Shelter  Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Architecture or Civil-Engineering plus minimum 6 years  relevant experience in the technical/ engineering field. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- 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.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- 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.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Shelter  Officer positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

- University degree in shelter-related sciences (e.g. civil engineering or architecture);
- Extensive knowledge of shelter and camp-related technical guidelines and standards as well as rules for disaster-prone areas;
- Experience in implementing shelter and settlement projects in a humanitarian context, including the application of participatory approaches to facilitate active participation of communities in the project cycle and in the construction process;
- Previous involvement in all technical stages of the shelter implementation processes (including the development of bill of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations etc.);
- Experience in construction management (including site supervision, monitoring, quality control, evaluation etc.);
- Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for the development of shelter programmes;
- Experience in coordinating with implementing and operational partners as well as governmental technical departments;
- Experience in designing and implementing a shelter strategy, taking into consideration the transition from emergency response to sustainable solutions;
- Strong managerial skills and ability to coach and develop the skills of locally recruited staff and partners;
- Solid knowledge of relevant software applications (MS Office, AutoCAD);
- Reporting skills in English;
The Shelter Officer will oversee the shelter programme in eastern Ukraine, liaise with international shelter partners and sector partners as well as monitor, evaluate, report on progress and analyse impact.  The Shelter Officer will have a functional supervisory and consultative as well as coordinating role with five UNHCR Shelter Associates in the various Field Offices.  The incumbent of the post will be required to travel to Non-Government Controlled Areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as well as all shelter rehabilitation sites in areas under government control. Ukraine has suffered from the consequences of four years of conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.  This has led to the internal displacement of an estimated 1.5 million people, according to the Government of Ukraine. UNHCR has been providing protection and material assistance to the most vulnerable IDPs and other conflict-affected communities at risk of displacement.
UNHCR and other humanitarian partners have started engaging in early recovery activities.  Yet, fighting persists along the line of contact causing new infrastructure damage and civilian casualties.  This has led to a situation where humanitarian needs continue, but recovery and development programmes are starting on the government-controlled side. 
While UNHCR has received generous donor funding, the situation as of 2018 will become more challenging as various major donors have announced significant reductions in their contributions towards humanitarian programs and agencies, including UNHCR. 
The position will be based at SO Sloviansk and supervised by the Head of Office. Frequent travels throughout the eastern region, including to the conflict-affected parts of the country, are required. Sub-Office Sloviansk oversees the implementation of the UNHCR operation through four field offices, as well as partner organizations, throughout eastern Ukraine, including non-government controlled areas of the country. The conflict has affected the socio-economic situation of the country. Sloviansk is a small city in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, serving as the administrative center of the Sloviansk Rayon (district).  The city was one of the battlegrounds in the early stages of the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, and was retaken by Ukrainian forces in July 2014.  The current population is estimated to be around 117,500, including a large number of IDPs from non-government controlled areas. International staff are allowed to rent private residential accommodation; however, the real estate market is not well developed. GSM coverage is available country-wide; the Office will provide a local SIM card.  Sloviansk is classified as a category "C" non-family duty station, with an R&R cycle of 8 weeks. The R&R destination is Kyiv (category "A" duty station).
Food and non-food items are available in local shops and chains of supermarkets. Hard currencies such as USD and EUR are easily converted into the local currency, the Hryvnia (UAH). Healthcare facilities are available in Sloviansk; however, there are no facilities for specialist care.  Modern hospitals and specialized clinics are located in Dnipro (243km) and Kharkiv (215 km). Within Sloviansk, public transportation is provided by a trolleybus network consisting of two permanent routes and one summer route. Sloviansk suffers water shortages due to ageing and damaged infrastructure. Power supply is relatively stable but power cuts are occurring.
Road, rail and air transportation are well developed for travel throughout the government-controlled part of Ukraine. Fast train (Intercity) connections are available and allow travelers to reach Kyiv in 6 hours (665 km). Flights are available to Kyiv as well as to European destinations from Dnipro international airport, about 243 km/ 4 hours away from Sloviansk by train, as well as from Kharkiv international airport (215 km/ 3 hours by road). The political context in Ukraine remains sensitive. The security situation differs in various regions: it is calm in the central and Western regions, while serious security precautions should be taken when travelling to the conflict area in eastern Ukraine.  Though officially a ceasefire is in place, there are daily violations, mainly consisting of shelling and small arms fire along the contact line separating government-controlled areas from the non-government controlled areas in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Along this line there are five checkpoints controlled by the government forces and armed groups. Cases of detention, threatening or kidnapping for hours of individuals, including foreigners, have been reported in the past at separatist checkpoints. The use of armored vehicles for travel within the conflict zone is mandatory.
In general, visitors to the country are highly advised to be alerted to the possibility of street crime and petty theft as well as to pay close attention while using credit cards.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).