This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Honduras at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Honduran citizens or candidates legally present in Honduras will be considered eligible.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement.

Spanish as mother tongue is essential. Working knowledge in English (B1) is desirable.

Contract duration: until 31st December 2024.

General Background

The main cause of forced displacement in Honduras is generalized violence, in addition to (i) social and territorial control by criminal gangs or armed groups, (ii) extortion, (iii) force recruitment, use and association; (iv) the dispossession, usurpation and destruction of housing, land, and property; (v) gender-based violence; (vi) political violence; (vii) human rights violations. Apart from these forced displacement triggers, the effects of climate change and related disasters are increasingly impacting Honduras.

In the present protection context of Honduras, the persistence of challenges faced by internally displaced people, those at risk of displacement, refugees, and asylum seekers is exacerbated by high violence levels, with enduring influence of independent criminal groups controlling territories and extortion threats. Human rights and land defenders also face significant risks. The risks posed by the multifaceted challenges faced by the Honduran population is evident in the significant number of Hondurans seeking asylum in Mexico in 2023. With over 40,000 requests, Honduras ranks second in the number of requests, reflecting the life-threatening situations that prompt people to flee Honduras.

The Government approved the Law for the Prevention, Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP Protection Law) in December 2022, and it came into effect in April 2023. In the meantime, the limited Government capacity to provide responses and solutions to internally displaced populations and those at-risk of displacement has contributed to further aggravate a general distrust on public institutions particularly among vulnerable groups in high-risk areas. The distrust on public institutions impacts the capacity of the Government to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including IDPs, and the effectively promote social policies designed to address gender inequality and promote human rights. Therefore, strengthening state capacity, reconnecting and rebuilding trust between communities and state institutions is key to not only address internal displacement, but to help the government of Honduras to achieve its sustainable development goals.

All UNHCR affiliates are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, affiliates are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Senior Shelter Assistant assists in carrying out comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, public health, WASH, administration and supply. To ensure the most effective response, both quantitative and qualitative data should be gathered on the profile/needs and living conditions of both the displaced population and host community. The incumbent will assist in the day to-day operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

The incumbent is supervised by the Programme Officer or another professional or more senior local staff depending on the staffing structure of the Office.

The Senior Shelter Assistant is expected to have contacts within the Organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners, contractors and other stakeholders to provide technical support on shelter and infrastructure issues as well as support and monitoring of construction contracts.

Technical Guidance:

Assist in the daily management of all UNHCR construction and infrastructure projects through Direct Implementation and Implementing Partners within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established UNHCR and national standards. Including the improvement including upgrades and refurbishment of UNHCR offices.
Follow up of the design and construction of infrastructure (schools, health centres, reception centres, drainage and roadworks etc) to confirm these are approved by the relevant authorities, technically sound, supplemented with accurate drawings, detailed BQs and specifications and they are implemented according to plans, completed within designated timelines, budget and ensure that this information is shared with relevant colleagues.
Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH, education and health so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
Assist implementing partners on technical shelter and infrastructure issues.

Coordination:

Provide technical assistance in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.
Actively work with Programme as a member of the Multi-Functional Team and participate in multi-sectoral activities to ensure protection and assistance needs of the population are met.
Assist in the preparation of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion.
Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

Fluency in Spanish and good working knowledge of English.

b. Work Experience

2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1-year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

Demonstrated experience in planning, construction and auditing of building construction and civil works.

c. Key Competencies

Certificates and/or Licences:

Civil Engineering Architecture

Required:

• Good technical knowledge about construction standards and guidance • Good knowledge of Auto Cad and/or REVIT Architecture • Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc). • Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of shelter standards, as well as standards related to environment and land use. • Good knowledge site surveying and experience in undertaking related topography assessments/ feasibility studies for site identification and environmental impact studies whilst using surveying tools (including GPS equipment, GIS software). • Strong English language skills.

Functional Skills

• *IT-MS Office Applications • WA-WASH-related Technologies • SP-AutoCAD software • EX-Experience in international/governmental organizations • SP-Topographic Surveying • IT-Computer Literacy (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Core Competencies:

• Accountability • Communication • Organizational Awareness • Teamwork & Collaboration • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking • Technological Awareness • Planning and Organizing