Assistant Shelter Officer

Grade

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

C

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2024-09-01

2024-12-31

August 26, 2024

Standard Job Description

Assistant Shelter Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Shelter Officer contributes to the preparation of 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 oversee the day to-day operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to ensure that works proceed as designed and comply with established standards and procedures for the full project cycle. In a first instance, the incumbent ensures that the Operation is supported in carrying out shelter and infrastructure needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns.
Close and regular contact is also maintained with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, and shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The incumbent will also participate in discussions relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision. The Assistant Shelter Officer normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague or Technical Coordinator and maintains a strong collaboration with the Shelter and Settlements Section in HQ.
The incumbent contributes to ensuring that shelter & infrastructure responses within the AoR evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from sustainable local building practices and materials.
Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent include shelter and general infrastructure planning, design and construction monitoring including remote monitoring, therefore the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture or a related discipline.
Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis of residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should at all times minimize the risk of harm, eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions. Special attention must be given to the environment and low carbon approaches, attention to material selection through sustainable means to ensure a green approach to shelter delivery.

All UNHCR staff members 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 UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members 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.

Duties
Technical Guidance
– Assist in developing and periodically updating a suitable shelter approach within the AoR, taking into consideration area-based approaches, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure.
– Participate in comprehensive sectoral needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply. Engage with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the beneficiary selection process prioritises the shelter needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (POC) are addressed.
– Contribute to shelter strategies and periodically review them to reflect evolving situations and ensure alignment with national and global level policies and guidelines including: Global Compact on Refugees, Sustainable Development Goals, Relevant Global Strategies and Policies.
– Oversee all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
– Review, identify and monitor shelter programmes within the AoR and initiate responses to address the gaps in collaboration and coordination with key UNHCR technical staff, operational partners and authorities as required.
– When planning shelter solutions, work closely with other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation, infrastructure for reception, education and health so that implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
– Work with established clear guidance and detailed standards for coordinated shelter assessments, specific to the operational context in line with emergency standards and long-term durable shelter solutions.
– Monitor and follow up the design and construction of infrastructure and other facilities (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.
– Support implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with global, national and operational strategies and guidance.
– Work with appropriate internationally accepted shelter standards, best practice and guidelines and disseminate this information among partners within the AoR to meet quality and oversight expectations.

Coordination
– Support the supervisor in ensuring that UNHCR’s operation is technically sound in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of POC.
– Participate in coordination and management of UNHCR’s shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner providing adequate delivery of technical interventions and services to support operational needs. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
– Where activated, provide support to a close and operational leading role in the Shelter Cluster so that UNHCR’s operational footprint is aligned with the agency goals. In refugee operations, take on the role of the coordination of shelter and settlement activities in line with the Refugee Coordination Model within the AoR.
– Participate, as technical focal point for shelter/infrastructure, in coordination meetings with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to ensure UNHCR’s interests and those of the POCs are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely, efficient manner.
– Coordinate with partners to assess, analyse and map available information on shelter options in the AoR considering relevant policies, guidelines and plans adopted by the Government.

Collaboration
– Support Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects. Provide technical inputs and advise Programme colleagues during Implementing Partner Selection of shelter sector partners.
– Actively work with Programme as a member of the Multi-Functional Team in the Operation and regularly participate in multi-sectoral activities to ensure protection and assistance needs of the population are met.
– Support Supply team on matters related to the procurement of construction, infrastructure and other sector related works and services. Draft complete sets of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
– Carry out technical evaluation of the received bids as well as review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion.
– Work in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including local authorities, implementing and operational partners and affected communities on issues related to the shelter and settlement programme, while ensuring full participation of them in all work in order to achieve optimum levels of adequacy in the shelter response, for enhancement of skills development and income generating opportunities.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Architecture; Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering;
Construction Management; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Hands-on technical support including experience in assistance delivery in emergencies and relief operations. Knowledge of SPHERE standards and ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS receivers and computer equipment. Knowledge of AutoCAD and other tools forming a part of the UNHCR settlement planning toolkit

Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR system and operating modality. Understanding of the humanitarian architecture.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks, Civil 3D)
SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination
*SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

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.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Operational Context:

