Emergency Response Civil Engineer (Shelter)

Job Description

Position Title: Emergency Response Civil Engineer (Shelter)

Duty Station City: Caracas
Duty Station Country: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Grade: UG
Contract Type: Special Short-Term
Recruiting Type: General Service
Vacancy Type: Special Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: until 31 december 2026

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered 

• First-tier candidates: Internal candidates.
• Second tier candidates include: All external candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Migration Agency, is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non‑governmental partners. IOM promotes the orderly and humane management of migration, advances international cooperation on migration issues, supports practical solutions to emerging challenges, and provides humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including internally displaced person.

Responsibilities

1. Detailed technical assessment of affected infrastructure
   •    Conduct detailed structural inspections of homes, public buildings, and community centers.
   •    Classify buildings according to damage level and habitability.
   •    Identify needs for repair, reinforcement, or demolition.
   •    Prepare technical reports and recommendations for rehabilitation.
   •    Support safety certification processes for buildings used by the displaced population. 
2. Provide technical support for shelter programs
   •    Design temporary and transitional shelter solutions.
   •    Assess the suitability of shelters set up during the initial phase of the emergency.
   •    Adapt designs to local climatic, cultural, and construction conditions.
   •    Oversee the construction and improvement of shelters.
   •    Ensure compliance with humanitarian standards and structural safety criteria. 
3. Management of Temporary Sites and Settlements (CCCM)
   •    Assess the physical conditions of camps, temporary settlements, and collective centers.
   •    Design or improve drainage systems, access points, and internal circulation.
   •    Plan expansions or reorganization of spaces when necessary.
   •    Identify risks associated with flooding, landslides, or aftershocks.
   •    Develop proposals for risk reduction within displacement sites. 
4. Construction supervision and quality control
   •    Prepare technical specifications and bill of quantities.
   •    Supervise contractors, foremen, and community work crews.
   •    Verify the quality of materials and construction processes.
   •    Certify physical progress on construction projects.
   •    Prepare supervision and monitoring reports. 
5. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
   •    Incorporate safe and resilient construction criteria.
   •    Promote earthquake-resistant repair techniques.
   •    Identify geological and environmental hazards in the areas where work is being carried out.
   •    Integrate mitigation measures into shelters and settlements.
   •    Support the development of contingency plans for communal sites. 
6. Community Training and Technical Assistance
   •    Train masons, local workers, and community brigades.
   •    Promote safe construction practices.
   •    Develop technical guidance materials for affected families.
   •    Advise beneficiary households on maintenance and basic repairs.
   •    Participate in awareness-raising sessions on risk reduction. 
7. Humanitarian Coordination
   •    Participate in meetings of the Shelter Cluster, CCCM, and infrastructure technical groups.
   •    Coordinate with municipal authorities and response agencies.
   •    Provide technical information to support programmatic decision-making.
   •    Contribute to multisectoral assessments.
   •    Support the prioritization of interventions based on vulnerability and risk. 
8. Technical Information Management
   •    Develop databases on damage and repair needs.
   •    Prepare maps of risks and affected infrastructure.
   •    Generate periodic technical reports for humanitarian coordination.
   •    Maintain a photographic and documentary record of interventions.
   •    Support the monitoring of Shelter and CCCM indicators. 
9. Support for early recovery
   •    Identify homes suitable for repair.
   •    Design low-cost rehabilitation solutions.
   •    Promote “Build Back Safer” approaches.
   •    Support the transition from temporary shelters to more durable solutions.
   •    Contribute to community recovery and resilience strategies. 
    

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience; or,
• High School diploma with five years of relevant professional experience in civil works, construction supervision, infrastructure rehabilitation, or disaster response operations.
• Professional registration/license to practice engineering, where applicable, is desirable.

• Additional training in earthquake-resistant construction, shelter planning, disaster risk reduction (DRR), humanitarian response, project management, or infrastructure rehabilitation will be considered an asset.
   

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Relevant experience in civil engineering, construction management, infrastructure rehabilitation, or supervision of civil engineering projects.
• Experience conducting structural assessments, damage assessments, and technical inspections of buildings and infrastructure
• Experience in preparing technical specifications, bill of quantities, cost estimates, and construction monitoring reports.
• Experience in supervising contractors, skilled labor, and community-based construction activities.
• Experience in the design, rehabilitation, or construction of housing, shelters, community infrastructure, or public facilities.
• Experience in emergency, post-disaster, recovery, reconstruction, or resilience-building programs is highly valued.
• Experience supporting projects related to shelter, settlements, camp management (CCCM), WASH, or infrastructure in humanitarian contexts will be considered an asset.
• Experience coordinating with government authorities, local communities, implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and other humanitarian actors.
• Previous experience working with displaced populations and communities affected by natural disasters is a plus.
•  Previous experience working with international organizations, humanitarian agencies, government institutions, or development partners in multicultural environments is a plus
   

Skills

• Strong knowledge of civil engineering principles, construction management, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of structural assessment methodologies and post-earthquake damage evaluation.
• Knowledge of seismic-resistant construction techniques and "Build Back Safer" approaches.
• Familiarity with humanitarian shelter standards, Sphere Standards, and disaster risk reduction principles.
• Ability to prepare technical drawings, designs, specifications, schedules of quantities, and monitoring reports.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and other engineering design software.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, engineering reports, and construction documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in complex emergency environments.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, including the ability to convey technical information to non-technical audiences
   

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in Spanish is required (oral and written)

Desirable: Working knowledge of English

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. 

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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