Back Libya - A Head of Mission based in Tunis

Starting date : November 2020

Duration of Mission: 12 months

Location: Tunis, Tunisia

Due to the security context, the majority of the humanitarian intervention in Libya are being managed remotely from Tunis.

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. The association leads on average 200 projects per year in the following sectors of intervention: food security, health, nutrition, construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures, water, sanitation, hygiene and economic recovery. PUI is providing assistance to around 7 million people in 21 countries – in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. PUI Libya mission started implementing operations in East (Benghazi and Alkufra) of Libya in 2017. The organization develop a lifesaving response that provides primary health care services to the most vulnerable population (internal displaced populations and their host communities, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers) combined with an integrated basic needs response to address the overall health situation of the PoC in detention centers and in urban settings.

Find out about our history and values.

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND NEEDS

Libya, a mostly desert and oil-rich country with an ancient history, has more recently been known for the 42-year rule of the mercurial Colonel Muammar Gaddafi - and the chaos that has followed his departure (BBC, 2019). The country has splintered, and since 2014 has been divided into competing political and military factions based in Tripoli and the east. Among the key leaders are Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, head of the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli, Khalifa Haftar; leader of the Libyan National Army, which controls much of eastern Libya; Aghila Saleh, speaker of the House of Representatives based in the eastern city of Tobruk; and Khaled Mishri, the elected head of the High State Council in Tripoli.

Humanitarian consequences:

In 2020, the humanitarian situation in Libya is increasingly complex. The protracted nature of the conflict severely impacts on people’s wellbeing and livelihoods. Political stalemate has resulted in a governance vacuum, and coupled with widespread violence and insecurity, including direct attacks on public infrastructures, including health care infrastructures, and have disrupted the economy and public service delivery across the country. Furthermore, spikes in violence, such as the escalation of conflict in Tripoli since April 2019 and clashes in Murzuq in August 2019, have resulted in increased civilian casualties and further displacement (HNO, 2020).

Across the country, over 301,000 Libyans remain displaced, including 128,000 people due to the Tripoli conflict, reversing the declining trend in displacement. As displacement has increased, so has the number of Libyans who are returning to their homes, around 447,000 people. Living conditions, including access to clean drinking water (36% of HHs report limited access to sufficient water), medical services (22% of PHFs are closed, 33% of PHFs lack of essential medicines), and safe housing (around 4,000 IDPs are in need of shelter) have all degraded due to the protracted situation in the country, particularly for women and children (HNO, 2020).

Despite the crisis, Libya remains an attractive destination for migrant workers due to an economy that relies on foreign labour, higher salaries and historical ties, as well as being a transitory route for people seeking opportunities or asylum in Europe. An estimated 655,000 refugees and migrants are in Libya, including 48,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers. However, refugees and migrants continue to be exposed to protection risks, human rights violations, exploitation and abuse (HNO, 2020).

OUR ACTION ON THE FIELD

PUI Libya mission started implementing operations in East of Libya in 2017. The organization has developed a lifesaving response that provides primary health care services to the most vulnerable population (internal displaced populations and their host communities, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers) combined with an integrated basic needs response to address the overall health situation of the PoC in detention centres and in urban settings. As a result, after three years of experience, PUI is now positioning as a significant actor targeting all groups of population in various settings in all eastern Libya. Its constant and solid field presence enables the organization to develop strong relationships with key stakeholders (authorities, local community leaders and local and international NGOs), as well as acceptance in reference to the activities implementation. In 2020, 2 Mobile Health Teams are deployed in Kufra and 1 in Detention Centers in Eastern Libya. PUI is implementing an integrated approach, with Protection and MHPSS specialist embedded in each MHT. Additionally, PUI is working on the reinforcement of the health system through training and capacity building project for health professionals, and the rehabilitation of health facilities. To date, the mission is implementing 4 projects funding by AICS, EU, ECHO/SDC and UNHCR.

• Title: Libya Equal Access and Development for Recovery: enhancing access to health services (AICS) in Al Kufra and Benghazi
• Title: Life-saving assistance to PoC in detention centres and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in East of Libya (UNHCR) in Benghazi
• Title: Evidence based NCD Care: A Model for PHC in Libya (EU) in Benghazi
• Title: Enhance protection environment and access to essential services for conflict-affected communities in southern Libya. (ECHO / SDC) in Al Kufra

Click here for more information about our response to the crisis

As part of our activities in Libya, we are looking for a A Head of Mission based in Tunis.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The Head of Mission is responsible for the smooth functioning and the development of the mission.

• Safety & Security: S/he is responsible for the safety & security of the mission.
• Programmes: S/he coordinates the teams and ensures that the programmes implemented on the mission are properly carried out. S/he also monitors needs and suggests new operations and development tracks for the mission.
• Human Resources: S/he ensures the consistency of the organizational chart of the mission and supervises the teams (defining objectives, follow-up).
• Logistical, administrative and financial monitoring: S/he ensures, in collaboration with the HQ, that logistical and administrative practices in place respect PUI procedures and formats and are in compliance with donors’ rules and regulations.
• Representation: S/he represents the association in its relations with partners, donors,the media and different authorities.
• Relations with Headquarters: S/he ensures that information is properly circulated between Headquarters and the field and ensures that due dates are respected.

TASKS AND RESPONSABILITIES

ENSURING THE SAFETY & SECURITY OF PEOPLE & GOODS

• S/he ensures the PUI’s safety & security management procedures and formats are in place throughout the mission.
• S/he ensures that safety & security plans for each base and the mission are up-to-date, known to and understood by everyone (expatriates and nationals).
• S/he ensures that material and personnel resources are sufficient to ensure the optimal safety of the teams, the material and the beneficiaries.
• S/he ensures that in case of a security incident, the information concerning the incident is communicated, without delay, to the HQ
• S/he ensures that safety & security information is properly collected, analysed and that alerts or important information is effectively communicated (to the Headquarters and the field).
• S/he has security plans validated by the Desk Officier and consults him/her for any decision concerning security

ENSURING PROGRAMMES ARE PROPERLY CARRIED OUT AND SUGGESTING NEW OPERATIONS

• S/he ensures that programmes are properly carried out (targets, monitoring of indicators, respect of activity schedules, budgetary follow-up and contractual reports, etc).
• S/he alerts the Desk Manager in cases of delay in a programme and suggests changes necessary readjustement in programming.
• S/he establishes a formal coordination system at coordination level (inter-departmental meetings, reports, etc.) and ensures that this coordination system is implemented.
• S/he design operational strategie in collaboration with the Deputy HOMP and Desk manager.
• In collaboration with the deputy HOMP, (s)he design new project proposals in accordance with the mission strategy. These proposal should be validated by the HQ before submission to the donors.
• When new operations are outlined, S/he ensures that operational means are well defined in order to allow for the programme and its subsequent monitoring to be well carried out.
• S/he initiates, organizes and ensures that the mission strategy is prepared, in coordination with coordination and base team as well as with the Headquarters.
• S/he ensures that departmental action plans are effectively carried out and monitored and are on track to achieve the results defined within the framework of the mission programming.

SUPERVISING LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PERSONNEL TEAMS ON THE MISSION

• S/he supervises all local and international teams on the mission.
• S/he validate the mission organization chart at mission level and submits it for validation to the Desk Officier.
• S/he may be involved in the recruitment process of the members of his/her team. S/he is informed of every decision to end an employment contract.
• S/he defines the objectives the staff he directly supervises, follow their achievement regularly and particularly at the end of their mission.
• S/he ensures that each member of staff (local and international) is evaluated at least once during the mission by his/her direct superior.
• S/he briefs each new member of the coordination team at the beginning of the mission and make sure that necessary briefing is provided to any new staff in the mission.
• S/he participates in the training of expatriate or local staff (organizational, methodological and potentially technical support, organization of trainings, etc) and recommends internal or external training actions.
• S/he participate in the elaboration/revision of the job descriptions of expatriates based on the standard provided by the HQ .(S)he provide the tailorized JD to the HQ.
• S/he monitors and authorizes the holidays of the expatriates.
• (S)he mediates potential conflicts and seeking appropriate support in case of an incident.
• S/he ensures PUI’s Internal Regulations are respected.
• S/he protects PUI’s image in the country and thus makes sure the entirety of the staff behaves in a way which is in compliance with the values maintained by the organization and is respectful of the local culture.

ENSURING THE LOGISTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MONITORING OF THE MISSION

• (S)he supervise the logistic and finance-administration coordinators
• S/he gives validation to the purchases according to the established treshold.
• S/he ensures that the PUI’s logistical procedures (or those of the donor if they are stricter) are in place.
• S/he ensures that a procurement plan (which respects the PUI’s and the donor’s format and rules) is prepared.
• S/he ensure that the infrastructure and the entirety of the equipment on the mission (vehicles, IT equipment, office equipment, radio-communication and telecommunication equipment) are properlly managed by the logistic department.
• S/he ensures that the PUI’s administrative procedures (finance, HR, etc.) are in place and monitored.
• S/he is responsible for general cost optimization and supervise, in collaboartion with the CAF, the financial management of the mission (transfer requests, mission fees and payment of suppliers).
• S/he ensures that the mission’s accounting is sent to the Headquarters within the agreed timeframe.
• S/he ensures that the administration produces budget follow-ups for each project, that these follow-ups are made available and analyzed with the logistics department, program managers and technical managers.
• S/he make sure that Headquarters is informed of donors’ transfers which are received on the field.
• S/he ensures that PUI respects national law (right to work, taxes, etc).
• S/he ensures that PUI is registered in the country of operation.

ENSURING THE REPRESENTATION OF PUI

• S/he represents the association at mission level before donors, NGOs, International Organizations and local authorities, with the support of the DHOM program and the DHOM Access in Libya.
• S/he participates in important coordination meetings and is an active attendee of these meetings.
• S/he is responsible for external communication in general and for contacts with the media.

ENSURING THE SUPERVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MISSION

• S/he keeps his/herself informed of changes in the humanitarian and political context of the country and the region.
• S/he participates in the development of the mission by securing close contact with bilateral and multilateral donors.
• S/he communicates the Mission Strategy (in external version) to the donors so that they know PUI’s activities and positioning.
• S/he is responsible for the development of the mission. Thus, S/he ensures humanitarian supervision and launches new assessments in accordance with needs.
• S/he may be called for ad-hoc support in the region.

ENSURING RELATIONS WITH THE HEADQUARTERS

• S/he is the main link between the Headquarters and the mission.
• S/he sends internal and external reports to the Headquarters, respecting internal validation timeframes (sitrep, accident report) and external contractual due dates (project reports).
• S/he ensures information from the Headquarters is circulated on the field and vice versa (monthly and ad-hoc sitrep).
• S/he participates annually to the Missions’ Week at the Headquarters, where s/he makes improvements and development suggestions for PUI.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCES

Training: Security management

Experience

• 3 years of humanitarian experience in project coordination.
• Successful experience in expatriate team management and multi-sector programmes.

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent writing skills
• Team management
• Project management
• Detailed knowledge of the donors (ECHO, UN agencies, EuropeAid…)
  Languages: French - English - Arabic desirable

Required Personal Characteristics

• Leadership skills and the ability to make decisions
• Trustworthiness and a sense of responsibility
• Charisma and the ability to awake enthusiasm for the work the project involves
• Ability to use authority, when necessary
• Analysis and synthesis abilities (discenrment, pragmatism)
• Ability to adapt
• Organisational skills, ability to be thorough and respect due dates
• Strong listening and negotiation skills
• Good people and communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and level-headed
• General ability to resist stress and particularly in unstable circumstances

PROPOSED TERMS

• Employed with a Fixed-Term Contract
• Starting Date: 15 november 2020
• Monthly Gross Income: from 2 640 up to 2 970 Euros depending on the experience in International Solidarity + 50 Euros per semester seniority with PUI
• Cost Covered Round-trip transportation to and from home / mission, visas, vaccines…
• Insurance including medical coverage and complementary healthcare, 24/24 assistance and repatriation
• Housing collective or private accommodation in Tunis
• Daily Living Expenses « Per diem »
• Break Policy : 5 working days at 3 and 9 months
• Paid Leaves Policy : 5 weeks of paid leaves per year + return ticket every 6 months

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