Desired start date: 01/03/2025
Duration of the mission: 6 months – The position will be maintained depending on funding.
Location: Gedaref – Sudan 6
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.
About the mission
Following fighting between SAF (regular army) and RSF (rapid support forces) since April 2023, SI is developing a rapid emergency response in Sudan.
In Geneina, West Darfur, SI opened a base in August 2022, providing assistance to IDPs living in the gathering sites inside the city. The response was WASH in emergency activities with water trucking, construction of boreholes, hygiene kits distribution, latrines construction and rehabilitation…
Today, the situation in Darfur, and specifically in Geneina is worsening due to the conflict at country level. SI is assessing the sites and the needs for an emergency response which began in May 2023, providing WASH in emergency activities to the IDPs and host communities in Geneina, and possibly in other states in Darfur (El Fasher, Nyala). SI began water trucking activities in May 2023 and is the only WASH actor in Geneina.
In the East of the country, especially Gedaref, Al Jazirah and Madani states, security situation is tense but much calmer than in Darfur. SI is doing assessments to implement a WASH/shelter and NFIs response for IDPs, mainly coming from Khartoum.
In Khartoum, SI wants to develop a WASH emergency response as soon as possible, and when authorizations are provided.
SI is one of the pillars of the INGO forum coordination, especially for Darfur.
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The Field Coordinator Gedaref will be in charge of running the Gedaref Office and keep on developping its activities in a context of important population displacements from the neighbooring states.
He/she acts as Country Director by delegation in Gedaref state.
Based on the geopolitical and humanitarian context, He/She proposes a regional strategy and ensures its implementation once validated.
He/she controls and guarantees that projects align with Solidarités International’s charter and comply with internal and contractual procedures.
He/she mobilizes the necessary material and financial resources for program implementation and supervises their management.
He/she coordinates on-site teams and ensures their safety within the assigned area.
The Field Coordinator is the direct and primary contact for the Mission Country Director
General objective:
Assess the security situation in Gedaref Area and map local actors impacting its evolution
Engage in negociations with authorities to obtain all necessary authorisations for the development of the activities at local and national levels
Design a response strategy for Gedaref, considering existing budgets and potential new proposals
Desigh the necessary HR set-up and concept of operation
Identify and secure adapted premises
Represent the CD in local level negociations with the authorities, parners, UN and donors
The main challenges:
1-Scarcity of cash and payment methods
2- Complex liaison with Authorities
3-Proximity of frontline (even if medium risk security context – level 3)
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
Reinforce the organisation’s capacity of negociations and representation with local authorities, UN, parners and donors in the area.
Finalize the HR and logistic setup of the Gedaref base, to reinforce it operational capacities, in accordance with upcoming programs
Obtain all necessary authorizations from local authorities to ensure the organisation’s capacities of intervention in Gedaref
Reconfirm the strategy set for the base, in accordance with the mission’s strategy
Security constraints:
Although it remains currently quiet, Gedaref is close to the frontline and could be subject to security events according to the evolution of the conflict. Travel in eastern Sudan is subject to numerous administrative impediments.
DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE
Masters degree in a related field (humanitarian response, international cooperation, development studies, political sciences…).
- Experience in the humanitarian sector : 3-4 years
- Experience on a similar position : 0-2 years
SKILLS
TECHNICAL SKILLS
1. Security and access management
2.. Rapid need Assesement
3. Experience of Sudan
4. Strong negociations skills
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
1. Work under pressure
2. Adaptability
3. Strong initiative capacities and solution-finding attitude
LANGUAGES
1. Fluent English
2. Arabic would be an advantage
3. French would be an asset
A salaried position:
The position will be maintained depending on funding.
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 three 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
Gedaref is a small city of about 300 000 inhabitants, which host many INGO working to support IDPs in the area. The town host a few expatriates and present limited possibilities of leisure. Local authorities impose a curfew from 7pm until 6am. As an important commercial hub the city offers a large market and several options of small local restaurants. The base is composed of one compound regrouping the office on the ground floor and the guesthouse on the first floor. The base is comfortable and well set up with acces to good quality internet, electericity and all modern comfort.