Desired start date: 15/03/2026
Duration of the mission: 6 months
Location: Cabo Delgado
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 (SI) has been providing life-saving assistance in northern Mozambique since March 2019, initially responding to Cyclone Idai. As the crisis in Cabo Delgado escalated, SI began operations in Mueda in July 2021 and progressively expanded to other northern districts including Nangade, Muidumbe, Palma and, more recently, Mocímboa da Praia. By 2022, SI had established a coordination office in Pemba and operational bases in Mueda and Palma.
Following the closure of the Palma base, SI opened a new base in Mocímboa da Praia in July 2023 to support urgent returnee needs. Today, SI operates from Pemba, Mueda and Mocímboa da Praia, covering not only the northern districts (Mueda, Mocímboa da Praia, Nangade, Muidumbe and Palma) but also additional districts further south, such as Metuge, Chiúre, Mecúfi and Ancuabe.
At the beginning of 2025, major BHA funding cuts forced a significant restructuring, reducing the mission from approximately 140 to around 50 staff and prompting a reorganisation of operations to maintain essential activities. This restructuring coincided with a deterioration of the security situation in Cabo Delgado, with renewed attacks, increased displacement and unpredictable access since mid-2024.
Despite these challenges, SI continues to deliver principled, needs-based assistance across Cabo Delgado with the support of key donors such as ECHO, SDC, CDCS, IFSAN, UNICEF and WFP.
Projects and activities include:
- Rapid Response Mechanism to shocks (conflict, natural disasters, epidemics): multisectoral WASH / Food / Shelter-NFI assistance through CVA or in-kind distributions
- WASH: rehabilitation of large water networks, water points construction/rehabilitation, WASH in schools and health facilities, rainwater harvesting systems, sanitation and hygiene promotion
- FSL: seeds and equipment distributions, support to cooperatives, cash-for-work and income-generating activities
- Shelter/NFI: mainly emergency shelter and NFI through RRM
Around 50 staff in total across the mission.
SI operates 3 bases:
• Pemba (Coordination / Operational Base): 27 staff
• Mueda (Operational Sub-base): 19 staff
• Mocímboa da Praia (Operational Sub-base): 4 staff
The Area Coordinator is based in Pemba and covers operations in Mueda and Mocímboa da Praia.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
The Area Coordinator is responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of Solidarités International’s operations in Cabo Delgado, ensuring the effective, high-quality implementation of programmes, with particular oversight of programmatic and security aspects. S/he ensures compliance with SI procedures and donor requirements, supports operational continuity, and works closely with mission coordinators to strengthen field operations and coordination.
THE MAIN CHALLENGES:
1- Major mission restructuring following BHA funding cuts, with reduced staffing and evolving organisational set-up
2- Potential internal and external tensions linked to activity reductions and staff downsizing
3- Volatile and unpredictable security context requiring daily monitoring and rapid decision-making
4- Multi-base coordination (Pemba, Mueda, MdP) with limited resources
5- High workload related to transition between project closures and new project start-ups
6- Building/reinfocing relatioship with local authorities is time consuming
PRIORITIES FOR THE 2/3 FIRST MONTHS:
1- Stabilise operations and coordination following the restructuring
2- Ensure close follow-up of ongoing projects in Pemba, Mueda and Mocímboa da Praia
3- Support the closure of ending projects and prepare the start-up of new projects (Feb–Mar 2026)
4- Adapt and strengthen security management, SOPs and access coordination
5- Clarify roles, workflows and coordination mechanisms between bases and departments
6- Support proposal development with Project Managers and Grants Department
7- Strengthen representation/collaboration with provincial and district authorities and key partners
SECURITY CONSTRAINTS:
Security level 2 in Pemba with limited constraints.
Mueda and Mocímboa da Praia are security level 3, with more restrictions. Movements and activities depend on local conditions and Security Department guidance.
The security situation remains volatile, with unpredictable insurgent attacks and evolving dynamics involving armed actors. Close monitoring of the context is required for daily movement validation. Travel to field bases is mainly via UNHAS flights.
DIPLOMA AND EXPERIENCE:
Master in humanitarian action, development, international law or any other technical area related to the humanitarian sector
Experience in the humanitarian sector: 3 - 4 years
Experience on a similar position: 0 - 2 years
SKILLS:
TECHNICAL SKILLS
1. Strong Project Cycle Management skills and supervision of Project Managers
2. Solid security management and access coordination capacities
3. Strong writing, synthesis and reporting skills
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
1. Leadership and team management in complex and constrained environments
2. Strong planning, prioritisation and organisational skills
3. Ability to represent SI with authorities, partners and coordination bodies
LANGUAGE:
1. English (mandatory)
2. Portuguese (strong asset)
3. Spanish or Italian (asset)
A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 3190 gross per month (2900 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750.
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:
Pemba is a coastal city with good living conditions for expatriates, including stable water and electricity and reliable 4G internet. There is no curfew, and walking is allowed during the day. SI provides comfortable office and guesthouse facilities close to amenities.
The position is based in Pemba, with frequent visits to Mueda (minimum 50% presence). Field bases are reachable by UNHAS flight in less than one hour. Living conditions in field locations are basic but functional.
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.