Posted on: 13/04/16
Desired start date: 1st of June 2016
Duration of the mission: 7 months renewable
Location: Nairobi duty station with frequent travel within Kenya and Somalia bases or meeting points
Desired start date: 1st of June 2016
Duration of the mission: 7 months renewable
Location: Nairobi duty station with frequent travel within Kenya and Somalia bases or meeting points
About the mission
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) has been operational in Somalia and in Kenya since 2007. SI main areas of intervention are WASH and Food Security. In Kenya, SI has a field base in North Horr (Marsabit county) and implements resilience and WASH projects with funding from EU and DFID. In Somalia, SI has field bases in two regions: Lower Juba (Dhobley) and Hiraan. SI secured funding from ECHO, EU, and CHF. SI is strongly fundraising for other donors. At the time of the writing of this job description SI is also considering opening activities in other locations.
The Kenya/ Somalia mission does not follow a classic set up. There are two different missions followed by the same coordination team. Kenya and Somalia contexts are different: even though security can be volatile in some part of Kenya, access is still possible whereas it is restricted in Somalia.
About the job:
The Head of Mission is the SI official representative in a country or in any part of a country according to the cut-out decided. She/he is in charge of the smooth running of the mission. She/he proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated. She/he monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the SI charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures. She/he mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources. She/he coordinates the teams in place and ensures their security on the mission. She/he is the direct liaison for SI HQ.
The main challenges of the position are:
For Country Director working with SI Kenya/Somalia mission is an exciting post allowing balancing field presence with representation/networking in Nairobi. Somalia as a protracted crisis remains one of most challenging contexts in the world. Mission is seeking a strong strategist who will let operations develop and introduce new innovative approaches to programs/operations.
Responsibilities
Coordination and strategic orientation:
- Monitor and analyze the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and economic context
- Propose and develop an operational strategy consistent with the association’s policies and population’s needs
- Define a plan of action for putting this strategy in place
- Propose new operational directions as contexts change
Relevance and operational quality / operations monitoring:
- Guarantee the coordination, development, monitoring and evaluation of programs implemented on the mission
- Ensure the relevance, quality and consistency of programs
- Ensure that programs are implemented in accordance with annual operational strategy, SI technical requirements and financial donor criteria
Resource management:
- Propose and organize the Human, financial and logistic layout of the mission
- Ensure the financial resources and means necessary for the completion of projects are mobilized
- Guarantee that resources are used effectively
Human Resource Management:
- Build and maintain team dynamics that enable SI objectives to be carried out effectively in the country
- Promote SI ethics and values
- Manage the coordination team as well as staff she/he supervises directly
Security:
- Be responsible for the security of all teams and property on the mission, under the supervision of the HQ Desk Officer
- Monitor and analyze the security situation and ensure that teams clearly understand it
Relationships with financial donors / fund-raising:
- Monitor and analyze financial donor strategies
- Actively assist in fund-raising and ensure the mission’s financial stability
Internal and external communication:
- Ensure that deadlines are adhered to and that documents produced by the mission are of good quality
- Ensure compliance with formats and procedures in internal reporting
- Organize coordination meetings on a regular basis
- Ensure that key operational information is circulated correctly, on the mission and between the mission and HQ
Representation:
- Act as the SI official representative in the country for aid workers, local political and administrative authorities, the civil society and the media
- Attend humanitarian forums and relevant coordination meetings
Your profile
Education:
- Relevant university degree (Master or Post graduate), preferably in international relations and/or development, political science or management. Experience can substitute qualification but not vice versa.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of experience overseas (including 2 years at Senior management level) in complex emergencies, preferably with refugees and/or IDPs/WASH/Food Security and ASAL countries
- Strong experience in programme development and documented skills in formulation of programme/project proposal as well as budgets and reports
- Ability to use Logical Framework Approach as a tool in programme/project design and follow up
- Demonstrated success in program development and fundraising. Must have a successful track record in initiating, cultivating, and securing support from a range of institutional and private donors.
- Experience in negotiating and advocating with government authorities and donors for solutions that serve the needs of beneficiaries, pursuing values of internationally recognized and universal character in a, post-conflict context with a strong respect of local culture and tradition
Technical skills and knowledge:
- Knowledge and experience of working in Somalia
- Good knowledge of donors procedures (esp. ECHO, OFDA/USAID, DFID and EU)
- Previous working experience with SI is an asset
- Strong expertise in resilience and emergency program required
- Proven ability to lead culturally diverse teams
Transferable skills:
- Very comfortable with standard office software and internet research.
Languages:
- English: Fluent with excellent writing capacities
- French: knowledge of French is an advantage
- Somali: knowledge of Somali is an advantage
Other desirable qualities:
- Team player with excellent communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships/consortiums, network and represent organization
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with local organizations and partners, and function effectively as part of a multi-cultural team.
- Ability to effectively lead a remote, multi-cultural team located in different geographic areas.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment;
- Able to work under pressure and in difficult security conditions
We offer
SI will offer you:
Solidarités International will offer you:
- A salaried post: according to experience from 2300 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly.
- For further information about Solidarités International, please consult our website:http://www.solidarites.org/en/
Contact : Marie-Sophie Olivera, HR Manager
HOW TO APPLY:
Application process
Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.
NB: The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension
