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 are mainly Congolese from Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC. 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), ........

Under the direct supervision of Head of Field Office or his/her designated mandated representative, 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 standardized 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.

• 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.

Muyinga is classified as Security Level 3 and is a non-family duty station. The security situation is relatively calm. Muyinga is located 124 km from Bujumbura with the possibility of private and public transportation with 25 seats minibuses. UNHCR facilitates the transportation of staff from Muyinga to Bujumbura twice a month. All UN personnel must carry VHF radios when travelling; and it is mandatory to attend the safety briefing on arrival in the country.

In Bujumbura one can find shops, restaurants, sports and entertainment. In the provinces, however, living conditions are quite different and the poor conditions of roads and lack of access means that some provinces are quite remote. The UN security service has certain security standards that all housing must meet and UNV volunteers receive an allowance to ensure that these standards can be met.

The region of Muyinga counts approximately 865 892 persons spread in 7 rural municipalities. There is the possibility to find accommodation in the town with prices around 300 USD at most or being accommodated in the UNHCR guest house which meets all security demands. The electricity supply is erratic. There are some hotels located near the UNHCR Sub-Office validated by UNDSS.

Meals can be provided by the same hotels or by the cook from UNHCR guest house, with cereals, fruits, tuber vegetables and meat. Inside the office, there is a small fitness centre for staff that is partially equipped.

In terms of health, it is advised to drink bottled or boiled water; to be careful of what foods one eats; and to always take the necessary precautions against malaria which is a serious threat in the country. There are regular power cuts which oblige staff to seek for alternative source of electricity (e.g. use of generator).

R&R (Rest and Recuperation, a mandatory leave aiming to remove staff from a stressful location) is decided since 01 July 2015 for every 8 weeks.

The duty station provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.