Associate Shelter Officer

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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.

The Kakuma Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement hosts approximately 221,257 refugees from across the region, including from South Sudan 58%, Somalia 18%, Ethiopia 5%, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 7%, Sudan 5% and Burundi 6%, & other nation-alities 1%. Approx. 56% of its population is under the age of 18, and there is a greater proportion of men 54% than women 46%. Kakuma refugee camp is split into 4 sub-camps, each with residential & market areas while Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement is divided into three villages. Due to areas that very prone to flooding in Kakuma refugee camp its habitable area is only enough to host about 90,000 refugees but it is currently home to more than 170,265, PoCs & Kalobeyei is home to 43,260 refugees. The huge population in Kakuma has put strain on public facilities and services such as water sup-ply, playgrounds, schools, communal centres, shelter constructions and other services. The situation complicated by the fact that Kalobeyei Settlement that was envisaged to decongest Kakuma has already reached full capacity.

In 2018, a cash-based interven-tion pilot project was implemented in Kalobeyei settlement & the evaluation exercise recognized this approach of transferring the cash directly to the beneficiaries to manage the construction of their houses through cash-based mechanism as one of the best ways to reduce the refugee dependency syndrome & promote their socio-economic integration, and to establish a good inter-linkage between the host and refugee commu-nities. By end of 2020 a total of 6030 transitional shelters had been converted to perma-nent shelters leading to approx. 75% total permanent shelter coverage in Ka-lobeyei. Several construction projects are in progress and others are in planning stages so the incumbent of the position must be very good design, in preparation of architec-tural and structural drawing, in preparing bill of quantities and cost estimates.

Under the direct supervision of the Settlement Planning Officer, and the overall guidance from the Senior Programme Officer, the Refugee UN Volunteer will be assigned shelter and infrastructure development related activities covering Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settle-ment and in close coordination with relevant sector focal points (e.g. WASH, Education, Pro-tection, Health, Livelihood). The UN volunteer is expected to share an equal amount of time in the field and in the office for the duties will involve field activities and reporting on the field ac-tivities.

The Refugee UN Volunteer is expected to undertake the following duties:

• 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 re-sources, 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 poli-cies adopted by the Government. When planning shelter works, ensuring that the technical component reflects UNHCR minimum standards for the provision of emer-gency 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 wa-ter 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 re-turn to their country of origin; • Ensuring that specifications, bills of quantities and drawings are produced in a techni-cally sound and standardised manner and establish monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure that works are implemented according to plans and completed within the des-ignated 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 com-munities 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 them-selves, 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 activi-ties; • Close and regular contact with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Im-plementing 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 re-garding all technical matters.

Results/Expected Output: • Shelter, Infrastructure and Site Planning activities implemented, respect UNHCR and Na-tional standards and specifications; • Shelter/Infrastructure activities supported to ensure that objectives as defined within UN-HCR Sub agreements are met within the year with specific emphasis on increased bene-ficiary targeting and participation; • Shelter/Infrastructure activities supervised, monitored and reported in a regular and con-sistent 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 Tech-nical 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 implementa-tion of technical activities for the beneficiaries by also identifying areas of capacity build-ing that can be supported by UNHCR;

• Integrity and professionalism: • Accountability: • Commitment to continuous learning: • Planning and organizing: • Teamwork and respect for diversity: • Communication: • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of oper-ations; 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. Master degree with 2 years relevant experience is acceptable

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.

Computer skills: 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.

Turkana County is generally characterized by high temperatures (average 35 degrees Celsi-us/95 Fahrenheit) and is relatively humid. January, February and March are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 38 Celcius / 100.4 Fahrenheit. Some es-sentials during these periods are a hat/cap, sunglasses and light (sweat absorbing) clothes. November-December is the short rainy season. Long rains start in mid-March and end in June. Movement to the camp/settlement and neighbouring towns becomes limited when the numerous seasonal rivers get flooded. The risk of malaria is high. Some of the hazards in the Kakuma operation includes dust storms, heat exhaustion, flooding, the presence of different insects, snakes, scorpions and high risk of malaria. Although there are no specific forecasted rains, sudden severe showers cannot be ruled out. The showers usually results in large mud-dy areas and overflowing of seasonal rivers. It should also be noted that overflowing seasonal rivers in Kakuma area can result from rains in highlands on the North Eastern Uganda border.

There are no medical facilities with high standards. Kakuma Mission Hospital at Kakuma town is the first point of call during medical emergency situations. There are also few medical clinics and chemist shops in Kakuma town with very basic facilities. Referrals and evacuations are primarily to Nairobi.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unv.org