Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS IICA1
Target Start Date2023-11-16
Job Posting End DateDecember 2, 2023
Terms of ReferenceInternational individual contracts apply to a person who does not reside in the country where he or she is to perform the services.
Individuals cannot be hired under an international individual contract in the country of their nationality or permanent residence.
Selected candidate will be required to work from San Salvador, El Salvador
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and may be required to sit for a test and will undertake a competency-based interview.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and job inclusion, therefore, all people are encouraged to apply for this vacancy regardless of religion, age, sex, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org
1. General Background
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the agency of the United Nations System with the mandate to provide international protection and seek durable solutions that respond to the needs of the refugee population, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and other people UNHCR care for.
El Salvador has a population of 6.3 million people, with at least 20% of El Salvador's population living abroad. The flow of remittances by Salvadorans represents an important revenue for the country. According to the 2022 Multipurpose Household Survey, 26.6% of the population in El Salvador live below the poverty line, out of which 8.6% are extremely poor. The rise in food prices impact social stability, exacerbating inequalities and vulnerabilities to shocks. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tropical storms hit hard in the past.
Like other countries in the region, El Salvador was historically affected by violence and displacement within the country and abroad. However, the situation in progressively changing generating opportunities to advance solutions to internal displacement. Changes in public security present opportunities for finding medium- and long-term solutions in communities historically affected by gang violence and territorial control.
El Salvador is committed to identifying and addressing protection and solutions for refugees, internally displaced people, returnees with protection needs, and stateless individuals. El Salvador is party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. In 2020, El Salvador approved the Special Law for the Care and Integral Protection of Victims of Violence in Conditions of Forced Internal Displacement.
Since July 2019, El Salvador is actively engaged in the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS in Spanish), a regional application of the Global Compact on Refugees. Growing mixed population flows across the countries in the north of Central America is a priority in the regional agenda. The increasingly complex human mobility context demands additional efforts for coordinating protection-oriented responses.
UNHCR’s 2023-2026 Strategy in El Salvador builds upon continuous assessments of existing needs and progress to protect, assist, and find solutions for internally displaced and at risk of displacement persons, refugees, asylum- seekers, and returnees with protection needs.
UNHCR is active in the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the 2022-2026 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which prioritizes responses to the needs of internally displaced people and refugees. UNHCR is an active member of the Humanitarian Country Team. UNHCR leads the Protection Sector and co-leads the CCCM and Shelter sectors.
UNHCR seeks to meaningfully engage, empower, inform, and seek the views of people in decisions that affect their lives, as drivers for greater equality and social cohesion. UNHCR’s activities are present in over 40 communities and 17 Municipalities nationwide.
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.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The Associate Shelter Officer contributes to the supervision of 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. The incumbent will also support the operation on the coordination of the Shelter Cluster (SC) to ensure UNHCR’s role as the SC Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach.
The incumbent also ensures that UNHCR Field Operation(s) are supported in carrying out shelter and infrastructure needs assessments considering the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of movements.
The Associate Shelter 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, people with disabilities, and environment.
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 the coordination and provision of NFI, shelter and infrastructure. The Associate 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 the Bureau and with 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, focusing on an approach of resilience to the climate change.
Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent include shelter and general infrastructure planning, design and construction monitoring including remote monitoring, technical support for legal issues (construction permits, land property, etc.) and administrative issues (technical file and contracting processes) of a construction. Therefore, the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture, or a related discipline.
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 always 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.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Technical Guidance
- Develop and periodically update a suitable shelter approach within the AoR, 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.
- Carry out 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.
- Provide support in developing 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.
- Provide support in developing shelter responses that are developed in line with the Master Planning Principles and designed to adapt to an area-based approach in implementation.
- 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, to work closely with other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation, infrastructure for reception, education, and health so that implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- 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.
- 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.
- Advice UNHCR’s implementing partners on 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.
- Coordinate 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 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.
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Collaboration
- Provide support to Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects. Provide technical inputs and support 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 in terms de infrastructure, housing, and shelter.
- Work with the Supply team to advise 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.
- 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 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.
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Shelter Cluster Responsibilities
Coordination
- Coordinate the shelter cluster, including meetings, in line with the Principles of Partnership, in an inclusive, effective, and results-oriented manner, so that UNHCR’s operational footprint is aligned with the agency goals.
- Establish strong working relationships with the shelter cluster members to facilitate effective collaboration and communication.
- Contribute to the development of a Shelter Cluster 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 mobilization and prioritization within the Shelter Cluster 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
- Contribute to initiatives to build the shelter capacity of the national and local government, partners, and civil society.
- Contribute to the delivery of shelter training activities for Shelter Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Support capacity building of the government counterpart or the organization that will take over the coordination of the cluster once this is phased out.
Information Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Contribute to development and implementation of Shelter Cluster 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 (Factsheet, Sitreport, Newsletters, etc.).
Advocacy, Promotion and Fundraising
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the Shelter Cluster through a consultative process.
- Participate when requested in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities, donors, and other relevant interlocutors. The bilateral relationship with sector partners must do frequently
- Support the development of reports and advocacy statements on behalf of the Shelter Cluster.
- With the support of the supervisor, approach donors and other potential sources of funding to explain the Shelter Cluster strategy, challenges, and progress, and to advocate for funding for the overall shelter sector.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
Diploma or certificate/license in Architecture; Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering; Construction Management; Shelter Coordination Training; or another relevant field.
b. Work Experience
• Minimum 5 years of previous work experience relevant to the function with Bachelors.
• Minimum 3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function with Masters
• Minimum 2 years of previous work experience relevant to the function with Doctorate degree.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Prior experience in implementing shelter and infrastructure projects in humanitarian contexts and large-scale emergencies coordinating with partners and governmental entities.
- Prior experience in designing and implementing a shelter strategy, including host family situations, individual shelter, collective shelter, and camp settings, in emergency while considering the transition to more sustainable solutions.
- Project formulation, planning, supervision, and management skills.
- Knowledge of AutoCAD and other tools forming a part of the UNHCR settlement planning toolkit. Previous involvement in implementation processes (including development of 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 settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programmes.
- Experience in building on existing local capacity and transfer knowledge as appropriate.
Desirable
- 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 considered while designing, developing, and implementing shelter options.
- 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.
c. Key Competencies
Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English.
Functional Skills
- *SP-AutoCAD software
- IT-Computer Literacy
- MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
- SP-CAD/CAM Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing
- SP-Sphere Handbook
- MG-Crisis/Emergency Relief Management
- SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination.
- UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles, and policies
- UN-UN Systems and Processes
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Core Competencies
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
- Empowering and Building Trust
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Leadership
Cross-Functional Competencies
- Analytical Thinking
- Technological Awareness
- Political Awareness
Standard Job Description
Required Languages English
,Spanish
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance