Desired start date: 20/01/2025
Duration of the mission: 3 months
Location: Kharkiv
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 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 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
Since the beginning of the “full scale invasion” of Ukraine by Russian Forces, SI has been responding to the needs of the population in the territories under the control of the Governement of Ukraine. While the programming was rightly very much geared towards immediate emergency response in 2022 and 2023, 2024 was a transitional year towards a more emergency and recovery balanced programming , In 2025 SI programmatic strategic will revolve around 2 axis, axis 1 being about responding to both acute and chronic emergencies and axis 2 being about contributing to create conducive conditions for safe and dignified stay and return in stabilized areas (in support to local authorities for them to be able to deliver a better WASH public service). SI in Ukraine works in the sectors of WASH and SHELTER and promote an integrated approach whenever feasible and relevant. SI is also committed to transfer a portion of their activities to local partners. In 2025 the set-up will be comprised of (r oughly) 105 staffs, including 20 expatriates. The activities are implemented in 6 oblasts in the south and the east of Ukraine, and coordinated through 3 field bases in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mikolaiv. The coordination office is located in Kyiv. Donors in 2025 will be BHA, CDCS, AFD, ECHO (and likely SDC).
General objective:
The Program manager is responsible for supporting and oversee his/her team in implementing and achieving the objectives defined in the proposals.
The Program Manager is responsible for capacity building of his/her team.
The Program manager is responsible of monitoring the quality of implementation, to guarantee the proper execution and the quality of the implemented program and, if applicable, suggests adjustments or developments to ensure its relevance.
The Program manager ensures the quality and timely updating of SI internal monitoring and communication tools including APU, OFU, Procurement tools, reporting tools
The Program Manager will ensure effectiveness and transparent of SI resources utilization.
The main challenges:
Kharkivska oblast’s security context creates challenges in conducting implementation of programs.
Humanitarian context is challenging due to the high level of needs, specificity of needs, and coordination between actors.
Internal challenges of re-organization and transition to a new set-up are adressed together by the PM and coordinators.
Delays in implementation have to be targeted toward successful and efficient operational activities.
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
1/ Monitor and finalise WaSH and Shelter activities related to 3 ongoing projects (BHA, ECHO)
2/ Start 1 WaSH and Shelter project (CDCS)
3/ Capacity building of the team in light of SI tools and procedures. Participate to a transition plan toward a new program team structure
4/ Contribute to SI program strategy in East Ukraine, including assessments and ad hoc emergency responses
Security constraints:
Security is evolving in Kharkiv. In May 2024 a sudden deterioration of the security context occurred with a breakthrough of the Russian Army in the North and the East of Kharkivska oblast, leading to intense fighting in these areas and to numerous episodes of shelling on the city of Kharkiv. Since July, the situation has stabilized, and the numbers of attacks against the city of Kharkiv has decreased. Nevertheless, air alarms are still very frequent and can last for hours, imposing a high level of stress to people living there. SI security rules and set-up is a very effective protection against the effects of the attacks. For example, the neighborhood where SI’s premises are located was very rarely targeted since the beginning of the full scale invasion.
As of December 2024, punctual lockdown or shelter occur during day/night time. Curfew at 22h30 in the Guest houses’ area; curfew at 21h30 in the city center. Noise of explosions can be heard. Other security rules apply according to the context changes.
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 700.
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 three 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:
In the residential area where SI’s premises are located for security reasons (15 minutes to city center in metro) there is possibility to walk outside, a few local restaurants, some grocery shops, some shopping stores, and basic sports facilities (gym). ATM are easily accessible and daily expenses can be paid with credit card. The office is located 10 to 20 minutes walk from the guest houses. Guest houses are above Kharkiv standard and comfortable. Internet is accessible everywhere but both internet and power limited interruptions are likely, due to recent attacks on energy infrastructures.
Despite the tense security situation, Kharkiv’s city center offers a range of activities, bars, clubs, restaurants. A mapping of bars and restaurants located near shelters or metro stations allow for expatriates to enjoy a social life, within the limit of a strict early curfew. Overnights are forbidden in the city center.
Movement between the area where SI’s premises are located and the city center are possible through the subway; and personal movements in the city are feasible though walking, and subway options, within a strict limited area.
Education / academic background:
Water management/environmental project management studies
Specific skills and experience:
EXPERIMENT IN THE HUMANITARIAN SECTOR : 3-4 years
EXPERIMENT ON SIMILAR POSITIONS : 3-4 years
TECHNICAL SKILLS
1. Program management (program, financial, administrative and logistic follow-up of multiple projects under multiple sectors)
2. Technical knowledge and skills on WASH activities (water supply systems rehabilitation, water treatment methods, water trucking etc.) and Shelter activities (shelter repairs at household level and institutional level),
3. Technical knowledge of basic shelter activities
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
1. Communication skills to ensure the good collaboration with other departments as well as with other stakeholders.
2. Management skills to supervise the national team and build their capacity. 3. Organisation of the work (planning, anticipation, communication, tasks division etc..)
Language:
1. English
2.Ukrainian / Russian an asset
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) est déterminé à prévenir et à combattre tout type d’abus – tout acte d’exploitation, d’abus et/ou de harcèlement sexuels (SEAH) à l’encontre des membres des communautés bénéficiaires ou de ses collaborateurs et collaboratrices, atteinte aux personnes et/ou aux biens, fraude, corruption, conflit d’intérêt non déclaré, financement d’activités portant atteinte aux droits de l’homme – qui pourrait être perpétré dans le cadre de ses interventions. SI applique une tolérance zéro à l’égard de tout type d’abus, particulièrement des actes de SEAH.
Solidarités International est un employeur équitable qui combat toute forme de discrimination. SI ne demandera jamais une rétribution quelconque en vue de participer à un processus de recrutement.
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.