AFGHANISTAN - Emergency and Security Coordinator - Kabul

Solidarités International is a French humanitarian organization which provides aid and assistance to victims of war or natural disaster. For over 30 years the association has focused on meeting three vital needs - water, food and shelter - by carrying out emergency programmes followed by longer-term reconstruction projects. Whilst fully respecting the assisted populations’ customs and culture, Solidarités International’s programmes are implemented through the joint expertise of around 180 expatriates and 1500 local managerial staff and employees. Solidarités International is currently present in Africa (Central African Republic, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Liberia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe), in Asia (Afghanistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar) and in Haiti.

SOLIDARITES IN AFGHANISTAN

Solidarités International’s (SI) mission in Afghanistan was and still is a historically significant mission, linked to the birth and development of the association. The mission was the biggest of the association until 2003/2004 when a volume reduction trend started. From 2008 onwards, the trend was reversed and the mission witnessed an increase in the volume of activities with the maintaining and strengthening of a major rural development component both linked to the humanitarian situation in Solidarités International’s areas of intervention (mainly the central highlands) and a donor strategy putting emphasis on early recovery and development type projects. In addition, it should be noted that since 2005, Solidarités International continued the implementation of WASH projects in “urban poor” environments in Kabul city and its immediate outskirts. At the same time, Solidarités kept up its intervention in peak crisis situations with the implementation of emergency food security-related projects (direct food distribution, voucher for work, cash for work, food for work, and emergency shelter) in its areas of intervention. Finally, throughout 2010, SI began the development of its emergency response capacity, setting up an umbrella emergency response mechanism in several provinces of the country.

Currently, Solidarités International’s intervention takes place in four provinces: Kabul, Bamyan, Baghlan and Samangan.

OUTLINE OF POST

The Emergency & Security Coordinator will be based in Kabul with frequent movements to the field bases in Bamyan Province (Bamyan, Saighan and Yakawlang Districts), Samangan Province (Ayback and Ruy-e-Doab Districts) and Baghlan Province (Andarab Districts). Bamyan and Samangan Provinces are accessible by plane while Baghlan Province is only accessible by road from Kabul. In terms of security, Kabul has a specific set-up which is managed by the Emergency & Security Coordinator and the Country Director.

The E&S Coordinator is in charge of Solidarités’ Emergency activities and strategy in Afghanistan and of the coordination of emergency activities (both internal and external) at the country level.

He/she is responsible of the supervision of the security management within the mission. He/she is in charge of the follow up of the Humanitarian and Security situation in Afghanistan and the development of emergency activities at mission level.

The E&S Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Country Director based in Kabul and will be a part of the Kabul coordination team.

The E&S Coordinator position’s major objectives are to properly achieve the following tasks: • Management and Support of the Emergency Project Managers • Coordination of Project Cycle Management of Emergency Programs • In-country Humanitarian situation follow-up and Emergency Strategy Making • Supervision of the security management within the mission • In-country Security situation follow-up and Strategy Making • External Coordination and Representation

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Management and Support of Emergency Project Managers :

• Technical and Methodological Support
• Conduct regular field visits to all Emergency projects
• Support Project Managers in the implementation of Emergency projects
• Define specific operational action plans
• Recruitment and HR
• Define and follow up recruitment schemes ; timely provision of Job Descriptions for staff
• Follow up the R&R scheduling of Emergency managers
• Ensure regular Evaluations (EAP) for international and national Emergency staff
• Training & Capacity Building
• Organisation of appropriate internal and external training for all Emergency team members
• Definition of the individual capacity building of key Emergency national staff
• Training Project Managers on Solidarités’ and donors’ tools, procedures and guidelines

2) Coordination of Project Cycle Management of Food Security Programs :

• Proposal Making & Amendment Process
• Leading the proposal-making & amendment processes
• Centralising narrative/operational/budgetary aspects of Emergency proposals and amendments
• Internal and External Reporting
• Ensuring regular, timely and relevant internal operational reporting
• Active participation in the preparation of narrative reports for donors
• Supervision of Follow-up tools
• Ensure the proper financial follow-up of the ongoing Emergency activities
• Making sure that Operational Follow-up and AFC/IC tools are properly used by all Emergency managers

3) In-country Humanitarian Situation Follow-up and Emergency Strategy Making :

• Monitoring of the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan
• Follow-up of reports, documents and bibliography
• Sharing with the mission up-to-date information on the evolution of the humanitarian situation
• Development and implementation of the Emergency Strategy
• Definition of the annual Emergency Strategy and follow-up of its implementation
• Identification of new geographical areas to assess

4) Supervision of Security Management :

• Security procedures
• Review security procedures and provide regular security updates
• Ensure that all locations have up-to-date information on security procedures
• Ensure that Solidarités guesthouses and offices are secured and properly guarded
• Information Treatment and Contact Management
• Gather and share security information
• Contact with authorities and community leaders in our area of intervention
• Crisis Management
• Ensure the direct management and follow-up of any security incidents which may occur
• Ensure the regular update of contingency plan for all bases
• Management and organization of evacuation, hibernation and relocation
• Human Resources Management
• Provide leadership to security team
• Organize briefings and training for each new international/national staff

5) In-country Security Situation Follow-up and Strategy Making :

• Context Analysis
• Define the main security and contextual trends according to the information collected
• Provide regular risk analysis for each area of intervention
• Follow-up of political and military / armed groups’ strategies
• Define an appropriate security strategy
• Assessment and Specific Operations
• Conduct security assessments in new areas as required
• Manage, in collaboration with logistics, the opening or closing of a base
• Conduct security assessment on new roads as required
• Intervene in tense security situations
• Development and implementation of the Annual Security Strategy

6) External Coordination and Representation :

• Active Participation in Emergency and Security Meetings : ensuring better exchange, communication and cooperation with relevant partners
• Representation and Fundraising
• Creation and maintenance of links with relevant donors
• Active propositions and search for funding possibilities

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education: BAC+5 degree in development/humanitarian studies and/or political science

Experience: • At least 4 years overseas experience working with an NGO • At least 3 years’ experience in program management and team management • At least 2 year experience in leading and ensuring security management • Experience in field assessment • Experience of working in insecure environments; • Proven management ability, including ability to motivate and develop skills of others. • Must be able to make sound management decisions in difficult situations and also be able to work in a participatory manner with colleagues.

Technical skills and knowledge: • Strong knowledge of donors’ policies and guidelines • Strong knowledge of field assessment • Strong knowledge in project cycle management • Strong knowledge in security management • Excellent redaction, organizational and planning skills

Languages: Fluent in English (written, spoken, read). French or Persian would be highly appreciated.

Other desirable qualities: • Minimum 28 years old • Good analytical and redaction skills • Good management capacities and team leadership spirit • Adaptability to work in harsh environments • Knowledge of the Afghan context (Highly appreciated) • Good knowledge of Islamic environment • Knowledge of Dari or Farsi will be highly appreciated

Rigor, patience, autonomy and capacity of adaptation are necessary skills.

CONDITIONS

Salaried post: from 1700 euros gross per month, according to experience, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 500 USD.

Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate’s home country to the site of the assignment.

• 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 are refunded.
• Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 15-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).

DURATION : 12 months, beginning 15th August 2011.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send us a CV and cover letter, either through our website or via the following link:https://emea2.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?I....