A (least hardship)
Family
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
NOA
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
National Professional Officer
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
No
2022-12-04-08:00
December 18, 2022
Assistant Shelter Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Shelter Officer contributes to the preparation of 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 oversee 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. In a first instance, the incumbent ensures that the Operation is supported in carrying out shelter and infrastructure needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns.
Close and regular contact is also maintained with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, and shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The incumbent will also participate in discussions relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision. The Assistant Shelter Officer normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague or Technical Coordinator and maintains a strong collaboration with the Shelter and Settlements Section in HQ.
The incumbent contributes to 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.
Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent include shelter and general infrastructure planning, design and construction monitoring including remote monitoring, therefore the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture or a related discipline.
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 developing and periodically updating a suitable shelter approach within the AoR, taking into consideration area-based approaches, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure.
- Participate in comprehensive sectoral needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply. Engage with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the beneficiary selection process prioritises the shelter needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (POC) are addressed.
- Contribute to shelter strategies and periodically review them 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.
- Oversee all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
- Review, identify and monitor shelter programmes within the AoR and initiate responses to address the gaps in collaboration and coordination with key UNHCR technical staff, operational partners and authorities as required.
- When planning shelter solutions, work closely with other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation, infrastructure for reception, education and health so that implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- Work with established clear guidance and detailed standards for coordinated shelter assessments, specific to the operational context in line with emergency standards and long-term durable shelter solutions.
- Monitor and follow up the design and construction of infrastructure and other facilities (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.
- Support implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with global, national and operational strategies and guidance.
- Work with appropriate internationally accepted shelter standards, best practice and guidelines and disseminate this information among partners within the AoR to meet quality and oversight expectations.
Coordination
- Support the supervisor in ensuring that UNHCR¿s operation is technically sound in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of POC.
- Participate in coordination and management of UNHCR¿s shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner providing adequate delivery of technical interventions and services to support operational needs. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
- Where activated, provide support to a close and operational leading role in the Shelter Cluster so that UNHCR¿s operational footprint is aligned with the agency goals. In refugee operations, take on the role of the coordination of shelter and settlement activities in line with the Refugee Coordination Model within the AoR.
- Participate, as technical focal point for shelter/infrastructure, in coordination meetings with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to ensure UNHCR¿s interests and those of the POCs are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely, efficient manner.
- Coordinate with partners to assess, analyse and map available information on shelter options in the AoR considering relevant policies, guidelines and plans adopted by the Government.
Collaboration
- Support Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects. Provide technical inputs and advise Programme colleagues during Implementing Partner Selection of shelter sector partners.
- 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.
- Support Supply team on matters related to the procurement of construction, infrastructure and other sector related works and services. Draft complete sets of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
- Carry out technical evaluation of the received bids as well as review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion.
- Work in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including local authorities, implementing and operational partners and affected communities on issues related to the shelter and settlement programme, while ensuring full participation of them in all work in order to achieve optimum levels of adequacy in the shelter response, for enhancement of skills development and income generating opportunities.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Architecture; Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering;
Construction Management; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Hands-on technical support including experience in assistance delivery in emergencies and relief operations.
- Knowledge of SPHERE standards and ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS receivers and computer equipment.
- Knowledge of AutoCAD and other tools forming a part of the UNHCR settlement planning toolkit
Desirable
- Knowledge of UNHCR system and operating modality.
- Understanding of the humanitarian architecture.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks, Civil 3D)
SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination
*SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning
(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, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
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.
Desired Candidate Profile
UNHCR Office in Jordan seeks to ensure that vulnerable People of Concern and communities in which they live in are more empowered, committed to and own the process of enhancing the sustainability, safety, and security of the physical and social infrastructures within their settlements. These efforts are geared towards actualising UNHCR’s policies and frameworks relating to - and /or - addressing housing and settlements themes anchored within the global priorities specified under 2030 Agenda, the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), the Grand Bargain commitments, Strategic Framework on Climate Action; the New Urban Agenda, Alternative Policy on Camps and Settlements Guiding Principles.
UNHCR will closely engage with key stakeholders such as national and local governments, line ministries, development actors and donors to plan, design and implement sustainable shelter interventions. UNHCR will also closely work with communities and vulnerable people of concern to ensure they participate in planning and design of key shelters and infrastructure interventions. Specific attention will be paid to vulnerable people of concern including but not limited to women headed households, households with elderly persons, and households with disabled persons.
The UNHCR Technical Support Unit (TU) has identified short-, medium-, and long-term objectives aimed at realizing some of the ambitions directions of UNHCR Jordan Multiyear strategy 2023-2025 related to (a) Greater connection of camps with the local economies and municipal development plans and (b) Critical infrastructure and services in camps connected with national grid through inclusive planning by development partners. The broader shelter program of UNHCR Jordan aims to empower refugees, support host communities and government to integrate and localize activities, whilst ensuring that housing and local settlements are habitable and sustainable to the extent possible. Therefore, UNHCR will enhance its current shelter response, in both camps, to ensure the urgent shelter needs are met for all camps population. The shelter approach will further categorize the response in both Za’atari and Azraq into different groups. Shelter Support: Construction, rehabilitation and repair of shelter and infrastructures within the camps will be undertaken in an inclusive fashion; whilst rehabilitation (only) of refugee’s dilapidated shelters in the urban areas shall also be pursued. Advocate through available forum (SWG, JHF, Sector Gender Network etc) and support in the implementation of ‘green home retrofits or other housing options aimed at improving the quality of life, reducing energy consumption, in addition to creating local employment and economic opportunities targeting refugee hosting localities. Rural- Urban Linkage: During the course of the 2023-2025 Multi Strategy, UNHCR Jordan shall aim to improve access to services and socioeconomic opportunities for displaced populations as well as local people in vulnerable situations in Za’atari and Azraq environs. This will be achieved by supporting local linkages with municipalities as a long-term strategic approach in connecting refugees and displacement affected neighbourhoods with access to public services through bankable infrastructure investments. The same initiative will support municipalities to mainstream refugee displacement challenges into spatial urban analytics and urban infrastructure investment planning.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning, SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks, Civil 3D), SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination
Certifications
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
This position requires Functional Clearance
