UN Job Vacancies – Senior Shelter Associate – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Job Title: Senior Shelter Associate

Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duty Station: Uganda

Vacancy Notice: Internal/ External Vacancy notice no. 018/2020

Position Number: 10026744

Position Grade: GS-7

About US:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCR’s mandate under the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to lead and co-ordinate action for international protection to refugees; seek permanent solutions for the problems of refugees and safeguard refugee rights and well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate concerning issues of statelessness, as it is given a designated role under Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Job Summary:  The Senior Shelter Associate provides support in carrying out 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 provide support in 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.

Close and regular contact is maintained with technical and non-technical staff of shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The Senior Shelter Associate normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague or Technical Coordinator and normally supervises some support staff.

The incumbent assists the supervisor in 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. S/he provides technical support in general infrastructure planning, design and construction monitoring.

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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical Guidance

• Assist in carrying out shelter needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply.
• Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC).
• Assist the supervisor in developing and updating shelter strategies 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 the daily management of all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance to established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
• Monitor and follow up the design and construction of infrastructure (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 and implemented according to plans, completed within designated timelines, budget and ensure that this information is shared with relevant colleagues.
• Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH, education and health so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
• Assist implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with national and global standards, national and operational strategies and guidance.

Coordination

• Provide technical support in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.
• Assist in coordination and management of UNHCR’s shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
• Participate, as technical focal point within the AoR 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.

Collaboration

• Assist Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects.
• 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.
• Draft bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
• Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion
• Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Senior Shelter Associate job placement should hold a High school diploma. Required.
• Additional qualifications in Civil Engineering, Architecture is required
• At least four years of previous job experience relevant to the function is required.
• Versatile in use of word processing and spreadsheet applications ability to prepare schedules / bills of quantities and estimating cost is required.
• Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programs is required
• Knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of computer graphics, AutoCAD and mapping software as well as the capacity to use mapping tools (GPS), and digital photographic equipment, and related software (map info etc.) is desirable.
• Analytical Thinking
• Technological Awareness
• Innovation and Creativity

How to Apply:

All interested Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job details.

Click Here

Deadline: 21^st October 2020