ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated to protect and assist men, women and children forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict or persecution. UNHCR is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people. The Agency provides protection, shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers around the world.

The dream of most refugees is to return home. If and where possible, UNHCR helps refugees make this dream a reality. When refugees cannot go back home, we work to find solutions for them, to rebuild their lives in another country. Since its formation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR has helped millions of refugees restart their lives and has received the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Shelter Assistant assists 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 assist in the day to-day operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

The incumbent is supervised by the Programme Officer or another professional or more senior local staff depending on the staffing structure of the Office.

The Senior Shelter Assistant is expected to have contacts within the Organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners, contractors and other stakeholders to provide technical support on shelter and infrastructure issues as well as support and monitoring of construction contracts.

Responsibilities

Technical Guidance:

– Assist in the daily management of all UNHCR construction and infrastructure projects through Direct Implementation and Implementing Partners within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established UNHCR and national standards.

Including the improvement including upgrades and refurbishment of UNHCR offices.

– Follow up of 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 they are 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 technical shelter and infrastructure issues.

Coordination:

– Provide technical assistance in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.

– Actively work with Programme as a member of the Multi-Functional Team and participate in multi-sectoral activities to ensure protection and assistance needs of the population are met.

– Assist 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 during implementation and at completion.

– Perform other related duties as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION: High School Diploma

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 24