Country: Turkey
Closing date: 20 May 2016
Posted on: 25/03/2016
Desired start date: 22/05/2016
Duration of the mission: 6 months minimum
Location: Position based in Gaziantep / turkey
Humanitarian situation / SI intervention
In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, in December 2012, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL initially decided to launch a livelihoods/food security program to support the most vulnerable population in northern Syria. Solidarités International has then been assisting displaced and local populations in Aleppo Governorate which were virtually deprived of income sources at a time when their savings and their coping mechanisms were slowly getting exhausted, and when basic commodities have become unaffordable. Following the massive population movement end of January 2016 regarding the power shift in Aleppo country side and the cut off of supply routes from there to the north, SI has found funding to provide emergency cash and resettlement NFIs kits for 1200 households through partnership with a local organization. End of February 2016 a cease fire started agreed by the main parties. However it has been not respected by all of them even though the intensity and frequency of the shelling are substantially lower. Main conflict areas switched from Azaz Governorate to Alepo countryside, and ISIS controlled zones in general. By mid-March 2016, Russia announced a withdrawal effective immediately following conversations with USA, nevertheless, there are still ground forces and several air forces left in Syria. This both last events had helped nonetheless to improve the situation in our area of intervention making easy for our teams to resume activities.
In Turkey, the security situation is been becoming more and more volatile, with several attacks in key cities and toward specific targets. Regarding the humanitarian situation, refugees’ needs are supposed to be entirely covered by the Turkish Red Crescent and the registration of most of INGOs is still in process. Nevertheless INGOs working exclusively in cross border remote control, such as Solidarites International, are tolerated, their registration process being in process.
About the mission:
Organization of the mission
The SI mission is based in Gaziantep (where the HoM is based) with an additional office in Kilis.
In addition to the HoM, the mission is composed of 3 international staff (1 Program Coordinator, 1 Humanitarian Access Adviser and 1 Log/Admin Coo) and 25 national staff in Turkey and in Syria in March 2016..
About the job:
The Head of Mission is the official representative of SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL in Turkey and Syria. S/he is in charge of the smooth running of the mission, proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context changes, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated. The HoM monitors projects, ensuring that they 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 is responsible for the safety and security of all staff and assets on the mission. The HoM oversees the overall coordination of the teams and operations and is the direct liaison for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL HQ.
The Head of Mission has a key role in developing the network with the other actors present and with the donors as well as developing SI strategy in the area. One of the main challenges of the context is to ensure the quality of the programs in an extremely volatile security context and in remote control, while staying in line with SI’s values and mandate.
Specific tasks of the position:
· To develop and improve the remote management processes
· To identified, assess and develop partnerships with local NGOs
· To develop/maintain donor network and seize funding opportunities
· To follow up and analyze the geopolitical context
· To motivate and support both expatriate and national teams
Key priorities:
· To coordinate the development of an intervention strategy for the coming months based on needs and access issues, and on the experience of the current activities and identified needs.
· To monitor the development of the mission based on the findings of the humanitarian needs assessments
· To maintain good relationships with potential donors, UNOCHA, NGO forum, partners, etc.
· To develop further potential local partnerships
· To follow the issue of the registration with the Turkish authorities in close collaboration with the legal services in Ankara and the Admin coordinator.
· To support the Humanitarian Access Advisor in the development of a safety information network and in his relationships with the Syrian civil authorities and armed groups.
· To pursue discussions with donors to ensure the funding of the mission.
Your profile
· Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, political science, organization / project management or other relevant field
· 5 years of professional humanitarian experience, including at least 2 missions in a complex and volatile context ; minimum of 2 years of experience as HoM/Country Director, Program coordinator or equivalent,
· Proven experience in conflict contexts and insecure environments, with consequent experience in supporting emergency response
Technical skills and knowledge:
· Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills
· High management abilities and capacities to provide distance technical support
· Significant knowledge and experience of grant writing and management for major institutional donors, including: ECHO, DFID, UN Agencies, etc.
· Ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend SI’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, departments and ministries, civil society organizations, and other international organizations
· Capacity to work in complex and volatile environments ; good stress management
· Diplomacy, autonomy, perseverance and creativity
· Strong interest in the Syrian crisis and in the Middle east context
· Cultural awareness and capacity to respect local customs
Languages:
Fluent English: speaking, reading and writing skills
Arabic is an asset
We offer
A salaried post: according to your experience from 2300 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD.
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 costs are refunded.
Break: 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 7-day 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 14-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).
For further information about SI, please consult our website: http://www.solidarites.org/en/
How to apply:
Application process
Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.
NB : The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension
