Desired start date: 01/10/23
Duration of the mission: 6 months, potentially renewable
Location: Yangon (or remote work)
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 – 2500 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.
SI has been in Myanmar since 2008, first responding to the devastating Nargis Cyclone. In 2011 and 2012, SI expanded to new regions focusing on Livelihoods, Food Security, Shelter, and WASH.
SI is currently mainly operating in Rakhine and in Kachin States with outreach emergency capacities through its local partners in Chin, Sagaing and Magway States. The operations are supported by the Coordination team based in Yangon.
While continuing to support the vulnerable communities suffering from a long-term protracted crisis, SI is also developing a stronger and more responsive Emergency component, either directly or through local partners, to tackle the growing needs spreading across the country.
In 2023, 14 international staff and 304 national staff are working with SI Myanmar to implement projects focusing on Wash, FSL and Emergency response. Projects are ranging from immediate life-saving response (water scarcity in Rakhine, Emergency response to new displacements etc.) to the search for more sustainable solutions to protracted crisis (handover to communities and local organizations, capacity-building, community empowerment etc.) Projects are currently funded by FCDO, ECHO, CIAA, CDCS, AFD and UN agencies with potential for development in terms of geographical coverage and activities’ scope to address emerging needs. In 2022, the mission budget reached 7 million euros and a similar funding level is expected in 2023.
To learn more about the Myanmar mission, please click here.
The RCO produces and synthesizes high quality reports and documents distributed internally within the mission or externally. He/she coordinates the bases and partners inputs in a timely manner. Under supervision of the Grants Manager and the Country Director, the RCO leads the mission communication efforts.
Specific stakes and challenges:
Other major and related challenges:
Major access challenges making it unlikely for the expatriate to reach Myanmar and the position is expected to be held fully remotely, at least for up to 6 months. In such a context, the Grant Manager plays a key role in ensuring that the coordination between all departments to guarantee SI’s accountability. Local partner’s follow-up: increased need in terms of capacity building, training, monitoring.
Priorities for the first 2/3 months:
Capacity building of field staff and partners in terms of reporting, accountability tools and donors’ procedures. Support the development of planned concept notes and proposals. Maintain communication efforts to raise the Myanmar crisis profile and SI positioning in the country.Education:
Bachelor or master’s degree in Humanitarian/International relations, social sciences, Business School, Political Sciences.
Experience:
Minimum a first experience working for an international INGO at a program assistant level. Experience drafting donor reports. Experience in developing concept notes and strategy papers. Experience with SI is an asset.Skills:
Good knowledge of humanitarian donors’ policies and guidelines. Good knowledge of the humanitarian project cycle management. Good knowledge of principled-based approaches and advocacy skills. Excellent communication skills. Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, ability to multi-task. Excellent reporting and writing skills. Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members. Good stress management. Important flexibility. OK to work in political and security volatile environment. Pack MS Office, excel included. Proactive, takes initiatives. Willingness to learn, to improve, curiosity.
Languages:
Bilingual in English and capacity to work with non-native English speakers. Burmese or French are a plusOther desirable qualities: Leadership and management / coordination with partners / planning and prioritization / flexibility / capacity to work under stress / solution making oriented / Team player / Transparency.
A salaried position (volunteer contract)
According to experience, starting from EUR 880 gross per month (base salary EUR 800 + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) + a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.
SI 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 3 months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with USD 850 allocated by SI). In addition to these, SI adds 1 additional rest day per month of work, i.e. 12 additional days off for a one-year contract.
Insurance package:
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package, which covers 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:
The RCO lives in a shared guesthouse with the other international colleagues in Yangon or in Bangkok (due to the difficulty to get visas to enter Myanmar).
Please note that the current political situation and security context is very volatile, but SI monitors it daily, in order to ensure the security of all staff.
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 Apply