDTIONS

Status Salaried
Salary Upon experience Duration 3 months, starting 29/10/2012
Advantages Social cover, repatriation insurance, housing, transport, R&R Couple/ Family Unaccompanied departure would be preferred Working conditions Important workload, living conditions comfortable but in community.

NGO PRESENTATION

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights.

Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.

Through its Emergency Response Department (ERD), created in 2006 after the merge with Atlas Logistique, the organization is committed to:

 Provide an adequate response to major natural disaster and conflict situations, anywhere in the world as much as possible within 72 hours;

 Provide assistance to vulnerable groups (refugees, IDPs, persons with injuries, elders, children, etc.) affected by a crisis and maximize the number of beneficiaries. Within vulnerable groups, target especially PwD and meet their specific needs;

 Constantly monitor chronic crises and/or conflicts to ensure preparedness for and rapid response to eventual emerging needs.

Directly linked to the Emergency Response Department of Handicap International France, the expatriate will be mandated for the following mission:

MISSION CONTEXT

Yearlong unrest in the Syrian Arab Republic has caused the displacement of civilians fleeing from violence in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq in the past months. Following the degradation of the situation in February (intensification of military operations) and the increasing number of Syrian population finding refuge in the peripheral countries, HI launched an assessment mission in March, in order to assess the situation of the Syrian refugees in the peripheral countries, to define scenario and preparedness analysis for Syria, and for a potential degradation in peripheral countries and to make some recommendations for a possible intervention.

In Lebanon, as of March 2012, 9,408 displaced Syrians are currently registered with UNHCR and the High Relief Commission (HRC) in the north. There are an additional estimated 2,000-3,000 people to be registered in Tripoli and surrounding areas. In the Bekaa valley, UNHCR and partners point to over 7,500 persons. In Jordan, more than 5,000 Syrians have registered with UNHCR since March 2011, with a further 2,000 awaiting registration. In addition, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization estimates that there may be some 15,000 to 20,000 Syrians who have fled into Jordan but have not yet requested assistance or protection. In Turkey, since April 2011, almost 40,000 Syrian citizens came in the country. Some of these people have returned to the Syrian Arab Republic and today the total camp population numbers around 25,000 refugees in ten camps, which are managed by the Government: seven in Hatay province, one in Gaziantep province, one in Kilis province and one in Sanliurfa province. Displacement into Iraq has so far been limited and Iraq is seen as a country of asylum of last resort. As of March 2012, Syrians of mainly Kurdish origin have crossed into the Kurdish administered part of Iraq.

The response to this influx varies from country to country. In Jordan and Lebanon, where the majority of Syrians are currently residing in urban areas, either with host families or in rented accommodation, activities are focused on identifying and responding to protection concerns; providing basic needs, food, access to health and education, as well as supporting host communities. In Turkey, the government bodies and the Turkish Red Crescent provide assistance in ten locations, including tented camps and a container city. In line with the invitation of the Turkish Authorities, UNHCR had first deployed a team to Hatay Province in order to provide advice to the Turkish Government on the implementation of temporary protection for Syrian refugees. Given the increasing number of arrivals and the overall situation early April (around 4,000 refugees fled Syria to Turkey since April 5th) the Government called for the support of the international community on April, 6th.

The main findings of the assessment mission are the following:

 Lack of physical rehabilitation services at secondary level

 Lack of basic services and support to vulnerable populations in specific areas

 High risk of deterioration of the humanitarian situation

 Landmines or Explosive Remnants of War threats

In a very volatile and complex context, Handicap International designed a regional strategy of emergency response and preparedness for the population affected by the on-going Syrian Crisis. It aims at responding to specific and residual needs of vulnerable persons with a particular emphasis on persons with injuries, as well as quickly adjusting the response to emerging needs.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

In the current context, the main objective is to alleviate suffering of vulnerable civilians and support their coping mechanisms as soon as possible. HI is prepared to respond to 4 specific objectives:

1) Provide missing secondary health care for persons with injuries affected by the conflict through specialised rehabilitation services and equipment In Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey physical rehabilitation focal point will be deployed (Irbid, Ramtha, El Mafraq in Jordan, Tripoli in Lebanon, Hatay and Gaziantep provinces in Turkey), aiming at providing support, training and accompaniment to local professionals based in hospitals/specialised centres/private clinics, and aiming at linking persons in need of P&O appliance with national service providers with financial and operational support.

