Head of Mission at Solidarites International

Solidarites International For over 35 years, the humanitarian aid organization SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has been committed to providing aid in the event of conflict and natural disasters. Our mission is to provide aid as quickly and as efficiently as possible to endangered populations by meeting their vital needs: drinking water, food and shelter.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nigeria - Head of Mission

Locations: Abuja, Maiduguri [if possible, accessible areas of the north-western states (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe)]
Duration: 2 Months
Starting Date: 15th July, 2016

Background of the Mission
Following several alerts raised in 2015 by Action Against Hunger (ACF) and Doctors without Borders (MSF), SI has been considering for the last 5 months a further intervention in Nigeria, and specifically in the north-western states (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe), impacted by the presence of Boko Haram and by the fighting between this non-state armed group (NSAG) and the Nigerian military forces.

Following a desk review period of 2 months, the emergency desk has sent a team composed of three persons (one head of mission, one WASH coordinator, one logistician) for a 20 days exploratory mission in Abuja and in Maiduguri. The scope of this mission was to establish contact with all relevant stakeholders, launch the registration process and determine how and through which angle it would be relevant and feasible for SI to open a mission. The conclusion of the exploration was that it would be relevant for SI to open a mission in Nigeria: the uncovered needs are high, the security situation slightly improved as well as the access, the funding is not yet available but should be in the future and there is a clear added value of having an emergency oriented NGO such as SI in this context.

Context
A political crisis:

• Boko Haram, the Nigerian jihadist group affiliated to Daesh, has since March 2015th lost some ground and battles against the Nigerian army.
• However the number of terrorists attacks (in public places such as market) has increased.
• According to the Global Terrorism Index, in 2014 the organization was on the top of the list of the terrorists groups that caused the highest number of death worldwide: 6644 in one year against 6073 for Daesh.

Internally Displaced People:

• In six years of conflict with brutal attacks on the civilian population in north-eastern Nigeria, over 20 000 people have been killed and 2.2 million are displaced within the country.
• 91%, of the total number of internally displaced people (IDPs) are living in the North-East.
• The main reason for displacement cited by 89% of the IDPs is the conflict.
• In the state capitals, the IDPs are living in the camps (8% of the total displaced population); however, the majority is in host communities (92%) where they are receiving limited or no assistance

An extensive access issue:

• The armed conflict has affected civilians already living in precarious conditions and undermined poverty reduction and development efforts.
• While some internally displaced people (IDPs) live outside the four states of focus, these states, Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe, have been disproportionally affected by the crisis and are prioritized and referred to collectively here as north-east.
• The recent opening of direct UNHAS flights between these 4 states’ capitals broadened the humanitarian coverage.
• However, the response remains centralized in IDP camps and urban center only.

Objectives of the mission

• Manage a team of 2 to 3 assessment managers
• Ensure a follow up of political and socio economic context evolutions related to the conflict in North Eastern states.
• Follow up of humanitarian context evolution: access, gaps in the response, evolution of the humanitarian response (partners, coverage, methodologies…)
• Reinforce and detail the operational strategy of SI such as designed by the first exploratory team
• Lead the multi-sectorial assessment of needs in Maiduguri neighborhoods and potentially out of Maiduguri in IDPs settlements of main Borno cities. Contribute to the report drafting.
• Lead the proposal making process and liaise with donors in that regard
• Design SI security strategy and rules for an intervention in Maiduguri neighborhoods and outside of Maiduguri.
• Ensure SI visibility in all relevant coordination platforms and liaise bilaterally with all relevant partners, such as proposed by first exploratory team.
• Follow up the registration process and ensure the liaison with the federal and state authorities
• Contribute to the identification of local partner(s) and design the modalities and framework of the partnership
• Potentially prepare the opening of SI mission: sizing staff and logistics, requesting support from HQ, logistics, HR and administrative preparations.

Deliverables
Hereunder is the list of final documents expected from the team:

• Assessment report
• Project proposal draft
• Security plan draft
• Pack of documents for briefing of next teams
• Situation report on a rolling basis

Abuja Living Conditions

• Abuja is the federal capital of Nigeria. It is located in the center of Nigeria in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Climate is classified as tropical wet and dry with a warm rainy season from April to October and a hot dry season between November and March.
• Accommodation in Abuja is in hotel with internet access, restaurant, AC, hot water and laundry service. There is no office for the moment, but work can be done from the hotel or in one of the several quiet bars with internet access present in town.
• The level of security threat is very limited in Abuja and the city does not experience the same issues than other Nigerian urban areas. Main risks are road accident, due to driving fast and not very disciplined, and malaria. Criminality is very low and expatriate community is not identified as a specific target.
• Humanitarian sector being small in Abuja, humanitarian expatriate life is limited, but on the other hand, external social life can be very pleasant thanks to the low security threat and the presence of several restaurants, bars, parks, clubs, gym and pools.

We Offer
SI will offer you:

• A salaried post: according to experience from 2300 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 500 USD.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online