Country Director

Job Posting Organization:
Solidarités International (SI) is an international humanitarian aid organization that has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters for over 40 years. The organization focuses on meeting vital needs such as access to water, food, and shelter. SI is particularly committed to combating diseases related to unsafe water, which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Through its interventions, SI has developed expertise in providing access to drinking water, sanitation, hygiene promotion, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and livelihoods. SI operates in 26 countries with a total of 3,200 staff members, including expatriates, national employees, headquarters staff, and a few volunteers. The organization has been active in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2007, with a small coordination base in Bangui and two operational bases in Markounda and Bouar. In Markounda, SI provides emergency assistance and recovery in sectors such as Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation (construction and rehabilitation of water points and latrines, hygiene promotion, and sustainable water resource management), Food Security, and Livelihoods (food aid and economic and agricultural recovery). In Bouar, SI implements a large multi-year development project in the EHA sector across three regions, aiming to improve access to water services through the construction of numerous water points and drinking water supply networks, along with support for technical services for sustainable management of public hydraulic infrastructure. SI's funding partners include DG ECHO and CDCS, and they collaborate with organizations such as EAD, AFD, WFG, and I3D.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this position is to ensure the official representation of Solidarités International in the Central African Republic (CAR) to authorities, financial partners, and other humanitarian actors, while overseeing the smooth operation of activities within the country. The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director is responsible for the safety of the teams and adherence to SI's internal procedures and the legal framework in place. The role also involves contributing to the development of the mission strategy and creating new project proposals. The position faces significant challenges, including a volatile security context (especially post-election) with numerous non-state armed groups and criminal organizations operating throughout the territory, major access difficulties due to severely degraded road infrastructure, and an increasingly constrained administrative environment. The first two to three months will focus on meeting with various donors to present SI's actions and strategy for 2026, developing strategic partnerships, and continuing the structuring of the CAR mission within the multi-country mission involving Chad, Cameroon, and CAR.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Official representation of SI in CAR, ensuring effective communication with authorities, financial partners, and humanitarian actors.
• Overseeing the safety and security of staff and ensuring compliance with SI's internal procedures and legal requirements.
• Contributing to the development of the mission strategy and new project proposals.
• Managing and supporting the heads of the two operational bases in Markounda and Bouar.
• Engaging with local authorities and ensuring adherence to legal procedures.
• Monitoring the implementation of security procedures and protocols.
• Developing strategic partnerships and new project proposals for submission to various donors.
• Structuring the integration of CAR within the multi-country mission, including inter-departmental communication and coordination between bases and the Yaoundé coordination office.
• Addressing the challenges posed by the volatile security context and access difficulties. 1
• Ensuring the effective management of financial and strategic oversight of the mission.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Country Director position should possess the following qualifications:

• A Master's degree (bac + 5) in humanitarian project management, international relations, public policy, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of 0 to 2 years of experience in a similar position.
• At least 5 years of experience in the humanitarian sector.
• Proven technical experience in strategic and financial management, representation to donors and authorities, and security management.
• Strong transversal skills in team management, organization, prioritization, and resilience under stress.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree (bac + 5) in a relevant field such as humanitarian project management, international relations, or public policy. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the necessary skills for effective project management and representation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 0 to 2 years of experience in a similar role, along with at least 5 years of experience in the humanitarian sector. This level of experience is crucial for navigating the challenges of the role and ensuring effective leadership and management of humanitarian operations.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication in the Central African Republic. Proficiency in English is recommended, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset, potentially enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse communities and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is a short-term contract with a duration of 6 months, starting on March 16, 202

• The salary is based on experience, starting from EUR 3,740 gross per month (including a base salary of EUR 3,400 plus a 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly per diem of USD 72
• SI covers housing costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's home country and the duty station. During the mission, a work and leave alternation system is implemented, allowing for 7 working days off every three months, with an additional day of rest for each month worked. Expatriates benefit from comprehensive health insurance covering all medical expenses, including surgical, dental, and ophthalmological care, as well as repatriation. Vaccination and essential malaria treatment costs are reimbursed. Living conditions in Bangui are relatively pleasant, with access to restaurants, bars, and leisure activities, and the security situation allows for daytime walking with few restrictions.