Desired start date: 15/01/2025
Duration of the mission: 12 months
Location: Kyiv

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 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 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.

About the mission

Since the beginning of the « full scale invasion » of Ukraine by Russian Forces, SI has been responding to the needs of the population in the territories under the control of the Government of Ukraine. While the programming was rightly very much geared towards immediate emergency response in 2022 and 2023, 2024 was a transitional year towards a more emergency and recovery balanced programming , In 2025 SI programmatic strategic will revolve around 2 axis, axis 1 being about responding to both acute and chronic emergencies and axis 2 being about contributing to create conducive conditions for safe and dignified stay and return in stabilized areas (in support to local authorities for them to be able to deliver a better WASH public service).

SI in Ukraine works in the sectors of WASH and SHELTER and promote an integrated approach whenever feasible and relevant. SI is also committed to transfer a portion of their activities to local partners. In 2025 the set-up will be comprised of (roughly) 105 staffs, including 20 expatriates. The activities are implemented in 6 oblasts in the south and the east of Ukraine, and coordinated through 3 field bases in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mikolaiv. The coordination office is located in Kyiv. Donors in 2025 will be BHA, CDCS, AFD, ECHO (and likely SDC).

General objective:

Roll-out the shifting programmatic strategy, designed around the concepts of strongholds (do less to fdo better in fewer locations), fostered quality (needs driven activities based on SI first hand information, activities informed by strong needs assessments throughout the year, efficient and pragmatic MEAL, etc…), NEXUS (link between emergency and recovery activities), greater impact (through integration), partnership (with local operators)

The main challenges:

New program organisation (national unique multisectoral PM on each base + PM trainer + DFC-P), New projects starting (including very recovery oriented ones, with unusual donors such as the AFD), partnerships with local operators, turn over at the coordination in January 2025.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Disseminate the new programmatic strategy, Oversee partnerships making process, organize program team around clear RACI, Ensure launching of new projects (CDCS, AFD, SDC) and closure of ECHO projects.

A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 2860 gross per month (2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.

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

Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.

Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds 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:

Very comfortable. Office and GH located in the very center of Kyiv close to all commodities (restaurants, bars, supermarkets, shops, ATMs). Movements in taxi, metro allowed in the green zone. Curfew from 12 am to 5 am.

Few security constraint – context can evolve quickly but currently quite quiet