Associate Shelter Coordinator

Organizational Context:

In humanitarian emergencies where UNHCR is designated as the Shelter Sector Lead Agency, the Associate Shelter Cluster Coordinator performs a dedicated coordination function. This function will be usually performed at national level and the incumbent will report to a P4 or  Senior Technical Officer at national level on functional issues . In some cases of large emergencies, the incumbent may perform a function of deputy cluster coordinator at the national level in support of the P4 or P5 Shelter Sector Coordinator reporting directly to them.

The Associate Shelter Cluster Coordinator supports coordination functions in order to ensure UNHCR¿s role as the Shelter Sector Lead Agency. The incumbent supports UNHCR¿s commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The Associate Shelter Cluster Coordinator also contributes to cross-sectoral coordination with other related sectors such as WASH, CCCM, Protection (HLP) and others, supports the mainstreaming of early recovery activities and cross-cutting issues into the work of the Shelter Sector, especially age, gender, diversity, HIV, and environment.
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


Accountability:

¿ Shelter programmes are designed according to the Jordan Response Plan and following the UNHCR Global Shelter Strategy.
¿ Appropriate partnerships are identified on Shelter & Site Planning for the operation in the camps and urban area.
¿ Specific projects are designed and piloted on shelter with a view towards enhancing self-reliance, livelihood and protection.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision and support of the Senior Technical officer, Head of Technical Unit and Co-Lead Shelter Sector in Amman Branch Office, the incumbent will be entrusted with performing the following major duties and responsibilities:

Strategic Direction and Coordination

¿ In liaison with the shelter sector co-lead, establish strong working relationships with the Shelter Sector members and Shelter Task Force in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) in order to facilitate effective collaboration and communication.
¿ Provide coordination services, including meetings, in line with the Principles of Partnership, in an inclusive, effective and results-oriented manner.
¿ Under the framework of Inter-Agency contingency Plan, support the revision of existing contingency planning and emergency preparedness measures and ensure they are updated and developed.
¿ Contribute to the development of a Shelter Sector strategy that is part of the overall multi-sectoral response, that is owned by shelter partners and the government counterpart and that is revised as the situation evolves.
¿ 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.
¿ Support the evaluation of the cluster¿s performance. Based on the feedback of this evaluation, work with Shelter Sector members to support the development of a plan of response to improve the Shelter¿s performance
¿ Ensure effective coordination with all partners and actors (national and international) active in the shelter sector, through support to appropriate sectoral coordination mechanisms, including working groups at the national and local level;
¿ Ensure priority strategies are effective to ensure basic shelter needs of the displaced population are met;
¿ Provide clear guidance (Sop ¿ Technical guidance) and communicate minimum standards to all stakeholders to build local capacities and improve the quality of shelter programmes;
¿ Ensure compliance with shelter global strategies, protocols and guidelines;


Develop and update agreed response strategies and action plans for the sector.

¿ Compile, analyse and map information on shelter needs and emergency shelter options in Jordan (including substandard shelters, informal settlements, cash for shelter, and formal settlements)
¿ Develop, in collaboration with shelter agencies, a shelter sector strategy including shelter assistance methods that are technically sound to support refugees in different shelter types with sufficient attention to host communities concerns.
¿ Secure commitment from sector partners in response to the needs and gaps, ensuring an appropriate distribution of responsibilities within the sectoral group with clearly defined focal points for specific issues where necessary;
¿ Support the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Shelter Cluster, including age, gender, environment, diversity.

Needs Assessment, Resources Mobilization and Allocation

¿ Contribute to the facilitation and coordination within the Shelter Sector shelter needs assessments, including participatory assessments
¿ Support the system to ensure the timely availability of data to inform operational decisions by partners and strategic decisions.
¿ Contribute to the development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Shelter Sector for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.


Coordination of shelter interventions

¿ Ensure appropriate coordination with partners and other sectors in implementing the shelter strategy;
¿ Promote the integration of agreed cross-cutting issues (age, gender, environment, diversity) utilizing participatory approaches;
¿ Secure commitments from participants in responding to needs and filling gaps, ensuring an appropriate distribution of responsibilities, with defined focal points where necessary;
¿ Ensure the revision and establishment of Standard Operations Procedures of the shelter sector and their dissemination.
¿ Act as focal point for inquiries on the shelter sector response plans and operations.
¿ Support the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Shelter Cluster, including age, gender, environment, diversity. 

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

¿ University Degree in Sciences Degree in Civil Engineering, Urbanism, or Architecture.
¿ At least 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
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. Knowledge of current humanitarian issues. Good knowledge of shelter-related technical guidelines and standards. Good communication skills.

Desirable
Applied knowledge in UNHCR mandate, its policies and priorities in relation to IDPs, shelter and NFI. Demonstrated expertise in program management and reporting requirements.

Language Requirements
For National Professional jobs: Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English



Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

¿ Ability towards analytical and creative thinking;
¿ Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills to deal with persons of various cultural and educational backgrounds;
¿ Strive to live up to high ethical and professional standards;
¿ Demonstrated ability in staff supervision, recruitment and training;
¿ Applied knowledge in UNHCR programme management, project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards;
¿ Capable of working in harsh, unstable and difficult environments, independently and within a team;
¿ Strong knowledge in computer software such as MS Access, Excel, Power-point, Word, and Microsoft Projects. AutoCAD and GIS are an asset.
¿ Analytical;
¿ Innovative and Creative;
¿ Efficient and effective planner and organizer;
¿ A team player with service-oriented attitudes;
¿ Flexible. Please note that English is essential for this job opening .
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== As the designated lead agency in the refugee response in Jordan, UNHCR has established a sector-based structure in Amman and in the field to support the Government. The structure brings together UN agencies, national and international NGO partners in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and other affected populations.

UNHCR is supporting the Government to coordinate the shelter response and has introduced a sectorial coordination structure. Partners are making significant efforts to ensure that available resources reach the most vulnerable including through the introduction of targeting of assistance across all sectors and new programming efficiencies such as the introduction of cash assistance.

Under the direct supervision of the Co-lead Shelter Sector Coordinator, the associate shelter Coordinator  will support the sector and its established working groups in contributing towards the effective provision of emergency assistance to the refugees, returnees, and affected host communities through the timely and efficient coordination of sector activities.

The incumbent will assist to update the JRP and 3RP accordingly and will assure with the Co-lead of the shelter sector, that all shelter sector partners are actively participating by monitoring and summarizing the progress of the sector.
As part of the UNHCR technical Unit, the incumbent will also actively assist in the design of shelter and site planning interventions into formal settlements and any other locations where UNHCR has a direct or indirect intervention. He/she will monitor progress versus plan the progress of UNHCR Shelter partners and/or direct implementation partners and assist to update the UNHCR Shelter strategy.
The Associate Shelter Coordinator  is a technical position based in Amman, Jordan. The incumbent will report to the Senior Technical Officer, Head of Technical Unit, Co-lead of the Shelter Sector and will work closely with the Inter-Agency Coordination Unit of the Branch Office and/ or within DPSM as well as with external stakeholders in Jordan. He/she will be required to undertake official mission in the areas where refugees and other persons of concern related to the targeted projects are located. Please note that the closing date for this job opening is on 29 Jan 2020 .