Education / academic background:

University degree in communication/public relation

Specific skills and experience:

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

1. Content development and storytelling

2. Program reporting and advocacy communication

3. data management and database maintenance

TRANSVERSAL SKILLS:

1. Communication

2. Team working

3. Information literacy

Language:

1. English (mandatory)

2. Arabic (an asset)

3. French (an asset – in relation to French donor requirement)

Desired start date: 1st Feb 2025
Duration of the mission: 6 months
Location: North East Syria

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

Solidarités International operates via one mission in three countries, Syria, Türkiye and Iraq, with very diverse programs. The mission is managed per hub since 2024, the Western Hub covering North-West Syria (NWS) and Türkiye from Amman and the Eastern Hub covering North-East Syria (NES) and Iraq. Overall the mission employs 350 staff, implementing a large diversity of programs adjusted to each context.

In NES, SI is one of the leading agencies in the WASH sector, responding to emergencies, protracted situations and recovery needs. The strategy is complemented with a significant FSL component, addressing market rehabilitations, business development and agriculture. SI is operational in Raqqa & Hasskeh Governorates.

In NWS, SI operates in Idleb and Nothern-Aleppo with large WASH programs, with a focus in camps settings for IDP populations, and rehabilitation programs, especially after the earthquake. SI also responds to new emergencies, including regular displacements, natural disasters and epidemics.

In Iraq, SI works in Ninewa and Kurdish Republic of Iraq with recovery programs, restoring livelihoods of displaced populations via business development and mitigating the impact of climate change and water scarcity.

In Türkiye, SI began operations with a Turkish partner working with CSOs in areas affected by the earthquake to restore their capacities after this natural disaster, focusing in particular on Hatay province.

General objective:

Under the management of the Grants Manager and in close collaboration with the Hub unit and field bases, the Communication Officer oversees the development of external communication materials aligned with SI’s operational strategy in the country of implementation.
In close collaboration and under the supervision of the Grants Manager, coordination will also be maintained with the Grants department in Amman and the HQ Communication team in Paris to ensure compliance with SI communication rules and policies.

The main challenges:

• Position covering 2 countries (Iraq and Northeast Syria) requiring frequent travel and flexibility
• Quite a wide portfolio of donors with their specific donor requirement

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Development of the Communication strategy for the eastern Hub (in line with SI communication strategy for Syraq mission)
• Visibility material to produce for Iraq SI mission
• Donor communication requirement to develop

Responsibilities and main activities:

• Institutional communication
• External communication
• Program reporting
• Databases management

A salaried position:

According to experience, starting from EUR 1980 gross per month (1800 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:

Living and working conditions in Erbil are good.

SI GH in Erbil is located in Ankawa and has all the usual services available (internet, 24/7 electricity, water …). The GH is located 2 minutes by foot from the office (same condominium) and there is a wide range of restaurants, shops, and services available in Erbil. Use of the taxi (Careem) is permitted to move in the city and there is no curfew. A trip to Kurdistan (KRI) is possible upon validation of the security focal point and Hub Director.
Regular travel to Hassakeh and Raqqa will be required where security rules are stricter than Erbil due to the overall context. However, the living conditions remain comfortable within the GHs (own room, well-equipped common areas, internet, 24/7 electricity through generators and/or solar panels).

Security risks are low, and restrictions are very limited.

However, when going on the field bases, living conditions are more basic, with fewer opportunities for socialization, as well as some individual movements’ restrictions. Security levels vary according to the different geographical locations and changes of context.