Beginning of contract : 05/12/2024
Duration : 6 weeks
Localisation : Gaza
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.
In response to the attacks of 7 October 2023, the Israeli army launched a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip, beginning with a campaign of air strikes followed by a series of ground offensives that successively hit all the enclave's governorates. The intensity of the fighting, repeated strikes and successive evacuation orders have forced more than 1.7 million people to move, sometimes several times, to sites less directly affected by the fighting. The first displacements towards the south of Gaza, and more particularly the governorate of Rafah where 1.7 million Palestinians were displaced in April 2024, were followed by the displacement of more than 1 million people towards the central part of the Gaza Strip when the offensive on Rafah was launched in May 2024.
Displaced people are living in schools, organised sites and informal sites where it is more difficult to organise assistance. The destruction by the fighting of vital infrastructure, such as health facilities, water and electricity supplies, schools and other public services, is having a major impact on the displaced and host populations.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL teams have been working in Gaza since February 2024. Activities are currently being developed in the governorate of Deir el-Balah, in the centre of the Gaza Strip, where a base was opened in March.
SI teams are implementing WASH activities, which include the installation and rehabilitation of water desalination plants to ensure the production of drinking water, the transport of water to displacement sites by tanker truck, and activities aimed at reducing health risks and improving the living conditions of displaced people through hygiene promotion sessions and the distribution of hygiene kits.
General objective:
The Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director (CD) for a region of a country in which Solidarités International intervenes.
He/she proposes a regional strategy according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once validated.
He/she checks and ensures that projects are carried out in accordance with the Solidarités International charter, respecting all internal and contractual procedures
He/she mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for programs to run smoothly, and supervises resource management.
He/she coordinates the teams in place and is responsible for their security in his/her assigned zone.
He/she is the He Country Director’s direct contact and representative.
Issues and specific challenges
Ability to work and lead a team in conditions of insecurity, high stress and difficult living conditions
Substantial experience of working in conflict zones, involving team management and high levels of insecurity
Responsibilities and main activities:
- Coordination and strategic orientation.
- Relevance and operational quality / operation monitoring.
- Resource management.
- Human resource management.
- Security.
- Financial backer relations / search for funding.
- Internal and external communication.
- Representation.
Security constraints :
Security constraints are very high in Gaza, with a context marked by high-intensity military activities including air strikes, land and naval bombardments, as well as risks associated with medium and light infantry weapons. Social tensions are also very high, linked to the war, difficult living conditions and the collapse of economic activity, leading to looting, inter-family dispute as well as criminal acts.
Education / academic background:
Education background in logistics, transport, warehousing, IT, supply chain, management…
At least 3-4 years experiment in the humanitarian sector. A first experience on similar position would be appreciated.
Specific skills and experience:
Technical skills
1. Strong knowledge in team management and mentoring.
2. Capacity to deal with many different issues, to self- update and learn very quickly from a highly and constantly evolving environment.
3. Ability to manage and prioritize a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
4. Good representational skills, Ability to liaise, INGOs, other agencies, authorities and donors.
5. A good understanding of security management.
6. A good understanding of humanitarian issues including IDPs, camp management protection, advocacy.
7. Ability to write/edit quality reports in English.
Transversal skills
1. Ability to work in multi-cultural environment; more generally, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and strong cultural sensitivity.
2. Willingness to work in a volatile security context.
3. Ability to take initiatives, decisions and work in autonomy is essential.
4. Good problem-solving skills in day to day and crisis situations.
5. Important flexibility and adaptability.
6. Experience working with SI (or a similar organization) is an asset
7. Prior experience in South Sudan would be considered as an asset
Language:
Fluent in English, written and spoken. Arabic is a strong asset.
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750.
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:
The Field Coordinator is based in Deir-el-Balah, where Solidarités International has its office and guesthouse. Living conditions are very harsh in Gaza, due to the persistence of the conflict and the restrictions associated with it, major disruptions to basic services (water, electricity, health, etc.) leading to high health risks, and the lack of basic products (hygiene, foodstuffs, etc.). This creates a difficult working environment and a high level of stress, with limited opportunities to relax.
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.