Environmental Peacebuilding Association

Syria: Food Security and Livelihood PM (Sustainable Livelihood and Agricultural Development)

Mar 20, 2023 | Solidarités International
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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 some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2500 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.

Solidarites International (SI) has been working in Syria since 2012. The mission counts about 230 national staff, more than 40 expatriates, and has a 25 million USD budget forecasted for 2021. There are 3 implementing offices in Syria (2 in North East Syria/NES, 1 in North West Syria/NWS) with the coordination based in Amman - Jordan. This position will be based in Raqqa.

The NES programs provide an integrated assistance in the WASH, NFI, Shelter, FSL and Livelihoods sectors to displaced populations and host communities affected by the conflict.

Syria mission is dedicated to work in areas recently opened (in 2017 in Raqqa) and in challenging contexts to provide lifesaving activities to the population affected by the conflict. A turn from lifesaving activities to more post-emergency/development has also been undertaken.

In Ar-Raqqa Governorate, main current activities are related to Lifesaving and Early recovery and more sustainable activities.

In Raqqa, Si started to implement agriculture and livelihoods activities in 2021, mainly through two projects who provide agricultural support (at household level through vegetable gardening, and farmer level through support to wheat production) and business grants to entrepreneurs. A food security and livelihoods strategy has been developed for NES, and in 2022 SI took another step in this strategy in launching a value chain assessment in NES, and pre-identifying new donors. SI is also strengthening its coordination with nutrition actors in order to have better integration with its food security / agriculture activities. In 2023, SI is aiming to improve its programming in building the resilience of the communities through community based projects and saving groups. This approach has been included in projects and proposals that would fall under the scope of this position.

On the agricultural side, the next expected step is to engage further with cooperatives. This latter objective should be reached by the mid 2023 and would fall under this position.

About the Job

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Ensure the good implementation of the FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS (agricultural development / agriculture oriented activities)
Liaise with the Rehabilitation Department (Agriculture support to farmers being in link with the rehabilitation of the irrigation system)
Launch the sustainable livelihoods and saving groups project in Raqqa, liaising with other program department and external actors.
Ensure the recruitment and training of the new team

Responsibilities and main activities:

Support in strategic orientation, diagnosis and project design
Project relevance, quality and design
Implementation and operational monitoring
HR management
Capitalization and Institutional Knowledge Building - IKB

Reporting / communication / representation

Applicant Profile

Specific skills and experience:

Education

Specific degree in the Agricultural sector and Rural/Urban Economic development
Bachelor degree in a field related to Project Management, Development studies, International relations or equivalent

Experience

Minimum 3 years with INGO in Humanitarian Project Management including FSL, with at least the management of one program specifically linked to Agricultural sector
Previous experience with SI being a plus.
Experience in HR management
Experience in a volatile security context highly appreciated

Technical skills

Technical background in the field of agricultural development and related project
Demonstrated understanding of nutrition
Strong computer skills essential and working knowledge of Mobile Data Collection systems (e.g., Kobo or ONA)
Experience in communication with communities and implementation of accountability mechanisms
Ability to organize training and lead meetings
Capacity building to local teams is paramount for the position
Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
Database management
Acceptance towards being challenged by skilled national staff

SI Offer

A salaried post:

According to experience, starting from 1980 euros gross per month (1800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD.

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of on 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3/6 and 9 month.

To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of 1 additional rest day per month Worked > i.e 12 days in addition for 1-year contract.

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.

Living Conditions

The candidate will be based in Raqqa. She/He will live in the SI guesthouse(s). In Raqqa, living conditions are simple but highly improved with a few opportunities and places to socialize. The per diem rate for NES is 700 USD a month.

Application Process

Applicants should send their CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

NB: The vacancy may close before the deadline.