Algeria: URGENT - Emergency Coordinator HI Algeria – Sahrawi Camps

NGO PRESENTATION

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights.

Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.

MISSIONCONTEXT

The Western Sahara conflict has been opposing Morocco and Algeria on the subject of former Spanish colony in Morocco (declared independent by the Polisario Front in 1976 with Algeria’s support under the name of Sahrawi Democratic Arab Republic). Moroccan and Algerian forces were in conflict between 1975 and 1976, leading to tens of thousands of refugees in Algeria. War with the Polisario front ended in 1991. Today, Morocco controls 80% of the territory, the Polisario front the remaining 20%. Official status of Western Sahara, still on the list of the UN non-autonomous territories, is not determined yet as Morocco considers it as one of its provinces. According to UNHCR, 120 000 Sahrawis live across the 5 camps of Smara, Dakhla, Boujdour, Aousserd et Rabouni, close to Tindouf. The camps administration has been managed by the Polisario Front for 40 years, but Sahrawi refugees mainly depend on humanitarian aid since income-generating activities are scarce. As a result, more than 90% of the food served every day comes from UNHCR and WFP, amounting to nearly 30 million dollars being spent per year.

The heavy rainfalls of October 16^th, 18^th and 21th 2015 have further increased the vulnerability of the refugees living in the now flooded Sahrawi camps. 25 000 persons have been affected, more than 1200 houses have collapsed, leading around 5000 families with no shelter. Health centers and hospitals have been also hit, and privies’ septic tanks broke, implying a high risk of contamination of the phreatic table. Together with stagnant water, sanitation situation is worrisome.

To address the needs of the Sahrawi refugees, Handicap International has been planning an emergency response project with the financial support of UNICEF. Said action is intended to target child friendly spaces to make up for the destruction and closure of all schools across the camps.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES OF THE EXPATRIATE

Under the responsibility of Algeria’s Head of Mission, you will be responsible for:

• Ensuring external representation at the level of the Sahrawi camps;


• Supervising the implementation of HI emergency project in the Sahrawi camps;


• Providing leadership and support to your team;


• Ensuring the coordination and standardization of the programme between the different bases, reviewing management systems and proposing appropriate improvement when needed;


• Training and managing the team under your responsibility, including regular guidance and development of individual action plans;


• In coordination with the logistics, human resources and the administrative departments, ensuring the respect of HI’s procedures;


• Setting up and managing operational partnership with international and local actors to support the implementation of HI emergency project;


• Regularly reporting on the above activities (statistic, review monthly objectives, etc.) as per requested by your line manager and the HQ Deputy Desk Officer;

PROFILE REQUIRED

• At least 4 years of professional experience


• At least 3 years of professional experience in humanitarian context, preferably in emergency


• Previous experience of Programmes Coordination mandatory


• Proven Project Management and Monitoring skills


• Proven managerial experience


• Proven representation experience


• Strong communication and reporting skills


• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills


• Strong organisational skills


• Experience in the Sahrawi camps or similar context would be a strong asset


• Knowledge of child development stages or background of psychomotor therapist an asset.


• Ability to work under pressure


• French and English mandatory (oral and written)