2) Improve the coverage of basic and specific needs of persons at risk/vulnerable persons and their families In Jordan and Lebanon, multidisciplinary teams will be deployed in partnership with local organizations (northern Bekaa in Lebanon, northern Jordan) in order to improve the coverage of specific needs of persons at risk/vulnerable persons and their families (Complementary identification and response to specific needs, referrals, on-the-job training and accompaniment) as well as the coverage of the basic needs in residual areas.

3) Enhance rapid and flexible interventions through Preparedness and Pre-propositioning
In order to immediately respond to specific and residual needs as well as quickly adjust the response to emerging needs, HI has designed its emergency preparedness plan according to the analysis of most likely scenarii. The purpose of this exercise was to identify and anticipate humanitarian needs which will follow. As any of the scenario can arise any time, HI response is designed to be light, mobile and at variable scale. This component will be implemented in each of the country as well as considering a potential intervention in Syria.

4) To provide a preventive intervention capacity for the reduction of the mine/ERW risk, through a regional emergency approach (PROTECTION) The primary goal of Emergency Mine Risk Education (EMRE) is to provide clear warnings about the explosive threat to as many impacted people as possible in order to raise their awareness of the danger and to give them basic safety messages on how to minimise the risk: distribution and broadcast of Mine Risk Awareness material. EMRE will be primarily deployed in Jordan.

Handicap International Emergency Intervention for Syrian crisis

Lebanon

Provision of emergency physical rehabilitation at secondary level (Tripoli)
Improvement of basic and specific needs coverage of persons at risk/vulnerable persons and their families (DVFP in northern Bekaa) Disability and Vulnerability Mainstreaming toward humanitarian community
Emergency preparedness

Jordan

Provision of emergency physical rehabilitation at secondary level (Irbid, Ramtha, El Mafraq) Improvement of specific needs coverage of persons at risk/vulnerable persons and their families (DVFP in northern Jordan)
Emergency preparedness Emergency Mine Risk Education

Turkey*

Provision of emergency physical rehabilitation at secondary level (Hatay and Gaziantep) Improvement of specific needs coverage of persons at risk/vulnerable persons and their families (11 camps)
Emergency preparedness

Syria -Emergency preparedness

• The intervention in Turkey is subject to the authorizations of Turkish authorities and Ministry of Health

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES OF THE EXPATRIATE

Under the direct responsibility and support of the Emergency Relief Department Desk Officer, you will be responsible for:

 Ensuring the global coordination of the program implemented within the different countries (may it regards strategic, operational, human, material or financial aspects);

 Representing Handicap International towards institutional donors, local authorities and partners in collaboration with Development Department Regional Office;

 Ensuring application and respect of logistics, accountability and financial procedures, based on the management and the support of Administrative and Logistics Coordinators;

 Ensuring the operational management of the team placed under your responsibility(expatriate and national staff);

 Ensuring strategic programs development in accordance with humanitarian needs identified as well as financial opportunities to be raised in the frame of Handicap International’s mandate and expertise;

 Ensuring the security of the staff members, operations and means related to the program under your responsibility, in coordination with the designated field security officer;

 Ensuring the success of the handover of programs implemented towards Development Desk, when decided so by HQ Programs Steering Committee;

 Ensuring smooth and regular reporting activities by all member of the mission toward Head Quarter.

 Ensuring the smooth coordination with the Development Department Regional and Field Offices

MAIN TAKS OF THE EXPATRIATE

Under the direct responsibility and support of the Emergency Relief Department Desk Officer, you will be responsible for:

REPRESENTATION  You are the main interlocutor of Handicap International towards local authorities, institutional donors, humanitarian actors and partners;

 You participate actively to coordination and information meetings (clusters, NGO coordination, etc.);

 You represent the organisation, its activities and programs during delegation visits;

 After consultation with the desk officer and the Development Department Regional and Field Office you may respond to media solicitations.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAMS  You regularly follow up humanitarian needs, donors strategies, financing opportunities into the region;

 You regularly update programs strategy suggestions for Handicap International in the region;

 You may be asked to lead assessment missions for the elaboration of new projects;

 You ensure proposal and reports writing (renewal of projects or new projects);

 You discuss proposal submitted towards potential donors and negotiate related budgets.

