Application Guide
How to Apply for OSS - DIRECTEUR.TRICE PAYS VOLANTE (H/F)
at Solidarités International
🏢 About Solidarités International
Solidarités International (SI) is a humanitarian organization with over 40 years of experience providing emergency aid to victims of armed conflict and natural disasters. They focus on vital needs like water, food, and shelter, and are particularly committed to fighting waterborne diseases, the world's leading cause of death. Working here means joining a dedicated team of 3,200 professionals across 26 countries, all united by a mission to save lives and restore self-sufficiency.
About This Role
As a Flying Country Director, you will be deployed to various missions to fill gaps in country leadership, working under the Regional Director. This role is critical for ensuring continuity and stability in SI's operations, allowing the organization to respond effectively to crises. It offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact in multiple contexts, leveraging your leadership skills to manage teams, oversee programs, and navigate complex humanitarian environments.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day starts with a security briefing and checking in with your team leads on program progress and urgent issues. You might meet with local authorities or humanitarian partners to coordinate efforts, then review financial reports and donor requirements. In the afternoon, you could conduct a field visit to monitor activities, followed by a meeting with the regional desk to align on strategy and address any emerging challenges. Evenings are often spent on reporting or managing unexpected crises.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Solidarités International Is Looking For
- Extensive experience in humanitarian country leadership, with a proven track record of managing multi-sector programs and large teams.
- Strong financial and operational management skills, including budget oversight, logistics, and compliance with donor requirements.
- Excellent crisis management and adaptability, with the ability to rapidly assess situations, make decisions under pressure, and thrive in volatile environments.
- Fluency in French and English (both written and spoken) is essential, as the role requires coordination with headquarters and field teams across different countries.
📝 Tips for Applying to Solidarités International
Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your specific experience in country director roles, especially in emergency or conflict settings, and quantify your achievements (e.g., budget size, team size, number of projects).
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your willingness to be deployed on short notice and your flexibility to travel to various countries, as this is a 'volante' (flying) role.
Demonstrate your knowledge of Solidarités International's core sectors (WASH, food security, livelihoods) and how your experience aligns with their mission.
Highlight your language skills prominently, especially French, as this is a francophone organization and the job description is in French.
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've handled security incidents, staff safety, and negotiations with armed groups or authorities, as these are common challenges in SI's areas of operation.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your readiness for rapid deployment and your ability to quickly integrate into new teams and contexts.', "Highlight your leadership in previous humanitarian responses, particularly in complex emergencies, and how you've ensured program quality and accountability.", 'Mention your experience with donor relations (e.g., ECHO, OFDA, UN) and your ability to secure funding and manage grants effectively.', "Express your commitment to SI's values and your motivation to contribute to their mission of providing essential aid to vulnerable populations."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Visit Solidarités International's website and read their latest annual reports and project updates to understand their current priorities and geographic focus.
- → Research the countries where SI operates, particularly those with ongoing emergencies, to understand the specific challenges and contexts you might face.
- → Look into SI's organizational structure, including the role of 'desks' and how the OSS team is integrated, to show your understanding of their operational model.
- → Review recent news about SI's responses to crises (e.g., in Ukraine, Yemen, or the Sahel) to demonstrate your awareness of their work.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't send a generic application that doesn't mention your specific experience as a Country Director or your willingness to be mobile.
- Avoid focusing only on technical skills; emphasize your leadership and adaptability, as these are crucial for a flying role.
- Don't neglect to highlight your French language proficiency; many candidates are fluent in English but not French, so make this a clear strength.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: September 30, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Solidarités International!