Shelter Officer

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)C

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS IICA2

Target Start Date2023-06-01

Job Posting End DateMay 18, 2023

Terms of ReferenceTERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)

Title: Shelter Officer
Duty station: Djibouti, Djibouti
Section/Unit: CRRF - UNHCR Djibouti
ICA Level: IICA-2
Corresponding level: P3
Duration: Expected from 01/06/2023 to 31/12/2023

1. General Background

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. In first instance, the incumbent ensures that UNHCR Field Operations are supported in carrying out shelter, infrastructure and settlement 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, and ministries particularly Ministère de l'Habitat, de l'Urbanisme et de l'Environnement for related projects targeting POCs. . The incumbent also discusses matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision.
Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent include shelter & infrastructure design, planning, implementation and construction monitoring including remote monitoring (if necessary) throughout all phases of the sheltering cycle, therefore the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture or a related discipline.
The incumbent ensures that shelter responses within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from local building practices and materials.
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 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.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

1. Duties

Technical Guidance
- Develop and periodically update a suitable shelter approach for the UNHCR Operation, 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.
- 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 including: the Global Compact on Refugees, Sustainable Development Goals, Relevant Global Strategies and Policies.
- Provide 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 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, ensure that due consideration is given to standards in other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation, infrastructure for reception, education and health so that implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- Enforce the adherence of technical elements to standards that reflect UNHCR and other international minimum standards and implementation within budgetary requirements for all shelter and infrastructure works.
- Establish 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 works to confirm these are approved by the relevant authorities, technically sound, supplemented with accurate drawings, detailed BOQs and specifications.
- Provide technical information on the SIP (settlement information portal), and ensure shelter dashboards are populated with relevant data, prepare mission reports and debrief.
- Advice UNHCR’s implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with global, national and operational strategies and guidance.
- Disseminate and ensure compliance with appropriate internationally accepted shelter standards, best practice and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners to meet quality and oversight expectations.
Coordination and Leadership
- Ensure 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 and manage 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. Upon request from the supervisor, liaise with the relevant stakeholders including government, line ministries Liaise with the local government, line ministries particularly Ministère de l'Habitat, de l'Urbanisme et de l'Environnement and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
- Take on the role of the coordination of shelter and settlement activities in line with the Refugee Coordination Model.
- 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 country considering relevant policies, guidelines and plans adopted by the Government.
Collaboration
- Collaborate with Programme and emphasise the importance of reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects. Provide advice to the MFT during Implementing Partner Selection of shelter sector partners.
- Work with relevant technical units to provide technical advice to the Multi-Functional Team in the Operation and regularly participate in multi-sectoral activities to contribute ensuring that protection and assistance needs of the population are met.
- 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 and drawings for bid documents.
- Participate in 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.
- Assist the supervisor in the 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 the 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.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Reporting dates:
The Shelter Officer is expected to report on regular basis in accordance with the assigned workplan set with the supervisor under his/her AoR.

- Daily, Weekly and Monthly reports to the Supervisor.
- Final report due 31 December 2023.
Final Evaluation:
- The final evaluation will be carried out by the Supervisor.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education and work Experience

6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree in the follwing filed of education:

Architecture; Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering; Construction Management; or other relevant field
Certificate:
Shelter Coordination Training or other similar certificate

Relevant Job Experience

Essential
Prior experience of implementing shelter and infrastructure projects in humanitarian context and large-scale emergencies coordinating with operational partners governmental 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 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 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 (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.

c. Key Competencies

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy
SP-Environment Planning
SP-Design tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS)
SP-Shelter and Site Planning Technical Guidelines and Standards
SP-Infrastructure Development/Construction Management/Property Management
EX-Field experience in emergency and/or large-scale settings
SP-AutoCAD software
PR-Global Shelter Cluster Strategy
SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination
SP-Environmental Assessment/Planning/Monitoring/Evaluation of integrated projects/programs

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust

Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Technological Awareness
Stakeholder Management

Language Requirements

Mandatory: French (advanced level)
Desirable: English (intermediate level)

Standard Job Description

Required Languages French

,

Desired Languages English

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance