Desired start date: ASAP
Duration of the mission: 7 months
Location: Nimroz, Afghanistan
ABOUT US
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI’s interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in some twenty countries, the SI teams – 3000 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.
ABOUT THE MISSION
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has resumed its programs in Afghanistan in December 2021 and has initially established a presence in Bamyan, Kapisa, Wardak and Kabul provinces. Following exploratory missions in the South West, a new base was opened in Nimroz province early 2023, covering operations in both Nimroz and Farah provinces.
Following a scale up over the course of 2023, the team is now made of 125 employees (9 international employees) with an annual budget of 3,4M EUR. SI currently implements integrated FSL and WASH programs and aims at scaling them up in 2024. The focus is on anticipating and responding to shocks, including natural disasters and epidemics outbreaks (Cholera). SI also aims at building community resilience, reinforcing access to WASH services and infrastructure, while developing livelihoods in rural areas.
In 2024, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL intends to maintain its operations in Bamyan, Nimroz, Farah and Kabul provinces, aiming at addressing the most vulnerable and shock-affected households in remote districts, shifting to longer term programming, linking basic needs and resilience strengthening. With the recent influx of Afghans returnees from Pakistan, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL will be delivering support at destination point, mainly in Kabul province. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL will also continue to provide comprehensive solutions for WASH, FSL and winter assistance, working on covering immediate needs while strengthening the communities’ resilience.
ABOUT THE JOB
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The program manager is in charge of implementing and achieving the objectives defined in the proposals.
He/she is in charge of supervising the operational teams allocated to his/her program.
He/she guarantees the proper execution and the quality of the implemented program and, if applicable, suggests adjustments or developments to ensure its relevance.
The Program Manager will manage the program team in his respective base. S/he will be under the direct management of the Field Coordinator of the base, and under the functional management of the Program Coordinator.
Main responsibilities :
- Implementation and operational monitoring.
- Project relevance, quality, and design
- Personnel management.
- Reporting / communication / representation.
PRIORITIES
- To prioritize the steps to finish the implementation of the current BHA, (6 water networks, 180 latrines, 3 solar networks, HP, 30 dugwells)
- To be ready for the potential BHA top up
- To finish CDCS (for which remaining activities are clearly identified: reinforcement of a check dam and retaining walls on some irrigation canals – to be done through contractors)
- Launch the ECHO assessment – until now, authorization of assessment was not grated by authorities, so big delay for a project signed end of 2023…
- Some activities are already identified to be shifted from the current CDC and current BHA to the ECHO
SI open a base in Zaranj, capital of Nimroz province during the first quarter of 2023 in order to implement 2 projects : 1 BHA (IN Nimroz) and 1 CDC (in Farah, the neighbouring province – 6 hours by the road to reach the implementation area), in an areas newly accessible further to the take over of the Taliban. This area was without any international NGOs presence during the 20 years of presence of US coalition in country.
Today, only IOM RI and SI have a presence in Nimroz and SI is the only one having permanent presence of expatriate.
Despite a volatile context in city (well controlled by the Taliban but potentially targeted by ISKP) the access to the field is possible for national and expats.
The context is characterized globally by an increasing scarcity of water and exodus of local population in some villages due to the lack of water availability and economic opportunities.
Despite difficult starting with critical issues in terms of staffing, the team has launched the main activities of BHA and CDCS.
Additionally, SI get funding from ECHO for wash activities in Nimroz and Farah and the probability of getting a top op with BHA is significant.
YOUR PROFILE
DIPLOMAS
Master Degree in humanitarian/development studies, social sciences, management or other related discipline.
EXPERIMENT
- 3-4 years in the humanitarian sector
- A first experience on a similar position
TECHNICAL & TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a similar position.
- Experience on security management in complex environment.
- Experience in humanitarian / context analysis.
- Experience in HR management.
- Proven experience in external representation in sensitive environment.
- Negotiation and diplomatic skills.
- Mastering of project cycle management.
- Training and capacity building skills.
- Proven management ability, including ability to motivate and develop skills of team’s members. Must be able to make sound management decisions in difficult situations and also be able to work in a participatory manner with colleagues.
- Excellent communication, networking skills, organizational and prioritization skills, ability to multi-task
- Capacity to adapt and show organizational flexibility
- Cross cultural sensitivity and great team player
- Proven ability to develop adapted humanitarian vision and strategy
- Capacity to engage and manage technical staff and curiosity towards their expertise
- Experience working with SI (or a similar organization) is an asset
- Prior experience in Afghanistan would be considered as an asset
We need someone able to:
- prioritize implementation of activities at field level with good management skills and patience (the team is motivated and skilled but need clear guidance and strong / adapted leadership so far)
- update the SI tools follow up in coordination with log and finance dept
- work in coordination with the FSL PM – no formal sectorial integration so far, but need to share datas more formally
- follow the planned geo-physical survey
LANGUAGES
English compulsory, knowledge of a local language would be an asset (Dari or Pashto).
SI WILL OFFER YOU
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 2310 gross per month (2100 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 600.
SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every two months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.
Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds 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.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
Living conditions are quite reasonable in Kabul, with possible access to all essential goods and services. It should be remembered that the consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Afghanistan. The security situation can be tense, and travel is sometimes restricted, but it is possible to have a social life.
The program manager is based in Zaranj (capital of Nimroz province) with harsh living conditions including regular interent cuts, extreme temperatures (up to 50°C) and sandstorms, but also social isolation as no other NGO has any expat based in Zaranj at this time. The closest big city is Herat (8h drive away) where there is a significant expat presence.
During the winter, outings to the dunes can be possible (based on security situation) but in the summer the weather does not usually permit much outdoor activity.
SECURITY:
The security environment in Afghanistan remains tense, dynamic and volatile. While the risks associated with the conflict between the government and the armed opposition have disappeared with the victory of the opposition, third party armed groups (notably ISKP) continue to operate in certain provinces including Kabul and the possibility of the emergence of a new opposition cannot be ignored. On the other hand, the country has always witnessed a certain level of criminality, and among other threads, kidnapping, targeting nationals and expatriates have been regularly reported in the last decades.
Therefore, Security management, will represent a significant part of the work / responsibilities of the FC, especially in this mission opening phase where only the main secuirty documents have been prepared but many annexe policies (communication and movement, contact lists…) need to be elaborated. The volatility of the situation both internally but also with neighbouring countries (Pakistan and Iran) also increases the time to be spent on security management.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!
Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.
Thank you for your understanding.
To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org
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Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH.
Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.