Shelter Associate

Overview

Join UNHCR in Odesa to oversee emergency shelter activities and coordinate with local authorities.

You have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil engineering, Architecture or Construction Engineering (or other related field) is required.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
• Good technical knowledge about construction in Ukraine linked with understanding of Ukrainian Construction legislation.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proactive and flexible approach to problem-solving.
• Capable to use MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook etc.) with strong confidence in Excel.
• Capacity to deal with multi-task environment and efficiently contribute to the multi-national team’s work.
• Knowledge of English and Ukrainian languages is required.
• Knowledge and previous experience in the humanitarian sector is highly desirable.

Deadline for Applications

June 2, 2026Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

DFamily Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential LocationStaff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA6Target Start Date

2026-07-01Terms of Reference

The position is located within the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Field Office Odesa and reports to the Senior Shelter Associate.

Nature of Position: The Field Office in Odesa covers the Odeska, Mykholaivska and Khersonska oblasts and undertakes the full array of UNHCR’s Emergency Shelter and Housing activities including emergency shelter repairs, repair of war damaged houses, IDP house repair and the renovation of social infrastructure. The successful candidate will be joining an established team of engineers and architects who oversee the programme activities. UNHCR uses a mix of direct Implementation and implementation through national Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Key to the role is close monitoring of all emergency and winter related activities using direct implementation (DI), working closely with implementing partner(s) and/or with authorities. Forming a close working relationship with all stakeholders – including the local authorities – both at regional level and municipal / hromada level is of paramount importance.

Although a sound technical understanding of the construction process, project management, practices, codes and standards is essential, the role will not require the completion of detailed designs or calculations. Rather the incumbent will be responsible for the correct, safe and accurate implementation of the agreed activities under the emergency and winter response.

Based in Odesa, regular travel within the oblasts of Khersonska, Mykholaivska is essential including over-night stays in remote locations (Mykholaiv city).

Duties and Responsibilities: • Coordination with the government and local authorities for identification and assessment of construction projects in line with UNHCR’s strategic objectives and its Standard Operation Procedures (SOP); • Estimation of project costs for the repair and rehabilitation of identified objects; • Coordinating with contractors, design service providers and housing teams, implementing partners and stakeholders; • Monitoring and reporting on activities and outputs of contractors, design service providers and housing teams, implementing partners and stakeholders; • Assisting with the procurement of services – providing inputs to the design service providers/engineers and architects for design solutions, coordinating with Supply Unit for elaboration of Terms of Reference (ToR) and Bills of Quantity (BoQ), performing bid analysis and technical evaluation of the bids towards to assure transparent and fair tendering process; • Supervision of construction/renovation works, evaluation/inspection of works stage progress; • Review and approval of technical documentation; • Review of prepared design: structural analysis, drawings, specifications, scope of work, work schedule, bill of quantities, cost estimates and any other required technical documents; • Supervise design service providers to ensure that design and works are executed in effective and efficient manner by complying with all technical requirements of UNHCR and government authorities; • Monitor contractor’s compliance with the technical requirements of the contract by reviewing deliverables and recommending to the Programme Coordinator appropriate corrective actions, when necessary; • Write regular reports as required, by collecting, analysing and summarising information on various aspects of the project including financial, technical and schedule compliance, as well as compiling timely and accurate reports. • Participate as a member of duty travel teams relating to project implementation, as required. • Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience Required: • Bachelor’s degree in Civil engineering, Architecture or Construction Engineering (or other related field) is required. • Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Desired Candidate Profile The ideal candidate should demonstrate: • Good technical knowledge about construction in Ukraine linked with understanding of Ukrainian Construction legislation; • Excellent communication skills, with a proactive and flexible approach to problem-solving; • Capable to use MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook etc.) with strong confidence in Excel; • Capacity to deal with multi-task environment and efficiently contribute to the multi-national team’s work. • Knowledge of English and Ukrainian languages is required. • Knowledge and previous experience in the humanitarian sector is highly desirable

Conditions: The appointment is for an initial period of six (6) months and is a full-time position with official working hours from Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

Application Process:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to complete a written test. A mandatory competency-based interview for all shortlisted candidates will be conducted as part of the selection process.Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Ukrainian,

,

Desired Languages

English,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote

No

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 month ago - Updated 18 days ago - Source: unhcr.org