Following the two earthquakes that struck southeast Türkiye on 6 February 2023, humanitarian actors have supported the Government of Türkiye’s efforts in providing emergency assistance. As of the end of the Flash Appeal in May 2023, targeted assistance for critical humanitarian needs has been provided to 5.4 million people. This assistance complemented the Government’s efforts to provide a wide range of social protection packages for affected families, farm owners and businesses, establish temporary shelter solutions while also beginning the reconstruction of homes.
With more than 9 million people affected, including 1.6M Syrian and other refugees, and approximately 3.6 million people left without homes to safely reside in, a significant amount of time will be required to rebuild, restore markets and support families to find sustainable solutions, particularly in the four most affected provinces.
In May 2024, while some individuals have started receiving new earthquake houses, over 435,182 people remain in container sites, according to AFAD’s reports. This increase is likely due to a reduction in the number of people in informal sites on a much faster pace since October 2023. As of March 2024, DTM’s latest assessment indicates that 212,480 people are staying in informal sites across six provinces. Among those in informal sites, it is estimated that 40,000 individuals are still living in tents or makeshift shelters.
As part of the sectors work to develop a common strategic program priorities for households in precarious and temporary shelters, the Shelter Sector released a Summer Seasonal Support Recommendation document in May 2024. The Shelter Sector collaborated closely with partners to identify the necessary non-food items (NFIs) and upgrade containers to withstand the summer heat. As per DTM’s neighborhood assessment in March 2024, number of containers both AFAD and foldable containers in informal sites has been increased by 41% and 50% respectively since October 2023. This brings new challenges to partners targeting people in informal sites, additionally there has been an increase in number of informal sites in Gaziantep, a province that previously had 23% less informal sites, which requires more attention from the sector and its partner.
Despite the drop in numbers of tents and makeshift shelters it is estimated that 40,000 individuals are residing in tents across 6 provinces, over 20% of those are non-nationals estimated at over 11,000 individuals. According to DTMs March assessment, there is an increase in people not using their damaged houses for their daily needs as previously witnessed. This might be related to the decreased population living in informal sites as well as the demolition of damaged buildings. Thus, there is a need to ramp up the support to households in repairing their low-damaged dwellings.
Overall, the situation remains highly fluid. Efforts to consolidate sites and expand container sites have led to a series of relocations and movements. Returns have been observed by some households that departed the affected areas after the earthquake. A significant majority of people who are from medium, heavily or totally damaged homes have opted not to seek container support and instead have applied for rental support. While there is a range of continuous needs, many priority needs are highly context dependent. Shelter remains a top priority in the short and long term, while other priorities include but are not limited to the provision of public services, such as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), cash and livelihood support.
UNHCR is the protection lead of the earthquake response and chairs the Protection Sector. Also, as part of the earthquake response, UNHCR is leading the Shelter and NFI Sector. The incumbent will be based in Gaziantep, at the UNHCR Sub-Office (SO) for southeast Turkiye. S/he will be part of a Shelter Coordination Unit (SCU) functionally attached to SO’s Inter-Agency Coordination Unit (IACU) and under the direct management of the Snr shelter Coordinator. The SCU consists of a Senior Shelter Coordinator (P4), the incumbent, and an Assistant Information Management Officer (NOA). The incumbent will be line managed by the Senior Shelter Coordinator.

Desired Candidate Profile:

In light of the operational context, the objective of this position is to ensure that, through technical inputs, advice and guidance, shelter activities meet technical specifications, quality standards and that the progress is according to the workplan. In addition to strong technical skills and strategic operational approach corresponding to this objective, the incumbent is expected to have a broader coordination background in humanitarian contexts, including natural disaster, as well as and coordination experience in shelter, preferably with UNHCR or another international organization, including with authorities, shelter partners, such as international and national or local NGOs. S/he should be a strong team-worker able to reflect strategically and engage in constructive debate, take onboard different views, reach consensus and convince others.

Competencies: Technological awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Political awareness, Organizational awareness, Judgement & decision making, Empowering & building trust, Communication, Commitment to continuous learning, Client & results orientation, Analytical thinking, Accountability

Living and Working Conditions:

On 6 February, two major earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.5 magnitude in Kahramanmaraş Province impacted eleven provinces in Türkiye’s southeast region and neighbouring Syria. The infrastructure and utilities in Gaziantep are largely preserved, and the city continues to benefit from efficient public transport system and smooth delivery of gas, water and electricity. Gaziantep is a regional industrial and trade hub, with thousands of businesses that have continued operating after the earthquake.
Gaziantep has a good network of health facilities, including both public and private hospitals, some of which offer more sophisticated services. Housing in Gaziantep is widely available, but due to economic downfall in most of 2022 and following the earthquake, rental prices have significantly increased.
Gaziantep also has a well-developed network of schools and is home to one of the largest universities in Turkiye. There are several private universities as well. However, education with international curricula is very limited and it may be challenging for families with younger children in need of adequate educational facilities in foreign language. English is not widely spoken, which may be challenging at times. However, people in Gaziantep are hospitable.
Current operational circumstances may require long working hours due to ongoing emergency mode.

Proximity to the Syrian border has led to a sensitive security in South-eastern Turkey since the Syrian conflict began. However, the level of general criminality is low. During the recent period the security situation in Southeast Turkey has been largely stable, with isolated incidents of deteriorated situation due to evolving security situation along the border with Syria. Following an increased engagement in the Syrian conflict by the Turkish Government the number of incidents targeting Turkish security forces has somewhat increased, but number of cross border incidents is rather limited in scale and frequency of occurrence.
The current security levels in Southeast Turkiye is Level 2, with some parts of the AOR (10 Km distance from the border area, plus Reyhanli and Mardin in the east) at Level 4. There are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area but vigilance and awareness is required in the changing security environment. Due to the relatively recent developments at the border areas, the UN staff in Gaziantep are advised to increase their precaution measures in general. Area Security plans and Security levels are being updated.
Gaziantep is a base for three UNHCR separate facilities- the SO Gaziantep (refugee operations), Resettlement Hub inaugurated in Dec 2022, and the Cross Border Operation that is engaged in the humanitarian interventions in Northwest Syria. SO Gaziantep provides support to Resettlement and Cross Border Operations through Admin and logistics functions, with occasional expansion to other types of support from various units in the office.

Contract duration for this position is initially until 31/12/2024. Extension beyond this period is subject to funding confirmation.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearance.
A break of minimum 31 days is required before a staff member who currently holds a Fixed Term or Indefinite Appointment may be rehired on a Temporary Appointment.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
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.
External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.
Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a completed university degree.
For further information on how to apply, please visit ‘UNHCR – Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html

This position requires Functional Clearance

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Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning, SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks, Civil 3D), SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Architecture, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Construction Management

Certifications

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales