Shelter and Settlements Specialist (Infrastructure, WASH, Energy) Iraq-Internal Candidates Only

Contract

This is a Professional contract, Grade 9 (NRC) contract. More about Professional contract, Grade 9 (NRC) contracts.

Background:

Iraq is gradually rebuilding following the conclusion of military operations against the Islamic State (IS) group in late 2017. However, the political and security situations remain unstable, with socio-economic situation continues to challenge most communities. Since the end of large-scale military operations, 81% (4,969,788) of the total (6,147,022) IDPs displaced in Iraq had returned to their homes of origin as of March 2022, which poses new challenges for recovery after years of displacement. Those who have returned home continue to struggle with limited access to services and livelihood opportunities. Iraq is also amid a water scarcity crisis stemming from record low levels of rainfall, increasing temperatures, poor water resource governance, and reductions in water flow into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from upstream countries. NRC runs integrated and diverse programmes across Iraq to respond to displacement affected people through shelter and settlements, education, legal assistance, protection from violence, livelihoods & economic inclusion programmes.

Role and Responsibilities:

The Shelter and Settlements Specialist (Infrastructure, WASH, Energy) role will provide a range of advisory and technical support to ensure the strategic direction and quality assurance of shelter & settlement (S&S) core competency. The position will provide leadership support to Infrastructure, WASH, Shelter and Energy initiatives across assigned projects. The Specialist will also contribute towards the Self-Reliance and Durable Solutions programming through promotion of integrated approaches and working closely with other technical specialists. The Specialist is responsible for mentoring, training, and building the capacity of the relevant technical and programme staff.

Generic responsibilities:

• Develop S&S strategy, technical guidance and Macro Logical Framework Analysis (LFAs) that are aligned with regional and global strategies and priorities.
• Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
• Contribute to fundraising, develop and revise funding proposal, budgets and donor reports
• Identify trends technical standards and donor priorities
• Follow up on compliance with contractual commitments within S&S, ensure high technical quality and synergies in project implementation.
• Provide technical direction and project implementation support.
• Ensure that key learnings are extracted from S&S implementation, and incorporate them in S&S and staff development processes.
• Provide systematic training and build capacity of technical staff.
• Represent NRC in relevant forums/clusters, including with national authorities and donors.
• Promote the rights of Internally Displaced People (IDPs)/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership. Lead the development of the S&S technical strategies as part of the broader Country Strategy development process. This includes contributing to Integrated Programming through active collaboration and coordination with other Core Competencies, engagement in cross-cutting initiatives and developing/adapting Theories of Change through participatory processes, and defining the role of key stakeholdres and partners.
• Technical Lead. Technical lead for S&S core competency in Iraq and provide leadership support to Infastructure, WASH and Energy solutions across assigned projects. Support project managers and technical coordinators throughout the project cycle management.
• Capacity Building. Mentor and coach key technical staff based in area offices to develop their skills with an aim to nationalise senior positions within the organisation within the timeframe of the Country Strategy.
• Quality. Responsible for technical quality of S&S interventions (including Infrastructure, WASH and Energy) and to promote harmonisation and consistency across projects and areas of operation. Promote technical approaches towards climate adaptation and environmental impact, multiplying impact through access to clean energy, embedding infrastructure in market system development.
• Learning and Innovation. Lead the harmonising and strengthening S&S monitoring and evaluation tools and systems, in collaboration with the M&E team. Responsible for supporting programme learning throughout the project-cycle. Promote innovative programme approaches and initiatives through testing pilots, integration of technology, and building strategic partnerships.
• Coordination and Advocacy. Work closely with regional and global technical leads (Shelter & Settlement, WASH and Climate & Environment) to cascade global initiatives and align Iraq programmes with global and regional priorities. Contribute to NRC’s advocacy objectives through meaningful engagement in briefings, development of advocacy products and coordination. As delegated by the HoP, represent NRC in the relevant coordination fora, and with external stakeholders.
• Project Design and Fundraising. Lead the development of S&S proposals (project design, narrative and budgets) and contribute to multi-CC, integrated thematic proposals that have S&S components. In all instances, support and work collaboratively with Area Offices to brainstorm solutions and approaches. Fundraising responsibilities also include donor communication and representation on CC-specific issues and identifying funding opportunities

Critical Interfaces

By critical interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons, but not under the position’s line management. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• Technical advice for coordination, programme development and quality support: Regional and Global Technical Leads on Shelter & Settlement, WASH and Climate & Environment, CC Specialists, Programme Manager, Project Managers and Coordinators and Area Program Managers
• Monitoring Evaluation and Accountability: M&E Manager
• Capacity development: Project Managers, Project Coordinators, Area Programme Managers and CC Specialists.

Scale and scope of position:

Staff:

N/A

Stakeholders:

External: National and governorate level stakeholders, Peer agencies, research and academic institutions, private sector stakeholders and donor.

Internal: CC Specialists, M&E Manager, Area Programme Managers and Area Managers, Project Managers (primarily those working on Shelter & Settlement, WASH and Climate & Environment projects)

Budgets:

N/A

Information:

GORS, assessment data and needs analysis, community accountability and response mechanisms,

Legal or compliance:

N/A

Competencies:

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories:

1.Professional Competencies

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies for this position:

• Advanced degree in relevant sector including humanitarian and/or development work.
• Technical competences related to the position’s responsibilities, with a minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in a technical advisory role
• Experience of developing, testing and implementing practical tools and resources to strengthen outcome orientated programming
• Experience and expertise as technical advisor, specialist or demonstrated success moving forward a technical development area across levels of the organisation.
• Experience of delivering learning and development as part of quality improvement and capacity building
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Arabic language skills are an advantage.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience with shelter, settlement, infrastructure development and climate change programming and strategy development for the nexus programing.
• Experience designing and implementing integrated and innovative programming approaches such as area-based approach, technology transfer, green energy solutions and market-based approaches. Experience in developing and facilitating processes for innovative programming in the areas of infrastructure, settlements and climate change.
• Very strong analytical skills (experience in collecting and analyzing large quantities of data)
• Experience in facilitating the capacity building efforts of diverse colleagues, including internal and external stakeholders

2. Behavioural competencies:

• Strategic thinking
• Analysing
• Influencing
• Empowering and building trust
• Initiating action and change
• Handling insecure environment

Performance Management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the NRC Performance Management Manual. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The Work and Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

What We Offer:

• Contract period: 12 months (renewable subject to funding availability and performance)
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions
• The position is open to internal NRC candidates only
• Duty station: Erbil, Iraq
• Travel: 40% (in country)