Desired start date: 06/10/2025
Duration of the mission: 1 year
Location: Port-au-Prince
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association that, for over 40 years, has been providing relief to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs, such as food, water, and shelter. Particularly committed to combating diseases linked to unsafe water, the world’s leading cause of death, SI’s interventions leverage expertise in the areas of access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion, as well as in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, SI’s teams—a total of 3,200 people, including expatriates, national employees, permanent staff at headquarters, and a few volunteers—operate with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultures.
The mission
Haiti is a country highly exposed and vulnerable to climate hazards. Since 2004, a total of 49 natural disasters have struck the country, and this trend continued in 2020, with a record 30 named systems in the North Atlantic.
The alternating El Niño and La Niña phenomena, as well as the effects of global warming, have a direct impact on Haiti. Repeated droughts limit access to water, both for human consumption and livestock, and for irrigation. In addition, hurricane seasons put the country on alert for more than four months a year.
The mission is positioned on two axes: Emergency responses and projects to strengthen the resilience of communities or local actors in the field of WASH and food security and nutrition. This is mainly in the Port-au-Prince area, in neighborhoods where internally displaced people and very vulnerable people live. This in a security context requiring a fine access strategy and daily security management. The PaP airport has been closed for months and exits from the city by land are prohibited. The mission receives institutional funding from the CDCS, ECHO, UNICEF, AAP and is working on other options in consortium with health or protection actors for a better integrated approach.
In addition to climatic hazards, Haiti is facing a governance crisis with the delivery of deficient and very low-quality public services.
The Haitian context is therefore regularly the scene of emergency responses, carried out in parallel with more sustainable actions. Responding to immediate needs provides relief to the population in the intervention areas, while longer-term projects aim to sustainably improve their resilience and/or prevent risks.
Also, the strategy of Solidarités International is part of a reflection of integration and link between development and emergency action, particularly adapted to the dynamics of the Haitian crisis aiming to strengthen the capacities of local actors while equipping itself with a solid capacity for intervention in the event of an emergency in a tense security context where the negotiation of access is an essential key.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The Country Director is the official representative of Solidarités International. He/she:
• Is responsible for the smooth running of the mission.
• Proposes, based on the geopolitical and humanitarian context, the mission strategy and ensures its implementation once validated.
• Controls and guarantees that the projects are carried out in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and in compliance with internal and contractual procedures.
• Mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the smooth running of the programs and supervises their management.
• Coordinates the teams in place and is the guarantor of their safety on the mission.
He/she is the direct and privileged contact at the headquarters of Solidarités International.
Main activities:
• Coordination and strategic direction
• Relevance and operational quality / monitoring of operations
• Resource management
• Human Resources Management
• Security
• Donor relations / search for funding
• Internal and external communication
• Representation
SPECIFIC ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
• As part of a substantial increase in activity, structure, supervise, manage new teams and a new dynamic
• Work on access, security and acceptance to strengthen SI’s positioning within the framework of purely humanitarian coordination / provide our added value
• Explore initial possibilities for activities outside PaP either in Artibonite or in Nippes.
• Guarantee the safety of people and property in a very volatile context requiring detailed analysis, responsiveness and rapid decision-making.
• Continue donor engagement to sustain the mission in the years to come
• Support the development of new activities related to nutrition and food security
PRIORITIES FOR THE FIRST 2-3 MONTHS
• Continuation of structuring, support, recruitment, dynamic team interviews and nationalization of positions
• Support for the proper implementation of all ongoing projects and possible exploration of Artibonite or Nippes.
• Donor commitments, clusters, humanitarian coordination and partner NGOs, exploration of consortium possibilities
• Security monitoring +++
SECURITY CONSTRAINTS
Level 4 out of 5 on PaP. Haiti has been experiencing political and security crises of varying intensity for several years. Security in PaP is degraded, with risks in neighborhoods where gangs are active, clashing with each other or with the police, regular demonstrations that can escalate, exacerbated gender-based violence, etc. Security protocols are therefore strict and are reviewed and revised very regularly depending on the context.
IF YOU WILL OFFER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
A salaried position: Depending on experience, from EUR 3740 gross per month (3400 basic 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 home country and the duty station.
Breaks: During the mission, a system of alternating between work and leave is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with USD 850 allocated by Solidarités International). In addition to these break periods, there is one additional day of rest per month worked.
Social and medical coverage: Expatriates benefit from insurance that reimburses all health costs (including medical and surgical expenses, dental and eye care, and repatriation) and a welfare system that includes war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are reimbursed.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
– Guest House conditions in a secure condominium with wifi, tennis, barbecue, swimming pool and shared with many members of the international community.
– Internet and stable telephone network but power outages from time to time.
– Restaurant & social life limited to the green zone and subject to regular curfews (changing hours). No access outside PaP for leisure but breaks in Cap Haitien are considered to allow rest and/or short-term remote work.
Required qualifications
• University degree of minimum BAC + 4 level in the humanitarian sector,
• Minimum experience of 3 years in similar positions
• Previous experience in Haiti appreciated
• Experience in management and coordination of humanitarian projects
• Strong experience in management
• Experience in security management
Experience in the humanitarian sector: +5 years
Experience in a similar position: 0-2 years
Technical skills
1. Negotiation and diplomatic skills with local authorities, armed state and non-state actors.
2. Management and leadership skills, involves others to seek solutions and reacts quickly to new challenges.
3. Networking skills, donor engagement and strategic development.
Cross-functional skills
1. Adaptability, flexibility and good resistance to stress
2. Ability to delegate, organize and plan.
3. Ability to mobilize the necessary resources (human, financial, material).
LANGUAGES
French
English
Do you recognize yourself in this description?
If so, send us your CV and cover letter.
Applications containing only CVs will not be considered.
SI reserves the right to close a recruitment before the deadline. Thank you for your understanding.
And to find out more about Solidarités International: www.solidarites.org
Solidarités International (SI) is committed to preventing and combating any type of abuse—any act of sexual exploitation, abuse, and/or harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or its employees, harm to persons and/or property, fraud, corruption, undeclared conflicts of interest, or the financing of activities that violate human rights—that may be perpetrated in the context of its operations. SI has a zero-tolerance policy for any type of abuse, particularly acts of SEAH.
Solidarités International is a fair-trade employer that combats all forms of discrimination. SI will never request any compensation for participating in a recruitment process.