Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter)

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.

Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Shelter Cluster (SC) Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, the position of Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) reports directly to the UNHCR Representative who has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency. Also the incumbent liaises with the Global Shelter Cluster Coordinator who has global responsibility for the performance of UNHCR as Global Cluster Lead Agency.

The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) effectuates UNHCR's commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The UNHCR SC Lead Agency functions, embodied in the role of the Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter), are critical in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse shelter community. The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) is expected to perform UNHCR's lead role in the SC and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Shelter Cluster, including the provision of active support, as applicable, to sub-national clusters which may be coordinated by other Agencies. As a result, the Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) leads an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) represents the SC in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms. S/he ensures appropriate cross-sectoral coordination with other related clusters such as WASH, CCCM, Protection (HLP) and others, advocates for shelter in the humanitarian response, leads the mainstreaming of early recovery activities in the Shelter Cluster, and spearheads the integration of cross-cutting issues into the work of the Shelter Cluster, especially age, gender, diversity, HIV, environment.

The incumbent works closely with and/or directly supervises a multi-functional SC Support team, including, but not limited to, the areas of information management, needs assessment, technical support, shelter recovery, reporting and advocacy.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- The shelter needs of populations of concern are met through timely, appropriate, and coordinated action by all cluster member.
- Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are established and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, ensuring timely and effective needs assessment, appropriate planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.
- Where appropriate, these mechanisms build up and reinforce existing national coordination mechanisms and build capacity.
- Strategies and activities delivered by the SC enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization.
- UNHCR performs its SC Lead Agency functions in a manner consistent with IASC standards and guidelines governing the Cluster Approach, in particular the IASC Generic Terms of Reference for Cluster Coordinators at the country level and the IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at the Country Level.

Responsibility
Strategic Direction and Coordination
- Develop an SC Strategy in a consultative process with ESC partners including the local government and ensure that the shelter response is driven by this strategy.
- Ensure that the SC Strategy is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan.
- Provide coordination services, including meetings, in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster coordination is inclusive, consultative and results-oriented.
- Promote accountability to affected population, participation of local and national stakeholders such as civil groups, and ensure coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
- Ensure that contingency planning and emergency preparedness measures are updated and developed.
- Update as appropriate the SC Strategy: ensure proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts. Ensure that appropriate transitional measures are in place for handing over to recovery and development actors.
- Ensure the establishment and maintenance of the cluster structure including the cluster core documents as defined by the Global Shelter Cluster guidance: Strategy, Technical Standards, and Factsheet.

Needs Assessment, Resources Mobilization and Allocation
- Lead, coordinate and conduct within the SC or at Inter-Cluster level shelter needs assessments, including participatory assessments.
- Ensure that the SC covers all identified shelter needs of the affected population and not only those relating to the specific mandate of individual members of the Shelter Cluster.
- Provide transparent strategic direction to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the SC for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
- Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.

Capacity Development
- Coordinate the delivery of shelter training activities for SC members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Coordinate initiatives to build the shelter capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.

Standard Setting and Implementation
- Ensure that the shelter response is informed by appropriate relevant Technical Standards including among others Sphere, and good practice.
- Ensure appropriate collaboration with shelter response-related clusters of CCCM, Early Recovery, Education, Health, Logistics, Protection and WASH in the work of the Shelter Cluster.
- Coordinate the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Shelter Cluster, including age, gender, environment, diversity.
- Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global shelter policy and standards led by the Global Shelter Cluster.

Information Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Ensure that the SC has a functional information management strategy and mechanism to report and share information within the Emergency Shelter Cluster, with the other clusters, with the government, with the overall humanitarian community including donors, with UNHCR internal mechanisms, and with the Global Shelter Cluster.
- Ensure that the SC produces analytical shelter reports, including the Factsheet; Promote that information on affected population is dissagregated by sex and age.
- Ensure that the SC maintains an updated website and produces regular updates on the shelter concerns of the affected population, the response by the shelter actors, the gaps, challenges and recommendations.
- Promote and ensure monitoring and evaluation of the impact of operations carried out by cluster members and the performance of the coordination team.
- Appraise the performance of any directly supervised personnel of the SC coordination team.

Advocacy and Promotion
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the SC through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
- Ensure a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and policies for the adequate provision of shelter.
- Ensure the Shelter Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team.

Authority
- Represent the SC in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Co-chair cluster meetings with the relevant Government counterpart as appropriate.
- Issue reports and make advocacy statements on behalf of the Shelter Cluster.
- Upon consultations with SC members, take final decision over format and frequency of meetings, designation of focal points and the establishment of a strategic advisory group, sub-national clusters, Technical Working Groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
- Initiate measures to ensure that Principles of Partnership are fully respected in managing coordination mechanisms.
- Implement decisions on indicators to measure impact and performance of SC members.
- Negotiate with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
- Direct transparent and accountable financial and other resource allocation within the Shelter Cluster, when required, such as with regard to CERF or CHF.
- Manage the team deployed or hired in country to coordinate the Shelter Cluster.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate (equivalent of Master's) degree, preferably in shelter-related sciences (e.g. civil engineering or architecture) plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function in different international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, Donors, Red Cross Red Crescent). Work experience in the Region would be an advantage. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Excellent leadership, coordination, and representation skills. Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills. Excellent knowledge of the Humanitarian reform process and the role of the humanitarian community (UN System, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and NGO), preferably in shelter.
- Extensive knowledge of current humanitarian issues.
- Experience in the implementation of shelter programmes. Good knowledge of shelter-related technical guidelines and standards.
- 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
- Training on Cluster Coordination (Humanitarian Shelter Coordination training or Coordination and Leadership training).
- UNHCR Coordination Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Management Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
- UNHCR Workshop on Emergency Management.
- Applied knowledge in UNHCR mandate, its policies and priorities in relation to IDPs, shelter and NFI. Demonstrated expertise in program management and reporting requirements.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Shelter) 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking 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 them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country 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). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

The Senior Cluster Coordinator (Shelter) will coordinate sector activities of the Shelter Sector in Syria under the direct supervision of the UNHCR Representative, ensuring that the sector is coordinated effectively and efficiently and that UNHCR plays its role as a sector lead agency.The incumbent needs to have a high level of strategic thinking and leadership to be able to coordinate and lead a big and diverse team and ensure that the Shelter strategy for the sector is in place and implemented in a politically sensitive, at time insecure and diverse working environment. Field experience in responding to emergencies working with relevant governmental technical departments and various organizations in identifying, designing, and implementing shelter solutions and prior involvement in implementation processes (including development of bill of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations etc.) is required Prior experience in designing and implementing shelter strategies, including collective centers in an emergency situation, knowledge of innovative approaches (cash/voucher programs) is highly desirable.Experience in developing shelter and settlement needs assessment and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programs in conflict and knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards, as well as standards related to protection, WASH, environment and land use is also required. The incumbent must have knowledge of a range of shelter assistance options, with sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of the persons of concern is taken into account while designing and developing shelter options and the capacity and ability to lead the UNHCR shelter unit, composed of architects and engineers. S/he should possess good coordination and communication skills. The sector recognizes the centrality of protection in all programing and it is therefore committed to mainstream protection. In addition, sector activities are inherently linked with other sectors and the sector coordinator will represent the sector at Inter-sector level Experience shows that solutions to shelter problems are viable in terms of providing space for IDPs, but they are neither durable nor sustainable with regards to quality and long-term solutions; in addition, their planning and implementation requires effort and administrative procedures both at local and central levels. Shelter sector in Syria is co-led by UNHCR and Ministry of Local Administration and Environment (MoLAE). The incumbent will lead and co-ordinate the sector plans, preparedness, responses and monitoring. The sector coordinator will work together with MoLAE and will work very closely with sector members that include  local NGOs, international NGOs, SARC and other UN agencies. The sector coordinator will also work very closely and will provide guidance on the sector coordination issues to sub-national sector focal points based in the field locations. An estimated 13 million people, including 5.2  million people in need of acute  humanitarian assistance.. Shelter and NFI supports remain a primary need for the crisis-affected population. It is estimated that 4.2 million people need shelter support and 5.4 million people need NFI support.Currently, an estimated 6.2 million people are internally displaced living on rent, hosted and living in camps, collective centres and spontaneous settlements.  Shelter adequacy is a key issue and more than half of population face at least one shelter adequacy issue. The sector  addresses the shelter  needs through a two-pronged approach, which addresses emergency shelter needs as well as longer term shelter needs but limited to repair and rehabilitation of safe structures.. The sector responses will support people in need including  displaced, hosting and non-displaced people. While efforts will be made to increase access to those in need, the sector recognizes that safe, sustained access can be difficult to maintain which may in turn impact needs-based programming and particularly resilience-oriented programming. The present security situation in Syria also creates pressure at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under such conditions and be able to manage stressful situations.
Syria is officially a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).