FSL REGIONAL EXPERT

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL

Solidarit s International is currently working in four Middle East countries: Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.

In Iraq, SI opened its mission in February 2017 with emphasis on the Mosul response. Today, with one coordination office in Erbil and two bases in Mosul and Sinjar, the mission has developed a strong expertise in WaSH, leading two consortia, responding both to basic needs and recovery interventions in new areas in line with the shift of context that entail wave of return movements to newly secured area. SI has also recently started livelihood activities in Sinjar areas and aims at developing its FSL programming.

In Lebanon, SI launched its operations in March 2013 in order to address the immediate needs of both Syrian refugee and Lebanese host families also affected by the crisis. The mission is articulated around 2 bases (Zahle and Minieh) with a coordination office in Beirut. Following Beirut blast, the Coordination team expanded to include an operational component with a team dedicated to the response in Beirut. In 2020/2021, while implementing humanitarian interventions in core sectors of expertise (Wash and Shelter), the mission has also transitioned towards more structural and long-term recovery and development projects. SI While Lebanon mission programming is diverse, it is expected to diversify more to include FSL interventions and better respond to the current economic crisis the country is facing.

In Syria, SI works in two main challenging areas (Northeast (NES) and Northwest (NWS) Syria) to provide lifesaving activities to the population affected by the conflict. Main current activities are related to emergency wash (water distribution and rehabilitation), distribution of essential NFI (winterization, hygiene, shelter, new arrival kits, etc.), Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance, public infrastructure rehabilitation (schools, water stations, irrigation canals, health facilities, etc.), private housing unit rehabilitation. The mission is also developing a new sector of intervention in NES: livelihood s activities are currently being launched (support to farmers, small businesses, etc.). The mission has been expanded in 2PHONE_NUMBER through a major consortium with 4 partners led by SI. The consortium is supporting equitable and safe access to essential basic services including WASH, Shelter and Health, for the most vulnerable populations affected by conflict and displacement in Northeast Syria. Syria mission is also leading several other consortia with WASH, health and education partners in NWS and NES.

In Yemen, SI opened its mission in Yemen in 2017, and has today a coordination office in Aden, and two bases in Al-Mokha (sub-office in Khowkha) and Al-Turbah (sub-office in Ta iz). SI Programming in Yemen focuses on: access to safe water and disease prevention through provision of WASH services, addressing immediate food needs of communities at risk of famine, as well as providing timely response to displacements of population and AWD/cholera outbreaks. Its portfolio is primarily composed of WASH Emergency projects, along with unconditional cash distribution, and is now expanding its programming to recovery-type of projects in all sectors (rehabilitation of water points or networks, rehabilitation of schools, implementing an integrated food security program that combines MPCA assistance with livelihoods activities -agriculture, livestock).

General objectives:

• Develop a relevant Regional FSL strategy meeting the region humanitarian needs, linked to the regional strategy and with annual country strategies of the region, and with strategic policies, directions and positioning of the organization;
• Provide a direct operational support in countries when necessary (50% of the time on the field in average);
• Develop strategic partnership with humanitarian and development NGOs/associations (local and international), universities and research institutes, training organisms, private sector, foundations, institutional donors (in close link with SI HQ donors policies and strategies), and any stakeholder that might be relevant for the implementation of quality interventions in the region;
• Identify, propose, design and submit concrete regional projects proposals to potential donors, coordinating closely with the missions and HQ;
• Contribute to institutional knowledge building, expertise building, advocacy and improvement of programmatic practices of SI;
• Facilitate a Community of Practice between FSL teams in the region, promoting horizontal learning between SI missions in Middle East
• Contribute to the visibility and external positioning of SI in the region.

Specific challenges:

• Heavy workload
• Expertise to cover all range of FSL subsectors: Food security / cash / agriculture development & agroforestery / LLH & ERMS
• High expectations regarding environment & Climate Change Adaptation support from missions
• 4 missions having very different needs of support and setup and capacities

Priorities for the 2-3 first months:

• Support misisons in strat revision process
• Support elaboration of FSL / env / CCA regional proposal
• Support position taking of LEB FSL Coo and department setup
• Specific support to Yemen FSL Coo (see PoA) especially regadring CCY
• Follow up launch and implementation of Iraq AFD project