Associate Shelter Officer (Cluster)

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.

UNHCR is responsible for the protection for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Burkina Faso. Within the IDP context, as of 31 March 2023, there were 2,062,534 IDPs in various regions of the country (Sahel, Centre Nord, and Est), UNHCR has been designated the lead of the Protection and Shelter/Non Food Items (NFI) Clusters to ensure that IDP are provided with protection and assistance according to international standards. Therefore UNCHR is tasked to provide technical and strategic support in theses two areas to the various offices and partners through the Clusters in Burkina Faso. Further UNHCR is also working with Implementing Partners in Protection and Shelter to implement partner protection and assistance activities. The UNV will work within the Shelter Cluster Coordination team in UNHCR Branch office in Ouagadougou but will be travelling extensively as allowed by security restrictions in place. The Shelter Cluster Coordination team support the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) objective of improving the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations by actors in the sector of shelter and non-food items (NFI).

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer, the UN volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Ensuring that Shelter Cluster partners are supported in carrying out shelter needs assessments, Post distribution monitoring report considering the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns; • Ensure that monthly regular cluster and technical working meetings are done, and reports disseminated to shelter cluster partners and launch them on the national and the global cluster website site; • Contribute to the development of country level shelter cluster strategy 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 the information management officer, compiling, analyzing and mapping available information on shelter options in country considering relevant policies adopted by the Government and the cluster shelter; • Ensure that shelter partners when planning shelter works, that the technical component reflects shelter cluster minimum standards for the provision of emergency and other types of shelter assistance and is within the recommended budgetary requirements approved by the cluster. Due consideration should be given to standards in other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation, protection and CCCM/GSAT; • Participate the periodical review of shelter cluster strategy 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 cluster recommendations; • 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 dis-placed and host populations; • The position requires regular contact with other clusters colleagues and partners, program, protection and field staff in country in order to ensure that shelter cluster strategy are considered in all technical support related to shelter and construction activities; • Close and regular contact with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, shelter cluster Partners, National and International NGOs and Government Authorities, is essential to discuss matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision;

Competencies and values:

• 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

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. Attendance to humanitarian Shelter Cluster Training will be an asset.

Burkina Faso has more than 60 ethnic groups, each with its own own cultural values and its organizational model of society. One of the main characteristics of the inhabitants of the "le Pays des hommes intègres - land of honest men" is undoubtedly the popular affection for cultural traditions. The people of Burkina Faso are peaceful and very welcoming to foreigners. As a general rules, it is customary to greet your interlocutors before any start of conversation (in-quire, buy, ...).

This position is based in Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso. Ouagadougou is classified as duty station category C, with security phase level 4 - substantiel. It is a non family duty station with R&R. The R&R cycle is 8 weeks. The living conditions are basics and the climate is semi-arid.

To enter Burkina Faso, a valid passport is required. A visa is also compulsory, except for ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and European Union nationals of other countries should contact the closest representation of Burkina Faso. Visas are issued by Embassies and consulates of Burkina Faso in various West African countries and in other parts of the world.

The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory and vaccination cards should be brought with you.

Burkina Faso is a French speaking country and the IUNV should be able to communicate in French.

In the past year, the security and human rights situation in Northern and Eastern Burkina Faso has significantly deteriorated, leading to substantial displacement. The number of IDPs has reached 2,062,534 displaced in 31 March 2023. Cross-border displacement is also occurring. At least 14,000 people have fled to neighbouring Mali and Niger, while some 2,000 Burkinabe have fled to Ghana. As a result of the internal displacement, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), in close collaboration with the Government of Burkina Faso, has set up a coordination mechanism in-volving several sectoral groups to respond to the needs of the population affected by the cri-sis.