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.

Since December 2013, the internal conflict that arose in South Sudan has devastated the lives of millions of South Sudanese and displaced more than 4 million people. About 1.9 million of them have been displaced internally and over 2 Million are refugees in neighboring countries. In response to the needs of the displaced, UNHCR initiated its protection and assistance programme, within the UN system-wide cluster approach primarily in the areas of Protection, Shelter/NFI and Camp Coordination and Camp Management, with further search for possible solutions for those displaced returning to their homes and/or their ancestral lands or relocations. This position would be essential to providing expert technical service in the area of Shelter and Construction of Communal Infrastructure facilities for refugees, UNHCR and its partners and support the coordination in refugee camps and displacement affected areas in Central Equatoria State. The Associate Shelter officer together with UNHCR’s Associate Settlement Planning Officer and partners will be in charge of recommending timely and practical solutions to improve the quality and impact of infrastructure among the communities.

Under the direct supervision of Senior Program Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

 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 programme, 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.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:  Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;  Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs:  Shelter, Infrastructure and Site Planning activities implemented, respect UNHCR and National standards and specifications;  Shelter/Infrastructure activities supported to ensure that objectives as defined within UNHCR Sub agreements are met within the year with specific emphasis on increased beneficiary targeting and participation;  Shelter/Infrastructure activities supervised, monitored and reported in a regular and consistent manner to the Sub-Office;
 Field activities and Field staff supported by increased presence of the Technical unit by regular field visits in the Camps with activities closely monitored and supervised;  Technical drawings, designs, Bills of Quantities and Specifications produced by the Technical Unit are developed and reviewed to ensure consistency/coherence accuracy and appropriateness;  UNHCR functional units such as Admin, Supply, Program, Field, and Protection provided with the required technical support in a timely manner so that objectives of the UNHCR are attained;  UNHCR Implementing Partners and the Government are supported in their implementation of technical activities for the beneficiaries by also identifying areas of capacity building that can be supported by UNHCR;
 The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);  Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment  A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

 Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.  Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.  Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.  Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;  Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;  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.

 This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

The political context of South Sudan remains unpredictable following the 15 December 2013, armed violence that erupted in the capital city of Juba and has quickly spread through the country, affecting four of the country’s ten states, namely Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Cen-tral Equatorial States. Since December 2013, the conflict has devastated the lives of millions of South Sudanese and displaced more than 2 million people. About 1.5 million of them have been displaced internally in South Sudan and over 500,000 are refugees in neighboring coun-tries.

South Sudan is a difficult duty station, which is classified as a non-family duty station as there is basic infrastructure in the capital city Juba and the country. The highly recommended vaccination in South Sudan is Yellow Fever. Please note that with-out evidence of yellow fever vaccination, access to South Sudan is restricted. Similarly, vac-cination for Hepatitis A & B are also necessary.

South Sudan is Security Level III. There is a UN imposed curfew from 7:00pm to 6:00am due to security and crime issues. However, Juba is under Security Level IV. The widely used currency for business transaction is the South Sudan Pounds (SSP). Banking Services are widely available in Juba. However, the use of bank credit and debit cards is limited. There are two mobile telephone companies including ZAIN & MTN providing services and sim cards can be easily bought with cash after registration by the Service provider. There are no fixed telephone lines in South Sudan/Juba.

South Sudan electricity on the national grid is almost non-existent as it’s switched on once in a while. Juba is powered by individual household generators. Water tanks are the source of running water to households. here are restaurants in Juba serving food from different regions of the world. Markets and shops are fairly well-stocked with food items, clothes and other household goods. There are also local markets for vegetables and other farm produce. The cost of living is generally high as almost all of the goods are imported. In Juba all international staff reside at UNHCR provided accommodation. Mental robustness thus needed in light of the highly stressful environment with tight deadlines.

There are limited medical facilities in Juba, therefore, staff assigned must be in good health. Candidates with conditions that would require regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Sick Staff are referred to Juba where UN personnel are provided medical services in the UN Agency clinic. Please complete with the required information as per country Living Conditions. A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utili-ties, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by ap-plying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,587.