Yemen - Deputy Country Director for Operations - Adennew

Desired start date : 15/12/2026
Duration of the mission : 6 months
Location : Yemen mission - Based in Aden Coordination with regular travel to bases in Marib, West Coast (Al Mokha) and Taiz

About us

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

SI opened its mission in Yemen in 2017, establishing its coordination office in Aden. Since then, SI has expanded the geographical scope of its interventions, establishing three operational field bases in Al Mokha, Taiz and Marib, with additional operational presence in Hodeidah and Abyan Governorates. The mission has a forecast budget of approximately EUR 11 million for 2027 and comprises approximately 4 expatriate and 70 national staff.

The mission’s objectives for 2027 are to expand into hard-to-reach areas and deliver quality interventions responding to emergency and protracted needs, while enhancing its longer-term resilience and development portfolio to strengthen water and natural resource management, food systems and livelihoods.

SI is currently implementing 11 projects in Yemen, financed by ECHO, UN-OCHA, CDCS, SDC, DG MENA, FCDO and private donors. SI implements emergency and resilience WASH programmes, including water trucking, rehabilitation of water networks, construction of emergency latrines and showers, distribution of hygiene kits, hygiene promotion and cleaning campaigns. Under its FSL portfolio, SI provides unconditional, multipurpose cash assistance to IDPs and host communities and supports livelihoods through income-generating and CASH+ activities.

In 2027 SI intends to further strengthen and expand its longer-term, integrated development portfolio. It’s current development portfolio is supported by DG MENA and SDC funding, to strengthen water and natural resource management, job creation, agroecological practices, food production, financial inclusion and market access. SI will further strengthen its current partnership approach with national and international organisations, building on complementary expertise, local knowledge and shared objectives. This will include strengthening joint programme design and delivery, mutual capacity sharing and the role of national partners in shaping locally led, sustainable responses.

Reports to: Country Director.

Direct reports: Base Managers/ Head of Bases of all operational bases

Coordinates closely with programme and support departments and Security / Humanitarian Access;

Staffing numbers by base: Marib 12/ ALM 24 / TAIZ: 15

SI was among the first humanitarian actors to access the West Coast and continues to operate in hard-to-reach areas close to the frontlines in Marib, Hodeidah and Maqbanah. SI aims to maintain this operational positioning and further expand its presence to reach underserved communities.

About the job

General objective:

Lead SI operations in Marib, Al Mokha/West Coast and Taiz, ensuring quality implementation, resource management, compliance, accountability and follow-up of audits. Supervise Base Managers/Heads of Base and support operational planning. Coordinate closely with programme, support and security teams on access, risk management and programme continuity. Maintain strong security management and negotiation with authorities and tribes. Support partnerships, representation, country strategy and assess the potential opening of a new base in DFA-controlled areas in the North.

The main challenges:

Marib, Taiz and Al Mokha face significant security risks due to proximity to frontlines and the presence of multiple armed groups. Each area is governed by different authorities, making stakeholder engagement and coordination essential. Strengthening and enforcing security management systems is a priority.

The bases benefit from experienced management teams, although some functions oversee multiple locations. Taiz is rapidly expanding its portfolio and operational footprint. For 2026-2027, the context requires a stronger nexus, resilience and consortium-based approach. Planned growth includes humanitarian, resilience and livelihood programmes funded by donors such as ECHO, EU, PRO, CDCS and potentially SDRPY and SDC. Localization remains a key priority, with four new local partners being onboarded and additional partnerships planned with universities and research institutions. Increasing access constraints due to shifting territorial control require sustained negotiations with conflict parties.

Priorities for the first 2-3 months:

1. Review programme delivery, budgets, staffing, access challenges and key commitments across all bases; establish priority action plans and regular operational reviews.
2. Strengthen business continuity and access arrangements with the Country Director and Security/Humanitarian Access teams. Assess options for a potential DFA/northern base, including location, legal requirements, costs, staffing and feasibility.
3. Build staff capacity, particularly to support the nationalisation of Head of Base positions.
4. Expand local and international partnerships to improve access to new operational areas.

Security constraints:

Security conditions are particularly critical in Taiz and Hodeidah, two active frontline areas hosting over 2 million displaced people, including nearly 300,000 recent IDPs. Strict security measures apply across Taiz, West Coast and Marib, with some areas inaccessible to international staff. Curfews generally run from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with slight adjustments in Aden depending on daily security assessments.

Your profile

DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCES :

Diploma : Diploma (BA or MA) in relevant field (Political science, international relations or other)

Experiment in the humanitarian sector : 3-4 years

Experiment on similar positions : 0-2 years

SKILLS :

Technical skills :

1. Knowledge and experience of Yemen or Middle East appreciated
2. Leadership and. Management skills including: Multi-base operational leadership, project-cycle management, resource planning and programme quality; Managing and coacing staff
3. Security management, negotiation skills and Compliance management skills: Access negotiation, context and risk analysis, continuity planning and preparation of new bases, Internal controls and audit coordination

Transversal skills :

1. Multi projects and multi donors management experience
2. Strong interpersonal skills and problem solving capacity, anticipation and self-organization capacities
3. Great drive to achieve results and stress management capacities, willingness to work in complex and violatile environment

Languages :

1. Fluency in written and oral English mandatory
2. Arabic an asset

SI will offer you

A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 3300 gross per month (3000 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 two 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:

Living conditions – Accommodation is in SI rented guesthouse in Al Mokha and Taiz City, with offices being in the same location. Both offices are shard with other INGOs, IMC and MC. The guesthouses are fitted with large rooms – private bathroom/toilet and well air conditioned, including large living areas and sports equipment available. Kitchen and cook are available and a few restaurants are present in town, where staff can go eat out or order. Staff can organize for the meals to be prepared within the guesthouse kitchen or buy from restaurants which are close by. Reliable but limited internet is available in the GH and guarding services are present.