Shelter Associate

This position is advertised open to internal and external applicants. Please refer to regulation 16 of the APPC Procedural Rules and Regulations. Shelter Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Shelter Associate provides support in carrying out 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. The incumbent will assist in the day to-day operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to ensure that works proceed as designed and comply with established standards and procedures for the full project cycle.
Close and regular contact is maintained with technical and non-technical staff of shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The Shelter Associate normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague.
The incumbent assists the supervisor in ensuring that shelter & infrastructure responses within the AoR evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from sustainable local building practices and materials. S/he provides technical assistance in general infrastructure planning, design and construction monitoring.
Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis of residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should at all times minimize the risk of harm, eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions. Special attention must be given to the environment and low carbon approaches, attention to material selection through sustainable means to ensure a green approach to shelter delivery.

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

Technical Guidance
- Assist in carrying out shelter needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply.
- Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC).
- Assist the supervisor in developing and updating shelter strategies to reflect evolving situations and ensure alignment with national and global level policies and guidelines including: Global Compact on Refugees, Sustainable Development Goals, Relevant Global Strategies and Policies.
- Provide support in the daily management of all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance to established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
- Follow up the design and construction of infrastructure (schools, health centres, reception centres, drainage and roadworks etc) to confirm these are approved by the relevant authorities, technically sound, supplemented with accurate drawings, detailed BQs and specifications and implemented according to plans, completed within designated timelines, budget and ensure that this information is shared with relevant colleagues.
- Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH, education and health so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- Assist implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with national and global standards, national and operational strategies and guidance.
- Coordination
- Provide technical support in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.
- Assist in coordination and management of UNHCR¿s shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
- Participate, as technical focal point within the AoR for shelter/infrastructure, in coordination meetings with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to ensure UNHCR¿s interests and those of the PoC are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely, efficient manner.

Collaboration
- Assist Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects.
- Actively work with Programme as a member of the Multi-Functional Team in the Operation and regularly participate in multi-sectoral activities to ensure protection and assistance needs of the population are met.
- Provide support in the preparation of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
- Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Civil Engineering; Architecture
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of SPHERE standards and the ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, and computer equipment.
- Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programs.

Desirable
- Knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards, as well as standards related to protection, 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 PoC is taken into account while designing and developing shelter options.
- Knowledge of computer graphics, AutoCAD and mapping software as well as the capacity to use mapping tools (GPS), and digital photographic equipment, and related software (map info etc.).

Functional Skills
IT-MS Office Applications
IT-AutoCAD (Computer Assisted Design Software)
SP-CAD/CAM Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
SP-Sphere Handbook
SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination
UN-Knowledge of UN/UNHCR terminology
(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.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, including in particular when supervising others, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties by demonstrating no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, abuse of power, harassment including sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse. As individual workforce members and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and take these issues seriously by speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources, as well as, when required/appropriate, report, for corrective action to be taken, whilst considering a victim-centered-approach.

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. UNHCR staff members:   For Standard positions, the full job description with required competencies can be downloaded from the  UNHCR Intranet > Staff Resources > Posts and vacancies > Job Descriptions.    For job descriptions of Standard-Specific and Expert positions, please contact the Post Classification Unit, e-mail HQPC00, quoting the Job Opening ID no., Position Title and Position no.
External applicants:   For a full job description of this position, please contact UNHCR's Classification Unit, e-mail HQPC00@unhcr.org  (HQPCzero zero), quoting the Job Opening ID no., Position Title and Position no. French
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== Since 2012, the protective environment in Mali has been marked by a series of successive political, security and socio-economic crises, exacerbated by the rise of violent extremism, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing climate change, the recurrent floods and droughts in the north and center of the country. This situation has resulted in an exponential increase in humanitarian needs in the country, particularly affecting people in forced displacement. Despite limited humanitarian access, drastic budget constraints, and a weakened state presence in areas under the influence of armed groups, UNHCR was able to continue its operations of protection and assistance based on a strengthened strategic partnership and community approach.

