Associate Shelter Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

As of the end of December 2020, 75,448 refugees and 4,917 asylum seekers are registered in Burundi, of which 34,220 (mainly Congolese from Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC) are based in 3 differents camps in Ruyigi and Cankuzo provinces under the direct supervision of the Sub-Office Ruyigi: Bwagiriza/Ruyigi (9,537), Kavumu/Cankuzo (15,747) and Nyankanda/Ruyigi (8,926). Three refugee camps are currently under the supervision of UNHCR Ruyigi, Burundi. Bwagiriza camp is located in Ruyigi province, Butezi municipality and was opened in 2009; Kavumu camp, hosting 15,747 refugees, is located in Cankuzo province and was opened in 2013. Nyankanda camp is located in Ruyigi province, Butezi municipality and was opened in 2018 to manage the arrivals of new refugees and decongest older camps of Bwagiriza, Kavumu, Kinama and Musasa. Before 2020, Nyankanda Camp received, via the Cishemere Transit Centre, a monthly average of 500 people from the DRC newly recognized as refugees in Burundi and some urban refugees who had decided to leave Bujumbura in order to live in the refugee camps. From 2020, with the Covid-19 Pandemic, only 664 familles/2333 refugees were received in Nyankanda Camp. Nyankanda camp which has an initial capacity of 11.000 refugees is almost saturated. Protection and assistance to persons of concern are implemented in collaboration with implementing and operational partners including: ONPRA facilitate the administration and management of refugee camps as well as protection (RSD) and Securyty of persons of concern; Other partners include: COPED (Shelter/Infrastructure, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation and Energy in Refugee Camps), IRC (PBS Assistance, Empowerment, Legal Assistance, Fuel Management and Garage), ........

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of head of Office of SO Ruyigi or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer associate Shelter Officer will:

• Ensuring that UNHCR Field operations are supported in carrying out shelter needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns; • Developing country level shelter strategies which are framed by UNHCR’s Global Strategy for Settlement and Shelter and take into consideration the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure; • Providing clear guidance on standards for shelter and settlement, including minimum emergency standards to meet basic and essential needs; • Together with UNHCR's implementing partners, compiling, analysing and mapping available information on shelter options in country taking into account relevant policies adopted by the Government. When planning shelter works, ensuring that the technical component reflects UNHCR minimum standards for the provision of emergency and other types of shelter assistance and is within the budgetary requirements. Due consideration should be given to standards in other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation; • Ensuring the shelter strategy is periodically reviewed to reflect the evolving situation in country and progressively transitioning to more sustainable shelter solutions. This process should be done in close collaboration with the beneficiaries and the host Government while bearing in mind the shelter needs of people upon their eventual return to their country of origin; • Ensuring that specifications, bills of quantities and drawings are produced in a technically sound and standardised manner and establish monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure that works are implemented according to plans and completed within the designated timeframe; • Promoting the sustainability of technical interventions through local capacity building and self-help in collaboration with local partners in the field. Ensure that local communities have been consulted on all activities so as not to create unnecessary tension between the displaced and host populations; • In consultation with UNHCR’s implementing partner and local communities themselves, identifying the need for community based Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) that can benefit the local and displaced communities; • The position requires regular contact with programm, protection and field staff in country in order to ensure technical support related to shelter and construction activities; • Close and regular contact with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, National and International NGOs and Government Authorities, is essential to discuss matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision; • Maintaining regular contact with the Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva regarding all technical matters.

• Integrity and professionalism, • Accountability, • Commitment to continuous learning, • Planning and organizing, • Teamwork and respect for diversity, • Multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication? • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

management of humanitarian shelter or settlement programs / projects or a combination of experience in the humanitarian sector and construction-related activities outside of the humanitarian sector such as supervision of construction works. Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and negotiation skills in a cross cultural environment and the ability to assist in communication of technical and non-technical details with Government technical staff as well as NGO staff and local authorities. Knowledge of computer software (MS Word, Excel PowerPoint), as well as the capacity to use mapping tools, i.e. GPS and knowledge of construction drawing and design software (AutoCad or MS Visio, Hipanet etc) is a great added advantage.

The town of Ruyigi is located 168 km from Bujumbura with the possibility of private and public transportation with 25 seats minibuses. UNHCR facilitate the transportation of staff from Ruyigi to Bujumbura every two weeks (staff welfare).

The region of Ruyigi counts approximately 505.000 persons spread in 7 rural municipalities. There is the possibility to find accommodation in the town with prices around 200 – 400 USD at most or being accommodated in the UNHCR guesthouse which meets all security demands. In Ruyigi there are two hotels located not far from the Office (few meters) and validated by UNDSS (UMUCO and EMMAUS hotels). In Ruyigi there is no facility for leisure besides trekking in the surrounding hills. However, there is within the Office, a small fitness centre for staff and partially equipped.
Meals can be provided by the same hotel or by the cook from UNHCR guesthouse, with cereals, fruits, tuber vegetables, vegetables and meat.