Deputy Country Director for Programs

PRESENTATION OF THE ORGANIZATION

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian NGO which, for more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their vital needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly involved in the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the first 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 around twenty countries, SI's teams - 2000 people in total made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at headquarters, and a few volunteers - work with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

General objective:

In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), the DCD Program’s  most important objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming, overseeing the strengthening of SI’s program development, quality and accountability. The DCDP ensures the internal coherence between program activities and is responsible for ensuring that programs are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately.

The main challenges:

The main challenges for the position is the changing funding environment, which leads to the shift of strategies, whether related to the sectors or the projects/interventions to pitch and manage. The security environment is also a challenge, imposing restraints on movement and causing often the plan of operations to be derailed. Finally, the management of several projects with several internal stakeholders, donors, and partners is an important challenge, that only a profile with multitasking capacities, planning and leadership skills is expected to handle successfully.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

1. Diversification of Funding and Meetings with Key Donors

- Conduct a comprehensive review of current funding sources and identify opportunities for diversification.

- Update donor mapping and engagement plan to build relationships with existing and potential donors.

- Schedule and conduct introductory and follow-up meetings with key donors to present the organization’s work and explore funding opportunities.

2. Development and Validation of the Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) & Partnership Strategies

- Review and assess the current FSL programs and identify areas for improvement and expansion.

- Lead the development of a comprehensive FSL strategy in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

- Develop a partnership strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives.

- Engage with key partners to validate the partnership strategy and establish clear roles and expectations.

3. Lead Programme HR restructuration

- Assessment of the current program team structure and roles.

- Develop a comprehensive HR restructuring plan to align with program needs, mission funding availability and strategic objectives.

- Implement the restructuring plan, ensuring clear communication and support for staff during the transition.

Responsibilities and main activities:

•  Conception and leading on Strategic Direction
•  Donor, Grant, Relationship management and representation
•  Program development and quality management
•  Institutional knowledge building
•  Support management
•  HR management (team leading, time management, task and objectives management)

Reporting/Communication

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)

Line manager: Country Director  

Line Report(s) MEAL, IM, Grants & Partnership, FSL, WASH & Rehabilitation Coordinators

Functional Manager: HQ technical referent

Functional Report(s): Program Managers

PROFILE NEEDED

Studies : BA in management, international relations, political science, public administration, or any other related field with at least 4-5 years’ experience in NGO/UN similar positions. Master’s degree in diplomacy, International Relations, Management, NGO management is desired. 

Experience : more than 5 years’ experience in a similar role or as a senior project manager, area manager, grants senior manager, etc.

Language : English is mandatory (very well written, spoken and talking capacities) – arabic is essential, French is plus.

IT : Microsoft pack usage (intermediary level)

Qualification : Trainings in program and project management (international certificates are a plus); HEAT training, first aid, IHL, and other relative trainings are a plus.