Despite the very volatile socio-political situation, Mali has embarked on a process of improving the legal and institutional framework for the protection of people in forced movement and other people under UNHCR's mandate. In addition to the achievements in the normative framework of refugee protection including the ratification of the Geneva Convention of 1951 and the Convention of the African Unity Organization of 1969 followed by the creation of the CNCR and other national structures of implementation of the conventions, Mali ratified in December 1981 the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on freedom of movement, the convention relating to the status of stateless persons in May 2016, the convention on the reduction of cases of statelessness of 1961, and in order to harmonize its legislation with conventions and make the functioning of the civil status system more efficient, Mali adopted in 2018 a national civil status strategy.

We also note the organization in September 2019 of the Regional Dialogue for Protection and Solutions in the context of forced displacement in the Sahel and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms for the 46 recommendations made in the Bamako Declaration; the commitments made at the High Level Segment on Statelessness, the preparation of a draft law on the protection of displaced persons validated in August 2019 by the Technical Committee on Domestication of the Kampala Convention in Mali (CTDCK) ; and the establishment of a Reflection Committee on the establishment of a procedure for determining the status of stateless person.

On the political and security level, it should be noted that the signing and implementation of the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, the holding of the Inclusive National Dialogue in 2019, had brought a glimmer of hope for security and stability over the past five years. It is clear, however, that the rise of violent extremism, the resurgence of inter / intra-community conflicts and banditry, as well as the current political crisis linked to the recent military coup, have lowered the progress indicators and reduced the hope to achieve lasting peace and socio-economic stability in the near future. Despite the massive deployment of international forces and the Malian army and the multiplication of reconciliation agreements between communities, the security situation remains very volatile, and political instability is not likely to bring about a positive change in the situation.

The implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, resulting from the Algiers process in 2015, is still very slow, due to the recent socio-political crisis, and persistent disagreements between the signatory parties. In April 2021, the president of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), a coalition of former separatist rebels who signed the peace agreement, was assassinated in Bamako by unidentified individuals, this incident will undoubtedly be further contributing to slowing down the implementation of the peace agreement.

Likewise, the implementation of the resolutions of the Inclusive National Dialogue of 2019, in which the political opposition and Malian civil society fully participated, had a good start with the organization of legislative elections in March and April 2020. Those elections were to be followed by a constitutional referendum, but the latter could not be held, the National Assembly which was to organize it having been dissolved after the Coup d'Etat of 2020.

 
In parallel, the pursuance of the resolutions of the Inclusive National Dialogue of 2019, in which the Malian parties, the political opposition and civil society have fully participated, got off to a good start with the organization of legislative elections in March and April 2020, which were supposed to be followed by a constitutional referendum. The current socio-political crisis, marked by the dissolution of the National Assembly, responsible for coordinating this referendum, has led to the suspension of the process and resulted in an increase of the number of international forces in the Liptako Region with the objective of intensifying military operation against extremism groups with an evident potential for massive forced displacement and human rights violation towards civilians. The efforts made by the transition government encouraging inter and intra community peace agreement in the center Mali. The National presidential and legislative elections are planned for February 2022
 
In this uncertain security, political and social environment, the humanitarian context in Mali remained unstable and forced displacement continued. During the first half of 2020, attacks on a Malian refugee camp in Burkina Faso, as well as in the Liptako-Gourma region in northern Mali, forced more than 5,000 Malian refugees to return to their countries of origin. This brought the total number of returnees in Mali to over nearly 85,000 people, as of 31 January 2021. In addition, during the same period, there were more than 346,000 internally displaced people, of whom 56% are women and 61% are children under the age of eighteen years old, mostly in the north and center of the country, due to inter- and intra-community violence and conflicts. As violence continues, more than 155,000 Malian refugees remain in neighboring countries, while Mali hosts more than 48,000 refugees of different nationalities, with more than 40% of the refugee population registered in 2020 alone, due to influxes from Burkina Faso and Niger and the worsening security situation in these adjacent nations. Initial 1-year Probationary Fixed-term  Appointment, which may be extended upon successful completion of the probationary period. Acknowledgements will only be sent to short-listed applicants under serious consideration. 22/06/2021