SOUTH SUDAN – FIELD COORDINATOR – RAJA

Desired start date: 15/02/2021**
Duration of the mission:** 6 months (renewable)
Location: Raja, Western Bahr el Gazal, South Sudan

ABOUT THE MISSION

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL operates in South Sudan since 2006.

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL works at the response to urgent needs in water supply, hygiene and sanitation, food security and shelter as well as the prevention and response to outbreaks.

Its long lasting presence has contributed to build a wealth of experience in WASH and FSL assessments, implementation and accountability to beneficiaries.

In December 2013, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL became a key WASH actor for IDPs in the Protection of Civilian (PoC) IDP Camp of Malakal and implemented construction and maintenance of sanitation facilities, waste management and hygiene promotion activities.

SI has also implemented food security activities in South Sudan; piloting large-scale unconditional cash transfers amongst IDPs and host communities in Upper Nile State, as well as seeds distribution in Malakal.

In response to the displacement from Wau Shilluk, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL started a program in Aburoc in 2017 where it was one of the very first actors on the ground to implement WaSH activities, and Solidarités International is the WaSH focal point for the cluster on the site.

Raja County, the largest and remotest county of the newly constituted Lol State, has witnessed a surge in violence and destruction since June 2016 when, reportedly, local youths and militias opposing to the establishment of Lol State’s current administrative boundaries rebelled. The ensuing fighting with local SPLA units resulted in the looting most of the town, including all the supplies and facilities of the local hospital, which was the referral secondary health facility for more than 90 000 people at the time.

Fighting in April 2017 aggravated the plight of the County population, causing at least 16 dead in Raja Town and estimated 13000 IDPs flew to the bush and to other locations within the County (such as Mangayat, Sopo, Katta, Boro Medina and Timsah) and lack of access to primary health and nutritional care.

Most IDPs who flew to rural areas are now slowly moving back to urban centers. On-going violence and insecurity prevents people from attending to their fields, while the absence of food stocks across the county in light of the upcoming lean season contributes to the dire nutritional situation in Lol State.

In 2017, Solidarités International opened a base in Raja in order to implement activities of WASH in Health, mostly focused on hospital and community level (in partnership with ALIMA), food security, and livelihood intervention in Western Bahr el Ghazal State in Jur River County.

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL MAIN OBJECTIVES

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL main objectives are: an overall reduction of morbidity and mortality linked with water-borne diseases through the provision of sustainable access to safe water in vulnerable communities hosting IDPs while developing community capacity to prevent water-borne diseases through improved hygiene and to improve the livelihood opportunities and resilience of the farmers and fisher folk in Raja County.

The Field Coordinator is in charge of the implementation of the project activities ensuring efficient security management and adequate coordination with partners and government stakeholders.

Type of activities:

• Activity 1: Rehabilitation of one water distribution point in Raja hospital and 3 other water points in 3 PHCU
• Activity 2: Maintenance of 10 latrines in Raja Hospital and 20 hand washing stations
• Activity 3: Awareness sessions and 3500 WaSH NFI distribution
• Activity 4: 30 Community Hygiene Promoters
• Activity 5: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey
• Activity 6: Distribution of livelihood inputs
• Activity 7: Training and extension services to the farmers’ groups.

Mission: size, bases, budget, number of expatriates and national staffs.

• Smaller size
• 1 base with 1 sub-base
• BUDGET 500,000 USD for 6 months
• 3 expatriates
• 13 national staff

ABOUT THE JOB

The Field Coordinator is reporting directly to the Country Director and under functional supervision of the Program Coordinator.

The Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director for the region of the country in which Solidarités International intervenes.

As such:

• 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 Solidarités International representative on the field.

Main priorities within the first 3 months of the mission:

• Development and/ or update the security guidelines for SI Raja and Wau team
• Establish field based coordination mechanism
• Establish network and coordination platform with other actors in Raja to support SI strategy in the area.

The main challenges:

• Volatile context and complex security situation
• Developing collaboration and networking with local authorities and NGOs working in the area
• Evolving nature of needs and interruption of the planned activities
• Smooth coordination with all stakeholders.

Living conditions:

• Basic living conditions.
• Electricity supply for most of the day but not 24 hours.
• Phone network available
• Local foods available, juba supply dependent for quality food.

YOUR PROFILE

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3 years of international experience in a humanitarian or development NGO in support sector;
• Proven experience in security management in an overwhelming scenario
• Previous experience as Field Coordinator is compulsory (no first mission/position).
• Proven experience as an efficient and effective manager (experience with expatriate management)
• Previous experience with Solidarités International is highly appreciated
• Exceptional organizational, coordination skills and networking;
• Experience and reliability in handling budgets and logistics procedures;
• Experience in project cycle management as well as in budget, HR and logistics management (to understand how is running a base).
• Previous experience in South Sudan is an asset

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Exceptional organizational and coordination skills;
• Strong negotiation skills are essentials with experience in conflict resolution desirable;
• Good representation skills: ability to liaise with local authorities, NGOs, other agencies and donors.
• Good understanding of humanitarian challenges including the link between refugees and Host Communities
• Knowledge of Solidarités International rules, tools and procedures would be an asset

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

• Ability to multitask and deal with stressful situations.
• Strong diplomatic and smooth leadership skills is essential;
• Good team player: ability to create and develop a good working environment and team cohesion.
• Organization, focus on objectives and ability to meet deadlines

Specific skills and experience:

Besides usual Field Coordinator competences, this position makes necessary to have a large degree of autonomy, a good strategic positioning and an extensive experience in access and security management.

Language: English is required, French and/or Arabic is an asset.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from 2600 euros gross per month (+ 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD.

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation: 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 850 USD allocated by Solidarités). To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of one additional rest day per month worked, i.e. 12 days in addition for a one-year contract.

Social and medical cover:
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses 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 refunded.