Solidarités International is looking for a Field Coordinator for its humanitarian mission in Tigray, Ethiopia. This is a paid expatriate position: the organisation hires from outside Ethiopia and covers accommodation, home travel, and insurance. The job is based in Adwa, runs as a six-month mission starting on 1 December, and pays from EUR 3,080 gross per month plus a USD 400 monthly per diem.
The mission on the ground in Tigray
Solidarités International is a French humanitarian organisation helping people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters for more than 40 years. Its main work is safe water, sanitation and hygiene, food security, and livelihoods, and it operates in 26 countries with around 3,200 staff.
In Tigray, it runs an emergency programme in the central zone with a local partner, Mums for Mums, supporting communities hit by drought, conflict, and displacement through water and health facility rehabilitation, child malnutrition screening, and cash assistance. The project recently received a cost extension with extra funds, which is why the organisation is hiring a Field Coordinator.
What the Field Coordinator actually does
The Field Coordinator is the official representative of Solidarités International at field level. You propose a strategy for your area based on the humanitarian context and make sure it is implemented once approved. You check that all projects follow the organisation’s charter and all internal and donor procedures.
You mobilise the material and financial resources the programmes need and supervise how they are managed. You coordinate the teams on the ground, and you are responsible for their security in your assigned zone: staff safety and duty of care are among your main duties, not side tasks. You also represent the organisation before local authorities, NGOs, and civil society groups, and you join humanitarian coordination meetings.
Inside the base, you run regular meetings, keep key information flowing, and make sure reports meet quality standards and deadlines. The first two to three months focus on consolidating the base structure, monitoring activities through updated workplans, watching budgets closely, and keeping the base ready for emergencies.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Field Coordinator (M/F) |
| Organisation | Solidarités International |
| Location | Adwa, Tigray Region, Ethiopia |
| Start date | 1 December, 6-month mission |
| Salary | From EUR 3,080 gross per month |
| Per diem | USD 400 monthly |
| Accommodation | Shared guesthouse, costs covered |
| Deadline | 30 November (may close earlier) |
Who should apply — and who should not
The requirements are strict. You need a master’s degree in humanitarian action, international development, social sciences, project management, or a related field, or equivalent field experience. More than five years in the humanitarian sector are required, including three to four years in a similar position.
Strong management skills are essential: leadership, communication, problem-solving, and a solid grasp of finance and logistics. You must be able to work under pressure in a challenging and sometimes insecure environment. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, and knowledge of Amharic or Tigrigna is a strong advantage.
Be honest with yourself before applying. This is not a desk job and not an entry-level opportunity. You will be responsible for the safety of a whole team in an area where the security situation can change quickly and where phone and banking networks can stop working. Without real humanitarian field experience, this role is not for you.
You should apply if you have already coordinated a field base, managed teams in difficult contexts, and handled security management and contingency planning. Candidates with WASH, food security, or emergency response backgrounds will have an edge.
What the salary package is really worth
The official posting states a starting salary of EUR 3,080 gross per month: a EUR 2,800 base plus a 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly. On top of that comes USD 400 per month as a per diem.
The real strength of expat packages is what you do not pay for. SI covers your shared guesthouse and your travel between your home country and Ethiopia. The insurance refunds all healthcare costs plus repatriation and includes war-risk cover. Vaccination and anti-malarial costs are also refunded.
Time off is well structured: seven working days of break every three months with a USD 850 break allowance, plus one extra rest day per month worked. Since housing, travel, and health costs are covered, most of your salary can be saved, a genuine advantage of short field missions like this one.
How to apply
Applications go through the official Solidarités International application page for this vacancy. Send your CV and a cover letter. CV-only applications will not be considered, so the cover letter is mandatory.
The official deadline is 30 November, but the posting warns the vacancy may close earlier. Humanitarian recruitments often move fast when they find the right person, so if you meet the requirements, apply early rather than waiting for the last week.
How to make your application stronger
Your cover letter matters as much as your CV, so do not send a generic one. Address the challenges named in the posting: base management, security preparedness, budget monitoring, and coordination with local authorities, with one or two concrete examples from your past missions. On your CV, put missions, countries, team sizes, and supervised budgets near the top, mention WASH or food security experience, and describe any contingency plans you have managed.
FAQ
Q: Is this a paid position or a volunteer role?
A: It is a salaried expatriate position from EUR 3,080 gross per month plus USD 400 per diem, with accommodation, travel, and insurance covered.
Q: Does the organisation help with relocation?
A: Yes. SI covers accommodation and travel between your home country and the assignment.
Q: Is the duty station safe?
A: The official posting says the security environment in Tigray remains potentially volatile and can change rapidly. The Field Coordinator is responsible for staff security and must follow SI security procedures.
Q: Can I submit only my CV?
A: No. CV-only applications will not be considered. Send both your CV and a cover letter.
Is this a paid position or a volunteer role?
It is a salaried expatriate position from EUR 3,080 gross per month plus USD 400 per diem, with accommodation, travel, and insurance covered.
Does the organisation help with relocation?
Yes. SI covers accommodation and travel between your home country and the assignment.
Is the duty station safe?
The official posting says the security environment in Tigray remains potentially volatile and can change rapidly. The Field Coordinator is responsible for staff security and must follow SI security procedures.
Can I submit only my CV?
No. CV-only applications will not be considered. Send both your CV and a cover letter.
One Comment