Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Yaounde, Cameroon
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-06-01
Job Posting End DateDecember 28, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In humanitarian emergencies where UNHCR is designated as the Shelter Cluster (SC) Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, the Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer performs a dedicated coordination function. This function will be usually performed at sub national level and the incumbent will report to a P2 to P5 Shelter Cluster Coordinator at national level on functional issues and to the respective Head of Office on administrative 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 Cluster Coordinator reporting directly to them.
The Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer supports coordination functions to ensure UNHCR's role as the Shelter Cluster (SC) Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach. The incumbent supports UNHCR's commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer also contributes to cross-sectoral coordination with other related clusters 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 Cluster, 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.
Duties
Strategic Direction and Coordination
- Maintain strong working relationships with the cluster members in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to facilitate effective collaboration and communication.
- Support 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 SC 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.
- Support the evaluation of the cluster's performance. Based on the feedback of this evaluation, work with Shelter Cluster members to support the development of a plan of response to improve the cluster's performance.
Needs Assessment, Resources Mobilization and Allocation
- Contribute to the facilitation and coordination within the Shelter Cluster or Inter-Cluster level 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 of the Humanitarian Country Team.
- Contribute to the development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the SC for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
- Contribute to the establishment of mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.
Capacity Development
- Support capacity building of the government counterpart or the organization that will take over the coordination of the cluster once this is phased out.
- Contribute to the delivery of shelter training activities for SC members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Contribute to initiatives to build the shelter capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.
Standard Setting and Implementation
- Contribute to ensuring that the shelter response is informed by appropriate relevant Technical Standards including among others Sphere, and good practice.
- Support appropriate collaboration with shelter response-related clusters of CCCM, Early Recovery, Education, Health, Logistics, Protection and WASH in the work of the Shelter Cluster.
- Support the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Shelter Cluster, including age, gender, environment, diversity.
Information Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Contribute to development and implementation of SC information management strategy and mechanism to report and share information within the Shelter Cluster, with the other clusters, with the government, with the overall humanitarian community including donors, with UNHCR internal mechanisms, and with the Global Shelter Cluster.
- Support the production of analytical shelter reports, including the Factsheet;
- Support the maintenance of an updated SC website and the production of regular updates on the shelter concerns of the affected population, the response by the shelter actors, the gaps, challenges and recommendations.
Advocacy, Promotion and Fundraising
- Participate when requested in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities, donors, and other relevant interlocutors.
- Support the development of reports and advocacy statements on behalf of the Shelter Cluster.
- Coordinate with UNHCR and other partners to maximize communication impact to donors and others on the SC priorities.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
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
Shelter-related sciences (e.g. civil engineering or architecture)
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
CCCM Cluster Coordination
HCR Coordination Learning Prog
HCR Management Learning Prog
UNHCR Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Workshop
UNHCR Workshop on Emergency Management
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
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.
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.
Functional Skills
CL-Cluster Information Management Tools, Resources & Approaches
PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Shelter and Settlement Implementation
CL-Cluster Information Management Tools, Resources & Approaches
(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 The position requires:
- Previous solid experience of working in an IDP context.
- Cluster Coordination experience is mandatory
- Ability to provide technical guidance to the co-lead and cluster members
- Impartially represent the interests of members of the protection sector, including the provision of active support to the areas of responsibility of child protection, gender-based violence and housing, land, and property.
- Represent the protection sector in intersectoral coordination mechanisms
- Knowledge of IASC principles, humanitarian Response Plan Programming, Inter Sector response
- Technical expertise in shelter and NFI humanitarian responses.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French
,English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
The Far North Region of Cameroon hosts more than 500,000 people of concern to UNHCR, including 130,000 refugees from Nigeria and over 400,000 internally displaced persons and returnees. Most were displaced due to the Boko Haram crisis, which started in 2013 and affected all Lake Chad Basin countries, including Cameroon. This instability continues to provoke population movements within Cameroon, including the secondary displacements within Cameroon and the outflows of Cameroonians to Nigeria.
The displacement situation became more complex following two other significant events. First, in December 2022 clashes over water resources broke out between herders, farmers, and fishermen in the Logon Birni region in. This led to a wave of violence that displaced thousands, including 36,000 people internally and some 40,000 people to Chad. Second, more than 150,000 people were affected by flooding in October and November 2022, including an estimated 60,000 persons forced from their homes due to rising water. Seasonal flooding continues to provoke new displacements annually, and not all those forced to move due to flood waters have been able to return.
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Sub Office, The Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer delivers the coordination functions necessary in UNHCRโs role as the Shelter Cluster (SC) Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach. The incumbent works within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach in the Far North, coordinating, facilitating, monitoring and reporting the situation and response to the shelter and NFI in the Far North across partners and in collaboration with the UNHCR lead working areas and with OCHA.
The Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer supports the national Shelter and NFI Cluster Coordinator in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms, for advocacy and facilitation for the inclusion of shelter and NFI priorities in the humanitarian response and early recovery activities. This includes the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Planning for the Far North. The Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer also contributes to cross-sectoral coordination with other related clusters 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 Cluster, especially age, gender, diversity, HIV, and contribute to the reinforce UNHCR IDPโs commitment.
The Assistant Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer works closely staff in the Office in the areas of data and information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.
Living and Working Conditions:
Based on the hardship living and Security conditions, Maroua were classified as Category E, Non family duty station for international staff.
Medical facilities: basic medical facilities exist in Maroua to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24h) before evacuation to Yaoundรฉ and then to outside of country as needed. Capacity, infrastructure, and equipment to treat and take in-patient in appropriate medical and sanitation conditions is not sufficient.
Maroua is located about 1500 Kilometer from the capital city Yaoundรฉ. Maroua has an airport for local flights. There are 3 humanitarian and 3 commercials flights per week departing and to Maroua. Maroua to Yaoundรฉ is 1 hours 30 mn by flight without stop over.
The local staff in Maroua benefit, the Special 10 in 9 arrangements of Compressed Work Schedule are special.
mitigation measures. The special 10 in 9 Compressed Work Schedule of 10 working weeks compressed into 9 weeks
does not create additional entitlements, but rather provides offices with greater flexibility in allowing locally recruited staff, time-off.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Architecture, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Shelter-related sciences
CertificationsCCCM Cluster Coordination - UNHCR, Emergency Management Workshop - UNHCR, HCR Coordination Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills - Other
Work ExperienceCluster Coordination and Inter-Agency
CompetenciesEmpowering & building trust (Good - 4), Inclusion (Good - 4), Teamwork & collaboration (Good - 4)
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance