SI opened its mission in Bangladesh at the end of 2007, following cyclone SIDR.
Today, SI’s intervention and strategy in Bangladesh is to address the primary needs of crisis-affected people in terms of: food security, livelihood (FSL), disaster risk reduction (DRR), water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) and shelter, through an integrated disaster risk reduction approach; and by taking into account the effects of climate change; whilst working in parallel on mid-long term resilience strategies.
SI operates through 3 core stages of intervention: rapid response mechanisms in the aftermath of a disaster or emergency // early recovery & transitional periods // development.
The mission’s 4 key strategic objectives:
- Responding to the most urgent needs of conflict and disaster affected populations;
- Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities to recurrent shocks;
- Strengthening communities’ capacities to access resources;
- Reducing marginalization through inclusive programming and protection.
Today, the mission has 4 bases, and 1 coordination office in Cox’s Bazar.
There are 3 main partnerships with RIC, GRAUS, Shushilan, and others to be coming.
There are approx. 200 staff (10 expats, 190 national staff) – plan to further reduce number of expats, and also major restructuring the mission due to some funding reduction
The forecast budget for 2021: EUR 4 million.
To learn more about the Bangladesh mission, please click here.
General objective
The Field Coordinator has the role of delegated Country Director for a region of a country in which SI intervenes. As such:
- He/she proposes a regional strategy according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once validated.
- He/she checks and ensures that projects are carried out in accordance with SI charter, respecting all internal and contractual procedures
- He/she mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for programs to run smoothly, and supervises resource management.
- He/she coordinates the teams in place and is responsible for their security and safety in his/her assigned zone.
- He/she is the Country Director’s direct contact and representative
Main challenges
- Large size of operations (with around 150 base staff) in different areas, including emergency projects having tight implementation timeframes, requiring good decision-making capacities and capacity to work under pressure
- SI is currently phasing out from camps and long-standing camp-based activities as a result of funding constraints and push for localization; this requires :
- careful attention to partnership management (for handover) as well as creative and innovative thinking for new areas and activities
- need to ensure a clear transition for the staff
- Different donor grants, requiring a strong attention to detail and organization
- Strengthen the links between the Teknaf base and the coordination in Cox’s Bazar.
- Complex local socio-political context which requires strong analytical and diplomatic skills
Priorities for the first months:
- Base/mission restructuration:
A restructuring plan is in place while the team seeks additional funding. The Teknaf FCO will need to oversee substantial cuts in activities and staff, and support the opening of different manager positions at the national level.
- Communication between department and coordination:
Maintaining coordination and communication between the base and coordination, particularly in sharing information and ensuring regular visits.
- Enhance support department managerial ownership:
Maintaining existing procedures and—if anything is changed—detailing new rules in a documented validated by the CD and Log Co
- Engaging local authorities, maintaining relationships and empowering Assistant Field Coordinator:
A large part of the FCO position is the engagement with Camp In-Charges (CiCs) and other local authorities.
Education
Post graduate level in related field.
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years of international experience in a humanitarian or development NGO in support sector, ideally with additional program experience;
- Proven experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts
- Previous experience as Field Coordinator is compulsory (no first mission/position)
- Proven experience as an efficient and effective manager (experience with expatriate management and large national staff management)
- Excellent capacity building and staff follow up skills
- Experience and reliability in handling budgets and logistics procedures
- Experience in project cycle management as well as in budget, HR and logistics management (to understand how a base functions)
+ Previous experience in Bangladesh is an asset
+ Previous experience with SI is strongly appreciated
+ Strong log experience is an asset
Specific skills
- Exceptional organizational and coordination skills
- Strong negotiation skills are essential with experience in conflict resolution desirable
- Good representation skills: ability to liaise with local authorities, NGOs, other agencies and donors
- Good understanding of humanitarian challenges including the link between refugees and Host Communities
+ Knowledge of SI rules, tools and procedures is an asset
Transferable skills
- Ability to multitask and deal with stressful situations
- Strong diplomatic and smooth leadership skills are essential
- Skills in creating and developing a good working environment and team cohesion
- Organization, rigor and ability to meet deadlines
Language
Bilingual in English mandator
Si will offer you
A salaried position
A salary of minimum of EUR 2860 gross salary / month (EUR 2600 base salary + 10% annual leave) + a monthly Per Diem of USD 450 / month.
SI covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
The Field Co will be sharing a guesthouse with other international staff.
Breaks
During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every 3 months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with USD 850 allocated by SI).
In addition to these, SI adds 1 additional rest day per month of work, i.e. 12 additional days off for a one-year contract.
Insurance package Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which covers 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 office and guesthouse in Teknaf are comfortable and safely located. They ensure good standard in terms of privacy and comfort. However, it is important to mention that the city is quite polluted, and can get very busy and thus noisy.
Teknaf is located right next to the longest beach in the world: surfers are welcome.
Please note that the Bangladesh mission is adapting its way of working and living to minimize the exposure to COVID19, in constant monitoring and adaptation to the context evolution. This include social distancing and strict hygienic rules, such as handwashing, wearing a mask etc.
Comment postuler
Please send us your CV and cover letter in English.
If you have already been technically validated by SI on the FC position, please mention it.
NB: the vacancy may close before the deadline.
To learn more about SI, please visit our website.