SUPERVISION AND MONITORING

 You ensure the coherence and the homogeneity of all projects under your responsibility (methodologies, indicators and results follow up);

 You organise and animate team coordination meetings as frequently as possible;

 You organize field visits on each operational base on a regular basis;

 You organize and animate workgroups on a regular basis with each project manager;

 You inform your desk officer of any relevant issue related to the project implementation;

 You ensure a monthly follow up of the projects impact indicators;

 You guarantee the respect of applicable logistics and administrative procedures through management of the administrative and logistics coordinators;

 You are responsible for the monthly follow up of the budgets through management of the administrator;

 You are responsible for the transparency of acquisition, utilisation and follow up of all materials and equipments dedicated to the projects through management of the logistician;

 You are responsible for eligibility and goods utilisation of funds allocated to the projects.

SECURITY MANAGEMENT  Update security plans in collaboration with the field security officer and Emergency Coordinators as well as in links with the Development Department Office;

 Ensure, in collaboration with the Emergency Coordinators and field security officer, the strict respect of any applicable security measures;

 Participate or ensure participation of the field security officer to interagency security meetings;

 Ensure a geopolitical regional information update : information searching, sources crossing, interagency sharing information;

 Coordinate implementation of any emergency security procedure (evacuation, hibernation, etc.) and ensure link with HQ in such cases.

TEAM MANAGEMENT  You ensure strict application and respect of the General Terms and Conditions of engagement for expatriate staff of Handicap International. You can suggest to the desk officer precision/adaptation of certain rules taking into account the specific context of the mission (security, social life, breaks, etc.);

 You define, with each expatriate, his action plan and delay for reaching defined goals (IAP);

 You support and advise your team in the implementation of their IAP;

 You ensure feed back towards your team about issues potentially raised by them;

 You ensure a good communication – coordination – information level of each member of your team through regular coordination meetings (or other if needed);

 You are concerned and aware on the personal and professional evolution of each expatriate, and its development within the mission : individual interviews, oral and written evaluations;

 You ensure conflict resolution (personal and professional) within your team and inform your desk officer;

 You propose relevant needed adaptation to the organisational chart of the mission and contribute to its implementation (job descriptions, etc.), in collaboration with the expatriate team and the desk officer;

 You support expatriates in their national staff management: coordination meetings, individual interviews, etc.

REPORTING  You receive and take acknowledgment of technical sitreps sent by your team (administrative, logistics, and project technical sitreps);

 You write the missions monthly sitreps, and send them monthly to the emergency desk officer;

 You regularly update partners on the organisation activities (especially in relevant coordination meetings) and send activities reports when accurate;

 You regularly update donors on projects follow up (through contractual demanded or ad hoc reports);

 You provide the desk officer with a mission report and/or handover document at the end of your contract;

 Debriefing at HQ at the end of your mission (and during Home-Break).

PROFILE REQUIRED

 3 years experience at key management position within international organisations;

 Previous experience in disability field is mandatory;

 Keen on developing the links and continuum between relief activities and development projects;

 Motivated by constant programme adaptation to an evolving context and set up of partnerships with local and international partners;

 Good skills in organisation, co-ordination and the transfer of knowledge are essential;

 Excellent communication skills and a commitment to team work;

 Excellent written and spoken English;

 Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills ;

 Ability to work under high pressure with a great level of personal organisation;

 Ability to work in a tense context with strict security measures;

 Proven experience in project writing and reporting;

 Previous experience in conflict zone is mandatory.

How to apply: 

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to: Jeanne VOGT – HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL - Direction de l’Action d’Urgence Réf : SURMANE/Firstname/Head of Mission E-mail : officerh3@handicap-international.org