Desired start date: 01/04/2025
Duration of the mission: 6 Months
Location: Damascus - Syria
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.
Solidarités International operates in Syria since 2013 with a very diversified programs portfolio in Hassake & Raqqa (NES), Aleppo and Idlieb (NWS) governorates. To achieve its humanitarian objectives the mission employs 350 staffs and developed meaningful partnerships with international and local NGOs.
In NES, SI is one of the leading agencies in the WASH sector, responding to emergencies, protracted situations and recovery needs. The strategy is complemented with a significant FSL component, addressing market rehabilitations, business development and agriculture.
In NWS, SI operates in Idleb and Nothern-Aleppo with large WASH programs, with a focus in camps settings for IDP populations, and rehabilitation programs, especially after the earthquake. SI also responds to new emergencies, including regular displacements, natural disasters and epidemics.
SI is also heavily involved in humanitarian coordination, both at strategic and technical level with relevant fora and stakeholders, including key donors.
Since regime's change, SI is redefining it operational model as well as well as its geographical scope and programmatic priorities. The organizational set up is being deeply reviewed with a Damascus-based coordination office, the reshaping of the base level structure. Assessments are being carried out in new areas including rural Damascus, South, Aleppo and Hama and new partnerships are being envisioned. This is to ensure relevance and efficiency, maximize impact through secured access and more generally ensuring the mission remains fit for purpose in a quickly evolving environment. And this on-going transformation will be at the core of the new CD responsibilities.
General objective:
The finance coordinator directs and coordinates all administrative, accounting, and financial services of the mission. He/she ensures the mission’s financial balance and compliance with Solidarités International procedures, donor requirements, and local laws. The coordinator serves as the primary point of reference for the mission and as the liaison between headquarters and the mission on all management, accounting, and budget matters.
Main Tasks
Socio-economic analysis: Identify administrative partners and monitor exchange rates and prices.
Team management: Define personnel needs in collaboration with administrators, recruit team members according to available resources and the SI strategy, train and appraise the financial team, coordinate and supervise team activities, and lead team meetings.
Financial, accounting, and budget management: Define expenditure cycles and authorization thresholds, consolidate and verify monthly accounts, monitor allocation boards, prepare and revise financial programming, link budget use to activity progress, monitor operating costs, train senior staff on budget follow-up, assist with audits, prepare financial sections of proposals, and integrate donor contracts per SI procedures.
Administrative management: Negotiate and manage partnership contracts, supervise paper and digital records, coordinate quarterly archive submissions, and manage legal risks through contracted support.
Cash management: Manage cash flows between headquarters and the mission, ensure bases receive supplies, secure cash boxes and coffers, compile and monitor cash flow forecasts, and report to headquarters.
Reporting and communication: Ensure regular financial reporting, maintain in-country registration compliance, organize coordination meetings, produce donor-compliant reports, maintain relationships with national authorities, monitor employment laws, represent SI in administrative meetings, and act as the link between headquarters and the field on finance matters.
Security constraints:
The position is based in Damascus with travel to NES and NWS. Finance Co should follow security rules in all bases.
DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE
Experience in the humanitarian sector: +5 Years
Experience on a similar position: +5 Years
SKILLS
Technical Skills:
Financial management (budgeting, monitoring, reporting)
Accounting skills, including software use
Advanced Excel skills
Transversal Skills:
Strong communication, time management, and team management
Autonomous, organized, able to prioritize and work under pressure
Strong computer skills
Languages:
English
Arabic (added value)
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 750 + 100 USD as a transportation allowance.
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 break 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:
Living conditions in Damascus are quite good, comfortable, and safe. The expats are staying in the shared accommodation, within walking distance of the the office.
Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!
Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.
Thank you for your understanding.
To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org
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Solidarités International (SI) est déterminé à prévenir et à combattre tout type d’abus – tout acte d’exploitation, d’abus et/ou de harcèlement sexuels (SEAH) à l’encontre des membres des communautés bénéficiaires ou de ses collaborateurs et collaboratrices, atteinte aux personnes et/ou aux biens, fraude, corruption, conflit d’intérêt non déclaré, financement d’activités portant atteinte aux droits de l’homme - qui pourrait être perpétré dans le cadre de ses interventions. SI applique une tolérance zéro à l’égard de tout type d’abus, particulièrement des actes de SEAH.
Solidarités International est un employeur équitable qui combat toute forme de discrimination. SI ne demandera jamais une rétribution quelconque en vue de participer à un processus de recrutement.
Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH.
Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.
