Shelter Officer

Shelter  Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Shelter Officer conducts comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, Public Health, WASH, administration and supply. To ensure the most effective response, both quantitative and qualitative data should be gathered on the profile/needs and living conditions of both the displaced population and host community. In a first instance, the incumbent ensures that UNHCR Field operations are supported in carrying out shelter and settlement needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns.
The Shelter Officer also ensures that the development of shelter strategies takes into account the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection available resources and skills. In addition, the incumbent ensures that shelter responses evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from local building practices and materials.
Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis or residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should at all times minimize the risk of eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions.
Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent in this post include shelter planning/design and construction monitoring including remote monitoring, therefore the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture or a related discipline
The Shelter Officer maintains regular contact with programme, protection and field staff in country in order to ensure technical support related to shelter and construction activities.

Close and regular contact is also maintained with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, Shelter Cluster members, National and International NGOs and Government Authorities. The incumbent also discuss matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision.

The Shelter Officer is also required to liaise on a regular basis with the Regional Support Centre/ Regional representative and the Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva.


FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

- UNHCR Shelter programme is implemented based on updated needs assessment and through direct implementation and competent implementing partners who receive proper guidance.
- Gaps and overlaps in UNHCR's shelter programme as well as identified unmet needs are addressed.
- Shelter activities are oriented to address priority needs.
- UNHCR Field operations are supported in carrying out shelter and settlement needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns and displacement. The development of shelter strategies is supported, taking into account the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection available resources and skills.
- Selection of settlements is based on approved technical guidelines, considering relevant factors such as land availability, accessibility, security, water resources and absorption capacity.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

- Ensure that UNHCR Field operations are supported in carrying out shelter needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns and displacement.
- Contribute to development of country level shelter strategies which are framed by UNHCR¿s Global Strategy for Settlement and Shelter and take into consideration the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure.
- Provide clear guidance on standards for shelter and settlement, including minimum emergency standards to meet basic and essential needs.
- Organise and provide trainings in construction techniques and practices leading to more durable solutions and drawing from local building practices and materials.
- Together with UNHCR's implementing partners and Shelter Cluster members, compile, analyse and map available information on shelter options in country taking into account relevant policies adopted by the Government. When planning shelter works, ensure that the technical component reflects UNHCR minimum standards for the provision of emergency and other types of shelter assistance and is within the budgetary requirements. Due consideration should be given to standards in other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation.
- Ensure the shelter strategy is periodically reviewed to reflect the evolving situation in country and progressively transitioning to more sustainable shelter solutions. This process should be done in close collaboration with the beneficiaries and the host Government while bearing in mind the shelter needs of people upon their eventual return to their country of origin.
- Ensure that specifications, bills of quantities and drawings are produced in a technically sound and standardised manner and monitor programme performance to ensure works are implemented according to plans and completed within the designated timeframe.
- Promote the sustainability of technical interventions through local capacity building and self-help in collaboration with local partners in the field. Ensure that local communities have been consulted on all activities so as not to create unnecessary tension between the displaced and host populations.
- In consultation with UNHCR¿s implementing partner and local communities themselves, identify the need for community based Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) that can benefit the local and displaced communities.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

- Intervene with implementing partners on Shelter issues.
- Decide priorities in the designing of implementation plan.
- Advise on implementing partners' selection.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all shelter standard operating procedures.
- Enforce technical strategies, protocols and guidelines.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.  Define the educational background, the relevant job experience and the language(s) that are essential to perform the work of the position.
- University degree in Architecture or Civil-Engineering.
- At least 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree) relevant experience in the technical/ engineering field.
- Prior experience of implementing shelter and settlement projects in humanitarian context and large scale emergencies coordinating with operational partners governmental technical departments.
- Prior experience in designing and implementing a shelter strategy, including host family situations, collective shelter and camp settings, in emergency while considering the transition to more sustainable solutions.
- Project formulation, planning, supervision and management skills.
- Proficient in basic computer software¿s, including engineering (AutoCAD) and site planning design tools (GPS).
- Previous involvement in implementation processes (including development of bill of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations, etc.)
- Experience of construction management (including site supervision, monitoring, quality control, evaluation etc.) including application of participatory approaches to facilitate active participation of communities into the project cycle and into the construction process.
- Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programmes.
- Experience in building on existing local capacity and transfer knowledge as appropriate.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES.  Describe any experience or knowledge that would be an asset, such as: UNHCR Learning Programmes, other training, additional languages, Field/HQs experience, etc.
- Knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards, as well as standards related to protection, WASH, environment and land use.
- Knowledge of a range of shelter assistance options, including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of the refugees is taken into account while designing, developing and implementing shelter options.
- Familiarity with and considerable Field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation and on humanitarian operations.
- Ability making the linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes will be an added advantage.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Addendum 2 to the March 2017 Compendium is Wednesday 31 May 2017 (midnight Geneva time).