Desired start date: 15/09/2024
Duration of the mission: Up to 31/03/2025
Location: El Fasher (Sudan)

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.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Emergency Response Program Manager is in charge of implementing and achieving the objectives defined in the proposals.
He/she is in charge of supervising the operational teams allocated to his/her program.
He/she guarantees the proper execution and the quality of the implemented program and, if applicable, suggests adjustments or developments to ensure its relevance.

Most particularly, the Emergency Response Program Manager leads the rapid response initiatives North Darfur, Central Darfur and surroundings states and any emergency distribution activities in North Darfur, depending on access.

The main challenges:

– Due to the ongoing conflict, the SI mission in Sudan has significantly increased its activities and funding. There is a need for structuration while coping with the increased volume.
– Very volatile context, complex relationship with authorities, access challenges.
-The Emergency Response Mechanism is a new mechanism in Sudan with teams and partners not being used to such mechanism.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

– Recruitment finalisation, induction and training of the team members on ERM
– Contribute to developing and improving tools and processes for ERM with the Emergency Coordinator
– Implement ERM activities and set up the humanitarian watch system in North Darfur
– Constribute to the devlopment of an emergency strategy and its implementation

Education / academic background:

Bachelor or Masters degree in related field (business, international relations, etc)

Specific skills and experience:

Experience:

3-4 years of experience in the humanitarian sector and 0-2 years on similar positions

Technical skills:

– Strong experience in managing ERM / Rapid response activities focusing on delivering aid within the shortest timeframe
– Able to Follow up and develop strategy for the emergency response in new areas
– Ability and willingness to build up the capacity of the team
– Close coordination and joint implementation with others consortium partner
– Demonstrated experience in large distributions in remote areas

Transversal skills:

– Work under pressure
– Adaptability
– Strong initiative capacities

Language:

– Fluent English
– French is an advantage
– Arabic would be a strong asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 2310 gross per month (2100base 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.

All expatriates based in Sudan have 5 calendar days of break added to their R&R. These days have to be taken consecutively with every 3-month break.
These days cannot be cumulated or taken during the last month of the mission.

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:

Very volatile security situation in El Fasher

House conditions : GH is extremely simple with basic services. Solar pannels with back up providing electricity, Satellite internet in office & GH. No mobile network. Whatsapp calls totally ok. Challenging to watch netflix or youtube for instance.
Restaurant & social life: No restaurants validated for now. No social life outside the GH, very few INGOs in town, curfew at 7pm.
During field deployments with the ERM team, living conditions depend on the specific location. Can typically expect to stay in a building with a bedroom, and a shared bathroom with squatting toilet and bucket shower.