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Solidarités International SOUTH SOUDAN - Country Director


MISSION Solidarités International is a French international 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, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire), in Asia (Afghanistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan) and in Haiti.
CONTEXT OF INTERVENTION
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL has been present in South Sudan since 2007 when it conducted a first assessment in Malakal area (Upper Nile State). Currently, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL is running rural and semi-urban WASH programs in three states in the North East part of the country: Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity. SI targets counties prone to receiving IDPs and/or returnees and which are prone to natural disaster (namely flooding, Kalazar or Cholera outbreaks, Low nutrition rates). Upper Nile and North Jonglei programmes are operated out of Malakal, the Upper Nile State capital and funded by OFDA and CHF. Unity State programmes are operated from Leer, southern Unity State funded by OFDA, with an administrative office in Bentiu, the Unity State capital. SI is the WASH cluster focal point for both Unity State since early January 2012 and Upper Nile State since November 2011 through UNICEF funding. An emergency response project is implemented on ECHO funding since September 2011. It covers the 10 States of the Republic of South Sudan.
OUTLINE OF POSITION
The Country Director is the Solidarités International official representative in the country. S/He is in charge of the smooth operation of all mission activities. S/He is responsible for the safety and security of all staff and assets on the mission. S/He proposes mission strategies, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context and ensures implementation once it has been validated. S/He monitors projects, ensuring that they progress in accordance with the Solidarités International Charter and Code of Ethics and Conduct and comply with internal and contractual regulations. S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources. S/He oversees the overall coordination of the teams and operations. S/He is the direct liaison for Solidarités International HQ.
FONCTIONS Programme Development:
  • Guide the development of the annual Strategic Programming document according to the security context, the humanitarian situation analysis, and the capacity of the organization
    • Ensure all programmes fall within the framework of the Strategic Programming document
    • Coordinate programme activities with national authorities, UN agencies, and other international organizations
    • Provide guidance on programme development; review draft concepts and proposal documents for field validation before submission to HQ
    • Develop and maintain contact with INGOs, donors, UN agencies and local authorities
    Programme Quality Management:
  • Ensure high-quality implementation of projects within specific time frames
    • Ensure optimal use of financial, human and logistics resources
    • Ensure the preparation of regular reports for HQ, donor agencies and partners
    • Oversee the management of grants and assure timely grant reporting that clearly addresses the stated goals and objectives and relates expenditure to activities
    • Ensure that all accounting and financial reporting requirements are respected
    • Facilitate all audits and follow up on all audit recommendations
    Representation, Coordination and Donor Relations:
  • Responsible for fundraising for all future programmes in South Sudan
    • Represent SI and participate in the NGO Forum, humanitarian coordination forums, relevant Clusters, donor meetings, etc.
    • Maintain close relationships with donor representatives, sharing information and ensuring SI’s priorities and strategy are well known
    Communication and Capacity-Building:
  • Ensure that proper channels of communication are maintained and respected inside the mission and between the mission and HQ
    • Provide regular and detailed reports to HQ on all key security, programmatic, country, staff and humanitarian issues in the form of weekly and monthly reporting packages
    • Develop, maintain and distribute regular programme brochures, informational flyers, thematic reports, programme fact sheets, etc. to key stakeholders in South Sudan
    Human Resource Management:
  • Provide leadership, promote professional working relationships, and encourage staff
    • Lead the country coordination team through regular coordination meetings, ensure strong technical support, and supervise proposal/report drafts
    • Participate in the selection of new staff in collaboration with HQ
    • Conduct and monitor regular staff evaluations, follow-ups, job description updates, and standard procedures for interviews and applicant selection
    • Conduct briefings and debriefings with incoming and outgoing staff
    • Oversee the planning and implementation of internal training initiatives
    • Identify and resolve staff conflicts and concerns in a timely manner
    • Ensure that all personnel adhere to Code of Conduct
    Security:
    In collaboration with Field Coordinators and Logistics Coordinator, the HoM has the overall responsibility for the safety and security of all SI personnel employed in the country.
    • Cooperate with the UN and any other relevant agencies/partners to gather and analyse updated information on security issues
    • Ensure the development of a relevant security information network across the country
    • Develop and implement security policies
    • Conduct regular discussions to identify and determine approaches to address staff stress levels and sense of personal security
PROFIL Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, political science, international organization management or project management
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience developing and managing sustainable relief programmes (conflict and post-conflict settings), with specific skills in strategic planning, assessment, programme design and development, and monitoring and evaluation
  • Proven experience working in countries in political transition and insecure environments
  • Significant knowledge and experience of grant writing and management for major institutional donors and pooled funding mechanisms, such as CHF
  • Ability, acquired through experience, to professionally and appropriately represent the organization, negotiate and defend SI’s interests
  • Significant experience of building and supervising large and culturally diverse teams of expatriate and national staff - Leadership
  • Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills
  • Fluent English (written, spoken and read)
  • Good knowledge of French would be appreciated
STATUT Salaried post: from 2100 euros gross salary 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 500 USD will be provided to cover food and personal 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 anti-malarial 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.
DUREE DE LA MISSION 9 months from January 2013 (possible extension)
How to apply:
Please send us your CV and a cover letter through our website :