Job Requisition Type

Evergreen (Formerly known as talent pools, in order to have a balanced number of ready-to-hire candidates who can be deployed at short notice to a vacancy that best matches their skills. Evergreens are primarily used to fill Temporary Appointments.)

Call for applications - Shelter Officer, P3

Location: Various location

Why should you join us?

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact.

How can you make a difference?

The Shelter Officer conducts 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, to further inform a comprehensive shelter strategy. In first instance, the incumbent ensures that UNHCR Field Operations are 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 if any.

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 also discusses matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision. S/he normally reports to a Senior Shelter colleague, Technical Coordinator, Senior Program  Officer or equivalent.

Key responsibilities and duties:

• Carry out comprehensive sectoral needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, HLP, CBI, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply. Engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the beneficiary selection process prioritises the shelter needs of the most vulnerable forcibly displaced and their hosting communities are addressed.

• Contribute to the development of shelter strategies and periodically review them to reflect evolving situations and ensure alignment with national and global level policies and guidelines, taking into consideration area-based multi-sectoral approaches, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure

• Monitor and follow up the design and construction works to confirm these are approved by the relevant authorities, technically sound, supplemented with accurate drawings, detailed BOQs and specifications

• Collaborate with Programme throughout the UNHCR Programme cycle: review technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects. Provide guidance to Programme during Implementing Partner Selection of shelter sector partners. Engage as an active member of the Multi-Functional Team in the Operation. Engage with the Supply team and provide guidance on matters related to the procurement of construction, infrastructure and other sector related works and services, including the development of technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc. for bid documents. Oversee the technical evaluation of the received bids as well as review/inspect the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion

• Perform other related duties as required

Who are we looking for?

Candidates with 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Requirements

Prior experience of implementing shelter and infrastructure projects in humanitarian context and large-scale emergencies across a range of different settings (urban, rural, and camp settings), coordinating with operational partners governmental and technical departments. Prior experience in designing and implementing a shelter strategy, including host family situations, collective shelter and camp settings, in emergency while considering the transition to more sustainable solutions. Project formulation, planning, supervision and management skills. Previous involvement in implementation processes (including development of shelter design, bill of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations, etc.). Experience of construction management (including site supervision, monitoring, quality control, evaluation etc.) including application of participatory approaches to facilitate active participation of communities into the project cycle and into the construction process. Experience in developing shelter and infrastructure need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programmes. Experience in building on existing local capacity and transfer knowledge as appropriate.

Advantage

Knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards, as well as standards related to protection, WASH, environment and land use. Knowledge of a range of shelter assistance options, humanitarian infrastructure, including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of the refugees is taken into account while designing, developing and implementing shelter options. Proficient in basic computer software’s, including engineering (AutoCAD) and basic geo-spatial analysis tools (GIS and GPS). Familiarity with and considerable field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation and on humanitarian operations. Ability making the linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes will be an added advantage.

For a more detailed description, please review the job description:

https://www.unhcr.org/63db73464

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

UNHCR’s workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. We seek to sustain and strengthen this diversity and to ensure equal opportunities, as well as an inclusive working environment, for our entire workforce. Joining us means living, sharing and promoting these core values of inclusion, diversity and gender equality.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.