Snr 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.

Senior Shelter Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The vast majority of the  refugees and other forcibly displaced persons in Niger live along the borders of the country, either in the south-east region of Diffa that is adjacent to Nigeria, or in the south-west region of Tillabery close to Mali.

The primary objective of the role is to lead the GIZ project funded by the Government of Germany with the Niger shelter and settlements Unit of UNHCR comprising of national and international specialists in Shelter/Physical Planning while ensuring strong cross sectoral synergies with WASH, Public Health, Nutrition, Cash, Environment. The Senior Shelter Officer should also act as focal point maintaining effective coordination with any established shelter sector working group. In addition strategic management of implementing partners and contractors externally and in house collaboration with administration, finance and program on all programmatic issues. The incumbent will work closely with the Field Coordinator¿s as well as the team leaders on the ground, and will report to the Deputy Representative operations. The incumbent will have direct supervisory responsibility for two Shelter Officers at P3 level, while the incumbent shall be working closely with other section on Shelter and WASH related activities and personnel in Diffa, Tillaberi, Agadez and Bureau ETM. He/she provides functional public Shelter and WASH guidance to the team as well as to the shelter expert in the field offices. The Senior Shelter Officer supports UNHCR efforts during an emergency and ensures that international Shelter and WASH standards are met.

In line with the national development plan for the region of Tillabery, UNHCR in collaboration with donor/partner (GIZ) agreed to implement the Urbanization Project for 2019-2020.  In this regard the Senior Shelter Officer will be fully responsible for all infrastructure development related to the durable solutions Urbanization project and assure the minimum standards are met also with respect to national urbanization codes and standards. The Senior Shelter Officer will be responsible for Negotiations with local government authorities regarding land acquisition, site development and partner coordination that require technical expertise to guarantee quality assurance and timely implementation.

The Senior Shelter officer will be based in Niamey with regular travel to various field locations. He / She will provide UNHCR country team with overall shelter and settlement direction as the team leader for the GIZ project.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR Shelter and Water/Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH) programmes are implemented based on updated needs assessments and through implementing partners adequately trained and having received proper guidance. The implementation strategy is developed in line with the overall coordination.
- Gaps and overlaps in UNHCR funded Shelter and WASH programme and unmet needs are addressed, and the activities are oriented to address priority Shelter and WASH issues.
- The Shelter/WASH is effectively managed.

Responsibility
- Coordinate, manage and support the UNHCR shelter and settlements team in Niger in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner providing adequate delivery of technical interventions and services to support operational needs.
- Review, identify and assess progress of UNHCR Shelter/Site planning programs and initiate responses to address the gaps in collaboration and coordination with key UNHCR technical staff, operational partners and authorities as required.
- Participate as technical focal point for shelter/settlement in coordination meeting with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to ensure UNHCR¿s interests and those of our POCs are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely, efficient manner.
- Support the operation with the development and periodically updating of appropriate shelter / settlement strategy   which is framed by UNHCR¿s Global Strategy for Settlement and Shelter (2014-2018) 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.
- Support with HR planning and management to establish and maintain an efficient and skilled technical workforce that is capable of supporting on-going operations.
- Manage the review, update and dissemination of internationally accepted standards and environmental guidelines within UNHCR and among partners.
- - Together with UNHCR's implementing partners, compile, analyze and map available information on shelter options in country taking into account relevant policies adopted by the Government. When planning infrastructure   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.
- Coordinate technical specialists to ensure adequate monitoring so that UNHCR¿s technical interventions are produced in a technically sound and standardized manner and establish monitoring tools to ensure that works are implemented according to plans and completed within the designated timeframe.
- Coordinate with program to advise on matters related to the procurement of sector related responses or equipment, including the development of technical specifications for bid documents, technical evaluation of bids, review/inspection of the quality of products/works.
- Work in close coordination with all functional Units in UNHCR (Protection, Programme, Community Services, Field, Administration, and Supply) for all issues related to protection, population of concern figures and assistance.
- Work in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including, local authorities, relevant partners and affected communities on issues related to the shelter and settlement programme.
- Prepare mission report and debrief.
- Maintain regular contact with the SSS/DPSM Section in Geneva and support regular technical updates.

Authority
- Intervene with implementing partners on Shelter/WASH issues.
- Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR.
- Decide priorities in the designing of implementation plan.
- Advise of implementing partners' selection.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all shelter/WASH standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in civil, structural or architectural engineering, urban planning or other related discipline with additional training/experience in construction management and/or settlement planning plus minimum 8 years of previous similar job experience, including five years in an international technical/managerial position. 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.
- Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
- Solid management skills and ability to guide a specialist team under tense emergency situations.
- Knowledge of GIS/GPS software and an ability to produce maps and conduct training.
- Knowledge of technical drawing software and an ability to produce technical plans and conduct training.
- Proficiency in written/oral French and English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Experience in working as physical planner and shelter officer, using GIS technology would be an asset.
- Experience working with the UN system would be an asset.
- Knowledge of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) activities is an asset.
- Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset. C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

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.

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.

 

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)