Project manager and technical advisor for protectionnew

Duty station: Caracas or La Guaira, with regular travel to project locations

Contract type: Consultancy contract (100%)

Contract duration: 1.1.2027 – 31.12.2027

Reporting to: Humanitarian Desk, Solidar Suisse Headquarters, Switzerland

Eligibility: Open to Venezuelan nationals and other applicants who are legally authorised to work in Venezuela and are currently residing in the country (no relocation support)

Background

Solidar Suisse is a Swiss non-governmental organisation founded in 1936, formerly known as Swiss Labour Assistance. The organisation is committed to promoting social justice, decent work and equal opportunities and implements humanitarian and development programmes across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Following the earthquake that struck Venezuela in June 2026, Solidar Suisse launched an initial humanitarian response to support affected communities. Building on this first intervention, Solidar Suisse is now preparing a new humanitarian project focusing on WASH and Protection in Caracas and La Guaira.

In line with Solidar Suisse’s commitment to locally led humanitarian action, the project will be implemented in close partnership with two Venezuelan organisations with strong expertise in WASH and Protection respectively. Each partner will lead implementation in its core sector, while contributing complementary expertise to the overall response. Solidar Suisse will retain overall responsibility for the project and provide oversight, coordination and quality assurance through a lean in-country structure.

Position Purpose

Solidar Suisse is seeking a qualified and adaptable Project Manager and Technical Advisor for Protection to oversee the effective implementation of its humanitarian project in Venezuela.

The position is responsible for the overall management, coordination, monitoring and quality assurance of the project, as well as for providing technical guidance on Protection. The position holder will supervise two Solidar Suisse project staff and will work closely with both local partner organisations, supporting them in planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, compliance and organisational coordination.

The successful applicant must be comfortable working across different areas of responsibility and responding flexibly to changing project needs. The position requires a hands-on professional who can combine project management, partner accompaniment, technical guidance, team supervision, external coordination and field-level problem-solving.

Main Responsibilities

Project Management and Implementation

• Lead and oversee the overall implementation of the humanitarian project in accordance with the approved proposal, budget, workplan and partnership agreements.
• Ensure that project activities are implemented on time, within budget and in accordance with agreed objectives, indicators and quality standards.
• Coordinate implementation across the Protection and WASH components of the project.
• Maintain a comprehensive overview of project progress, challenges, risks, expenditure and required follow-up.
• Identify implementation gaps or delays and work with the partner organisations and Solidar Suisse Headquarters to develop practical solutions.
• Ensure that project implementation complies with donor requirements, Solidar Suisse policies, humanitarian principles and applicable standards.
• Coordinate project revisions and adjustments when required.
• Ensure that appropriate project documentation and records are maintained.

Partner Coordination and Support

• Serve as the principal operational focal point for the two local implementing partners.
• Maintain regular communication and coordination with partner management and project teams.
• Guide and support the partners throughout project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Review partner workplans, activity plans, reports and other project documentation.
• Support partners in meeting agreed programme, financial, safeguarding, accountability and compliance requirements.
• Facilitate joint planning, reflection and problem-solving processes.
• Identify partner support and capacity-strengthening needs and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
• Promote a respectful, transparent and collaborative partnership approach.
• Ensure that roles, responsibilities, expectations and communication channels between Solidar Suisse and the partners remain clear throughout implementation.

Technical Guidance on Protection

• Provide technical guidance and oversight for the project’s Protection component.
• Support the Protection partner in developing and adapting technically sound implementation approaches.
• Review Protection activities, tools and project documentation and provide practical recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure that Protection activities are implemented in line with humanitarian principles, relevant Protection standards, safeguarding requirements and the do-no-harm approach.
• Support the integration of protection principles across the wider project, including the WASH component.
• Promote safe, inclusive and accessible programming for different population groups.
• Support appropriate accountability, participation, confidentiality and referral practices.
• Identify technical quality concerns and work with the partner to establish and monitor corrective actions.

Monitoring, Quality Assurance and Reporting

• Monitor project performance against the approved results framework, indicators, targets, workplan and budget.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to project locations and partner activities.
• Assess the quality and relevance of implementation and agree on follow-up actions with the respective partner.
• Support the collection, verification and analysis of project monitoring information.
• Ensure that monitoring processes consider programme quality, accountability, safeguarding and protection-related risks.
• Review narrative reports and supporting documentation submitted by the partners.
• Prepare accurate and timely internal updates and contribute to donor reporting.
• Document implementation challenges, lessons learned, good practices and recommendations.
• Promptly report significant programme, financial, operational, compliance, safeguarding or security concerns to Solidar Suisse Headquarters.

Financial and Compliance Oversight

• Monitor project expenditure in cooperation with the relevant partner and Solidar Suisse finance colleagues.
• Follow up on expenditure against the approved budget and flag potential over- or underspending.
• Support partners in understanding and meeting financial, procurement and documentation requirements.
• Review the consistency between implemented activities, reported results and related expenditure.
• Contribute to budget forecasting, financial planning and project revisions.
• Support compliance with contractual obligations, donor conditions, partnership agreements and internal control requirements.

Team Management

• Directly supervise two Solidar Suisse staff members.
• Establish clear roles, priorities and performance expectations.
• Provide regular guidance, feedback, coaching and practical support.
• Ensure effective coordination and information-sharing within the project team.
• Promote a professional, respectful, accountable and collaborative working environment.
• Support staff development and address performance or operational challenges in a timely manner.

Coordination and Representation

• Represent Solidar Suisse in relevant coordination meetings, technical working groups and consultations.
• Maintain professional relationships with local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant Protection and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Coordinate with relevant WASH actors when required to support coherent implementation across both project components.
• Monitor contextual and humanitarian developments that may affect the project.
• Provide Solidar Suisse Headquarters with regular updates on the operating context, implementation environment, risks and emerging needs.
• Contribute to strengthening Solidar Suisse’s presence, relationships and understanding of the humanitarian context in Venezuela.

Risk Management, Safeguarding and Accountability

• Monitor contextual, operational, programme, safeguarding and security risks affecting project implementation.
• Support the development and application of practical risk mitigation measures.
• Ensure that partners understand and apply relevant safeguarding and accountability requirements.
• Promote accessible and confidential feedback and complaints mechanisms.
• Escalate serious concerns or incidents through the appropriate reporting channels.
• Support safe and conflict-sensitive implementation across all project activities.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to organisational learning and the further development of Solidar Suisse’s humanitarian engagement in Venezuela.
• Undertake other reasonable duties necessary for the effective implementation of the project and humanitarian response.
• Respond flexibly to changing project priorities and operational needs.

Candidate Profile

• University degree in humanitarian action, international development, social sciences, human rights, law, social work or another relevant field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian or development programming.
• Demonstrated experience managing humanitarian or development projects, including workplanning, monitoring, budget follow-up and reporting.
• Relevant experience in Protection programming and a sound understanding of protection principles, safeguarding, accountability and the do-no-harm approach.
• Experience working with and supporting national or local civil society organisations.
• Experience guiding partners and strengthening programme implementation through practical accompaniment, mentoring and constructive follow-up.
• Previous staff supervision or team management experience.
• Experience with donor-funded projects and related quality, reporting and compliance requirements.
• Ability to coordinate different technical and operational components within one project.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and respond constructively to changing circumstances.
• Willingness and ability to undertake regular field travel.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work respectfully with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish and English, both written and spoken.
• Good command of Microsoft Office applications.
• Good knowledge of the Venezuelan humanitarian and institutional context.