Shelter Associate (m/f)

Description

• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization with the mandate to assist persons in need of international protection; asylum seekers; refugees; statelessness; and internally displaced persons. The UNHCR operation in Mozambique has its main office in Maputo and field offices in Nampula and Pemba. The working language in the UNHCR offices in Mozambique is English
• The Shelter Associate provides support in carrying out comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, administration and supply. To ensure the most effective response, both quantitative and qualitative data should be gathered on the profile and living conditions of both the displaced population and host community
• The incumbent will assist in the day to-day operations of all shelter, construction and infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). S/he will be expected to ensure that work specifications, bills of quantities and drawings are produced in a technically sound and standardized manner, implemented according to plans and completed within the designated timeframe. Together with UNHCR's implementing partners, h/she will also ensure that the technical component reflects UNHCR minimum standards, and that the provision of emergency and other types of shelter assistance is within the budgetary requirements, evolves progressively towards more durable shelter and draws from sustainable local building practices and materials
• The incumbent will develop all required documentation in area of responsibility and work closely with other sections on site planning and NFI related activities, providing functional technical support. S/he is also expected to participate in maintaining effective coordination with any established settlement and shelter sector working group at his/her level. S/he will be required to maintain regular contact with programme, supply, protection and field staff in country on all programmatic issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR)
• The Shelter Associate will be guided by UNHCR policies, UN Handbooks, Policy papers and priorities and will maintain contacts with local officials and implementing partners regarding shelter, NFI and infrastructure conditions in IDP sites and host community areas
• Category/grade: General Service, G6
• Post Number: 10035471
• Type of contract: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)
• The Effective Date of Assignment: As soon as possible

Duties

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 prioritizes 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
• 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 synchronized 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 PoC 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
• Provide support in the preparation of 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
• Perform other related duties as required

Requisites

• Years of Experience / Degree Level:
• For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
• Field(s) of Education
• Not applicable
• (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
• Certificates and/or Licenses:
• Civil Engineering; Architecture
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
• Relevant Job Experience:
• Essential:
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards and the ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, and computer equipment. Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programs
• Desirable:
• Knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards, as well as standards related to protection, environment and land use
• Knowledge of a range of shelter assistance options, including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of PoC is taken into account while designing and developing shelter options. 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.)
• Functional Skills:
• IT-MS Office Applications
• IT-AutoCAD (Computer Assisted Design Software)
• SP-CAD/CAM Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing
• MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
• SP-Sphere Handbook
• SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination
• UN-Knowledge of UN/UNHCR terminology
• (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
• Language Requirements:
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English
• Competency requirements:
• All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below
• 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
• Innovation and Creativity

Notas

• Eligibility: Interested staff members should consult the Administrative Instruction on Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS, UNHCR/AI/2020/1/Rev.2). If you have questions regarding your eligibility, you may also contact the HR Unit
• In line with the RALS, the below category of candidates are eligible to apply for internally/externally advertised vacancies
• Group 1 candidates: Group 1 comprises current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above. However, current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the country of the vacancy who apply for a position two grades above their current position are considered as Group 2
• Group 2 candidates: Group 2 comprises candidates from the below categories after completion of one cumulative or continuous year of service in the country of the vacancy
• Currently employed locally recruited UNHCR staff members holding a Temporary Appointment up to a maximum of two grades above their current positions
• Former locally recruited UNHCR staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females) up to a maximum of two grades above the last position at UNHCR
• National United Nations Volunteers currently working for UNHCR
• National UNOPS and individual contractors currently working for UNHCR
• Current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to a position in the same category two grades above the staff member’s personal grade
• Current UNHCR staff members in the International Professional category holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to a GS post
• Current UNHCR staff members in the NPO category holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to a GS post
• Current locally recruited female staff members from other UN system Organizations holding the equivalent of an indefinite or fixed-term appointment
• External candidates: External candidates are candidates who are not in Group 1 or Group 2. They must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and candidates not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country
• 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
• Submission of Applications: Interested internal candidates (Group 1 and Group 2) should apply through MSRP - Self-Service - Recruiting Activities - Careers (please search by JO number or by Location). Please update your personal profiles with all required information in order to be able to apply. Please consult the attached documents for further guidance on how to update the personal profile
• Interested external applicants are also invited to apply online and complete the mandatory motivation letter. External vacancies are posted on the external UNHCR website and applicants who do not have internal status must apply through the external UNHCR website. https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html - Careers - Career opportunities - Other Opportunities - Vacancies - sort by Location or search by Job Opening number
• Not signed, incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and only candidates who have passed the test will be called for oral interviews. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees) Applications will be accepted only via the online portals. Please do not send application via email.
• 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 strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behaviour and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80
• For any technical problems encountered during the online application, please send an email to the below email address titled “Online VA Query-your name and surname”. Human Resources mozma@unhcr.org