Technical Coordination 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.

Technical Coordination Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Technical Coordination Officer supports delivery in the areas of WASH, Irrigation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environment, Shelter, and is furthermore engaged in supporting wider initiatives such as livelihoods and self-reliance support.
The incumbent, in addition to supporting general technical delivery, will also have an important role ensuring compliance and implementation with UNHCR policies. The primary objective of the position is to contribute to the work of the Technical Unit of UNHCR comprising of the sectoral and sectoral specialists in Shelter, WASH, Environment, Irrigation Engineering and Civil Engineering.  The incumbent will work closely with the Field Officers as well as technical sector specialists and the team leaders on the ground.
S/he will carry out technical needs assessments, developing strategies and projects, taking into account the community needs, protection concerns, local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and available resources and skills. S/he will also monitor, support, and provide guidance partners who are implementing technical activities/projects in partnership with UNHCR. In addition, s/he will be the face of UNHCR with external actors and UN/NGO partners with regard to the coordination of technical projects/interventions as part of inter-agency response efforts.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- Oversee the implementation of UNHCR infrastructure related projects.
- Carry out needs identification, technical assessment, community consultation, monitoring, among others. Decide priorities in the designing of implementation plan.
- Prepare project designing including preparation of BOQs/specifications and costing, carry out and provide recommendations, plan of action and verify compliance in the implementation of those activities.
- Provide clear guidance to partners/contractors and ensure compliance with standards for technical interventions.
- Contribute to the development of the Quick Impact Project strategy taking into consideration the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure. 
- Organize and provide trainings in construction/WASH techniques and practices leading to more durable solutions and drawing from local building practices and materials.
- Promote the sustainability of technical interventions through local capacity building and self-help in collaboration with partners in the field. Ensure that local communities have been consulted on all activities so as not to create unnecessary tension among populations.
- Support UNHCR¿s coordination role in areas of community infrastructures including on WASH through engagement with partners.  Together with UNHCR's implementing and operational partners, compile, analyze and map available information on the current situation and ongoing activities, and identify gaps.
- Advise on matters related to the procurement of sector related materials or equipment, including the development of technical specifications for bid documents, technical evaluation of bids, review/inspection of the quality of products/works.
- Assist Programme colleagues in analysing budgetary implications of technical components, as well as ensuring the technical integrity of all sectoral interventions.
- 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.
- Ensure regular reporting and updating of plans.
- Build key strategic partnerships with development and humanitarian agencies in relation to WASH and other community based infrastructure interventions.
- Undertake monitoring and evaluation of technical related activities, especially water interventions. 
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Civil-Engineering,                  Water and Sanitation Engineering Water Resources Development
Public Health Engineering or other relevant field
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Prior experience of implementing infrastructure and WASH projects in humanitarian context and large scale emergencies coordinating with operational partners governmental technical departments. Prior experience in designing and implementing a community-based projects. Hands-on project formulation, planning, supervision and management experience. Previous involvement in project implementation processes (including development of bill of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations, partner negotiation, etc.) Experience of technical project management (including site supervision, monitoring, quality control, evaluation etc.) and application of participatory approaches to facilitate active participation of communities into the project cycle and into the construction process. Ability to develop projects/activities with political awareness and in due consideration to local context,   including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of the communities is taken into account while designing, developing and implementing infrastructure works (engineering/ WASH). Experience in developing technical needs assessments, monitoring and evaluation. Experience in building on existing local capacity and transfer knowledge as appropriate.

Desirable:
Experience in organising and conducting training activities in the areas of environmental sanitation, natural resources management, water quality, bore-hole drilling, vector control and appropriate technologies.  Ability to make the linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes will be an added advantage. Diverse field experience and familiarity with UNHCR activities, including knowledge of protection, are desirable.

Functional Skills
CL-Site Governance & Community Engagement
EX- Knowledge Management
EX-Experience in an international capacity
EX-Experience in the region of assignment/function
EX-Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations
MG-Decision Making
MG-People Management
MG-Planning
MG-Project Management
MG-Team Building
MS-Provide support, advice, and guidance in the relevant field
PG-Experience with coordinating with Implementing Partners (Governmt/INGO/NGO/Corporate)
PG-Feasibility Study
PG-Monitoring Programmes/Projects
PG-Needs Assessment and Response Analysis
SP-Civil Engineering
SP-Infrastructure Development/Construction Management/Property Management
WA-WASH Facilities Construction (Mgmt/monitoring/evaluat. of all technical & admin issues)
WA-WASH-related Technologies
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3

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 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.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this addendum 1 to the  September 2019 Compendium is Monday 11 November  2019 (midnight Geneva time)