Head of Mission – Yemen – based in YEM-Sana’a

Première Urgence Internationale

Fixed-term contract – 12 months

Starting date : 04/04/2023

Localisation: YEM-Sana’a

PUI all around the world

With its 40 years of experience, Première Urgence Internationale :

  • Supports close to 6 millions beneficiaries
  • With more than 100 Millions € yearly budget
  • Present in 24 countries, on 5 continents
  • Thanks to the work and commitment of :
  • More than 2500 national staffs
  • Around 225 expatriates from 45 different nationalities
  • And 120 employees at HQ

PUI works in 10 areas of intervention and distinguishes itself by the implementation of an integrated approach in its response. This method aims to identify and understand the needs of all those affected by a crisis. Our teams come together to bring a rapid global response to the basic needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises to help them regain independence and dignity.

Learn more on our history, our values, our areas of intervention.

Focus on our activities in Yemen

In Yemen, PUI is present and active since 2007, providing assistance to the most vulnerable populations of the conflict-affected areas of Yemen, through a community-based integrated approach combining primary and reproductive health, nutrition, psychosocial support, food security and WaSH interventions. As amongst the most vulnerable populations, PUI has a specific focus on children under five, and on pregnant and lactating women.
From 2007 to 2011, PUI supported the primary health system in Hodeidah Governorate. After a one-year stand-by in 2011 due to security reasons, the mission re-started in July 2012 with a health and nutrition approach focusing both on emergency response and on longer-term community-based approach in Hodeidah, and extended its activity in Raymah Governorate in 2013. In 2019, PUI opened a base in the Southern Governorates, in Mokha city (Taizz Governorate). In August 2022, PUI was supporting 18 health facilities, including three Therapeutic Feeding Centers.

What about the Head of Mission – Yemen ?

As Head of Mission, you will be responsible for the smooth functioning and the development of the mission.

For this purpose, you will be responsible for :

Safety & Security: You will be responsible for the safety & security of the mission.

Programmes: You will coordinate the teams and ensure that the programmes implemented on the mission are properly carried out. You will also monitor needs and suggest new operations and development tracks for the mission.

Human Resources: You will ensure that the mission is adequately staffed and supervise the teams (defining objectives, follow-up).

Logistical, administrative and financial monitoring: You will ensure that logistical and administrative practices in place respect PUI procedures and formats and are in compliance with donors’ rules and regulations.

Medical and technical monitoring: You will ensure that medical and technical practices respect PUI’s procedures and formats and are in compliance with PUI’s operational framework and policy.

Representation: You will represent the association in its relations with partners, donors, the media and different authorities.

Relations with Headquarters: You will ensure that information is properly circulated between Headquarters and the field and ensure that due dates are respected.

The challenges that await you :

National team suffered from quick turn over of expatriate team. Remote management is a big challenge. Authorities may sometimes be difficult to handle due to unexpected requests. Security remains volatile, could stay unchanged for a long time, but could change in worse at any time in Hodeidah and Mokha. Constant unrest in Aden city.

What you will need to succeed

  • Training: You hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Humanitarian action: project management, a technical background related to one of our activity sectors, in human resources management, financial management…
  • Experience: Strengthened by minimum 3 years of experience in the field with international NGOs in project coordination, you master international team management, the project cycle and security management. A previous experience as Head of Mission or in an equivalent position would be appreciated. You already worked with Première Urgence Internationale? It would be a definite asset!
  • Skills: You master humanitarian project management and team management, you have a detailed knowledge of donors prerequisites. You also have excellent writing skills.
  • Qualities: You are a good communicator, both in writing and orally. You demonstrate good team spirit, leadership skills and the ability to make decisions, trustworthiness and a sense of responsibility, organisational skills, reactivity, ability to be thorough and to adapt. You have a strong resistance to stress and particularly in unstable circumstances.
  • Languages: English has no secrets for you! All the better, it is mandatory for this position. If you speak Arabic and/or French, it would be a definite asset.

A word from the manager

« If you enjoy working with an experienced, committed and motivated national team – if you feel that your duty is to support and encourage national female colleagues – and if on top of that you are flexible and you have a good sense of humour… come to Yemen! »

PUI will offer you

  • Status : Cadre with a Fixed-Term Contract
  • Monthly Gross Income : 3 330,00 – 3 930,00 EUR depending on your experience in International Solidarity + 50€ per semester of seniority with PUI
  • Insurance including medical coverage and complementary healthcare, 24/24 assistance and repatriation
  • Housing in collective accomodation
  • Daily Living Expenses (“Per Diem”)
  • Break Policy : 5 working days at 2, 4, 8 and 10 months + break allowance
  • Paid Leaves Policy : 5 weeks of paid leaves per year + return ticket every 6 months

Our commitments

Première Urgence Internationale sees diversity of nationalities, genders, beliefs, profiles and statuses among its Human Resources as a major asset for its humanitarian action, and therefore compels itself to the strict observance of the principle of non-discrimination throughout its recruitment process.

Première Urgence Internationale applies a policy of zero tolerance towards exploitation, sexual abuse and mistreatment, in all its forms, of women, children and all other vulnerable persons. It engages all its staff to promote, disseminate and respect the principles set out in its ethical charter.

Please note that Première Urgence Internationale shall not in any case request a financial contribution for administrative costs related to recruitment. Any such information would be fraudulent, please disregard it.

You recognize yourself in this profile and you adhere to our commitments ? You feel ready to take up the challenge and to join PUI great family ?

How to apply

How to apply ?

If you wish to apply, follow this link and fill in the form on our career site.


Deadline: 31 Aug 2023