Shelter Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The deterioration of the situation has triggered an accelerated movement of people out of the country and to border regions and over 400,000 Venezuelans have sought asylum abroad. In addition, many Venezuelans have been undertaking pendular cross-border movements to access food staples, medicines, medical attention, education or work and livelihoods restricted by the quarantine due to COVID19. Many border cities in Táchira, Apure and Zulia have become the destination for large groups of people, mainly low-income families, and unskilled workers, from the interior of the country. They cross the Colombian border daily to earn Pesos (Colombian currency) and many of them, including teenagers and children, are involved in smuggling activities. The continuous arrival of these displaced people has overstretched local basic services and collapsed accommodation facilities, causing a deterioration of security, health and hygiene conditions in border cities and villages. The humanitarian coordination architecture in Venezuela was established after an assessment of humanitarian needs undertaken in March 2019 estimated that 7 million Venezuelans needed urgent humanitarian assistance, with 2.7 million needing protection.

Under the direct supervision of Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

•Assist in the preparation, data collection and review of shelter needs assessments and mapping in institutions and communities in Santa Elena de Uairen, while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, administration, and supply. •Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC). •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. •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. •Provide technical assistance in the field of shelter, construction, and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC. •Work with the government, relevant authorities, and counterparts to ensure strong coordination of shelter and infrastructure projects within the AoR. •Actively work 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.

Results/Expected Outputs:

•Shelter, Infrastructure and Site Planning activities implemented, respect UNHCR and National standards and specifications, specifically for works in institutions and communities in Santa Elena de Uairen. •Shelter/Infrastructure activities supported to ensure that objectives as defined within UNHCR Sub agreements are met within the year with specific emphasis on increased beneficiary targeting and participation. •Shelter/Infrastructure activities supervised, monitored and reported in a regular and consistent manner to the Sub-Office.
•Field activities and Field staff supported by increased presence of the technical unit by regular field visits in the communities with activities closely monitored and supervised. •Technical drawings, designs, Bills of Quantities and Specifications produced by the Technical 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 implementation of technical activities for the beneficiaries by also identifying areas of capacity building that can be supported by UNHCR.
•The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Accountability Client Orientation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Planning and Organizing Technological Awareness Working in Teams

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.

BENEFITS:

• A standardized lump sum entry fee at the start of the assignment of USD 400 to cover installation expenses on assignment.
• A monthly allowance of USD 1299.58 to cover normal living expenses during your assignment. This allowance is not considered a salary.
• 2.5 vacation days per month.
• Medical insurance (with coverage for 1 month after the end of the assignment). Includes dental insurance for UNV and spouse and up to 2 dependents under 21 years of age and life, disability, and dismemberment insurance.
• Exit allowance, upon satisfactory completion of service and respect of notice periods (in case of resignation), to relocate to another job, either within or outside the UN.
• Training and learning opportunities during assignment.

Other clarifications:

The humanitarian coordination architecture in Venezuela was established after an assessment of humanitarian needs undertaken in March 2019 estimated that 7 million Venezuelans needed urgent humanitarian assistance, with 2.7 million needing protection. In 2019, the Humanitarian Response Plan was published with the aim of coordinating and expanding the humanitarian response underway in the country. The Humanitarian Response Plan has three strategic objectives:

•Ensure the survival and well-being of the most vulnerable people, improving their access to essential goods and services in quantity, quality, continuity, and territorial coverage with a rights-based approach. •Promote and strengthen the protection and dignity of the most vulnerable groups through a humanitarian response that strengthens institutional and community mechanisms, in abidance with humanitarian principles and the respect for human rights. •Strengthen the resilience and livelihoods of the most vulnerable people by age, gender and diversity and contribute to the sustainability of essential services.

UNHCR leads both the Protection and Shelter, NFI and Energy Clusters. In 2021, UNHCR will further expand its capacity to effectively lead these clusters and will expand its field presence to also cover the states of Amazonas, Delta Amacuro, Lara, and Falcón, establish field units in San Antonio (Táchira) and Santa Elena de Uairén (Bolivar), and focus on enhancing partners’ capacity to provide a more efficient and timely delivery of protection and assistance to affected populations. UNHCR will ensure proper coordination, monitoring and support. UNHCR will organize frequent meetings with partners as well as meetings of the Protection and Shelter/NFI/Energy clusters.