Response Representative

Country: Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Organization: Solidar Suisse Closing date: 22 Aug 2026 Position Title: Response Representative Type of contract: Consultancy contract (100%) Duty Station: Caracas, Venezuela, with occasional travel within the country Duration: Asap, initially for six (6) months, with potential for extension Reports to: Desk Officer, Solidar Suisse Headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland BACKGROUND INFORMATION Solidar Suisse is a Swiss non-governmental organisation founded in 1936 (formerly Swiss Labour Assistance), committed to promoting social justice, decent work, and equal opportunities worldwide. Today, Solidar Suisse implements humanitarian and development programmes in 16 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. In Venezuela, Solidar Suisse has initiated a humanitarian response following the earthquake on 24 June 2026. Through a strong partnership-based approach, Solidar Suisse seeks to support the most vulnerable populations affected by the disaster through emergency relief, recovery, and rehabilitation interventions. The organisation is committed to localisation and works closely with national and local actors to ensure sustainable, context-appropriate, and effective humanitarian assistance. POSITION SUMMARY The Response Representative serves as Solidar Suisse's primary representative in Venezuela and is responsible for the strategic development, positioning, oversight, and growth of the humanitarian response. The Response Representative leads partnership development and management, donor engagement, programme design and quality assurance, coordination with humanitarian stakeholders, and the gradual establishment of Solidar Suisse's operational presence in the country. Working closely with Headquarters in Zurich, the Response Representative ensures that programmes are relevant, accountable, technically sound, compliant with donor requirements, and aligned with Solidar Suisse's humanitarian strategy and localisation approach. MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. Strategic Leadership and Representation • Advise Headquarters on humanitarian developments, operational opportunities, risks, strategic priorities, and positioning in Venezuela. • Represent Solidar Suisse vis-à-vis relevant government entities, UN agencies, donors, international organisations, national NGOs, and other external stakeholders. • Build and maintain strategic relationships with key humanitarian and development actors. • Participate in relevant coordination mechanisms, including clusters, sector working groups, donor meetings, and other coordination forums. • Contribute to the development and implementation of Solidar Suisse's strategy in Venezuela. B. Partnership Development and Localisation • Identify, assess, establish, and manage partnerships with national and local organisations. • Lead partner identification, due diligence processes, capacity assessments, and partnership performance reviews. • Promote localisation through equitable partnerships and capacity strengthening initiatives. • Provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job support to partner organisations as required. • Ensure partner compliance with Solidar Suisse policies, donor requirements, and agreed partnership arrangements. C. Programme Development, Quality and Oversight • Support programme design, strategic planning, and implementation oversight. • Monitor project implementation and provide guidance to partners to ensure quality, relevance, and accountability. • Conduct field monitoring visits and support adaptive programme management. • Ensure that lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into programme implementation and future project design. • Provide strategic and technical oversight to programme development and implementation and mobilise specialised expertise where required. D. Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation • Conduct donor mapping and identify funding opportunities. • Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential donors. • Promote Solidar Suisse as a reliable and credible humanitarian partner. • Lead or contribute to the development of high-quality concept notes, proposals, and project amendments in collaboration with Headquarters. E. Operational Development and Management • Support the establishment and gradual expansion of Solidar Suisse's operational presence in Venezuela. • Contribute to the development of operational systems, procedures, and organisational structures. • Support recruitment, onboarding, and supervision of national staff as required. • Ensure effective coordination between partners, consultants, and Headquarters. • Provide overall management and oversight of Solidar Suisse's activities and development in Venezuela. F. Financial Oversight and Compliance • Monitor project budgets and expenditures in coordination with partners and Headquarters. • Ensure sound financial management and internal control systems in line with Solidar Suisse policies and donor requirements. • Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, donor regulations, and organisational procedures. • Identify financial, operational, programmatic, and reputational risks and develop appropriate mitigation measures. G. Security, Safeguarding and Duty of Care • Monitor security and access developments relevant to programme implementation. • Ensure adherence to applicable safety, security, safeguarding, and duty-of-care measures in coordination with Headquarters. • Promote and ensure compliance with Solidar Suisse's safeguarding, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Code of Conduct, and accountability policies. • Provide regular risk and security updates to Headquarters. H. Reporting and Communication • Maintain regular communication and close coordination with the Desk Officer in Zurich. • Provide regular situation updates, strategic analyses, technical briefs, and operational reports. • Contribute to donor and organisational reporting processes as required. • Support organisational learning through timely sharing of information, challenges, and good practices. I. Other Duties • Undertake other duties reasonably required to support the successful implementation and development of Solidar Suisse's humanitarian response in Venezuela. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Education • Advanced university degree in humanitarian action, international development, social sciences, political sciences, international relations, or a related field. Professional Experience • Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian and/or development programming. • Demonstrated experience in partnership management and localisation approaches. • Proven experience in donor engagement, fundraising, and proposal development. • Experience representing organisations in coordination mechanisms and external forums. • Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles, standards, and best practices. • Experience in emergency response and start-up operations is considered a strong asset. • Previous experience in Latin America, preferably Venezuela, is highly desirable. Skills and Competencies • Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills. • Excellent networking, negotiation, and representation skills. • Demonstrated ability to work independently in complex and evolving environments. • Strong programme management and organisational skills. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Languages • Professional fluency in Spanish and English, both written and spoken. How to apply EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Solidar Suisse is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnic or social background, religion, or nationality. HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates should submit their CVs along with a motivation letter to lukas.frohofer@solidar.ch. Due to the urgency of the position, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications submitted in languages other than English, or from candidates who do not meet the above-mentioned requirements, will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Solidar Suisse reserves the right to close the recruitment process before the application deadline should a suitable candidate be identified.