UNOPS Senior Shelter Assistant

Organizational Context

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is responsible for providing protection and sustainable solutions to refugees worldwide. This role supports UNHCR's mission by assisting in comprehensive sectoral needs assessments and managing shelter and infrastructure projects to improve the living conditions of displaced populations and host communities.

Job Purpose

The Senior Shelter Assistant supports UNHCR's shelter and infrastructure initiatives by contributing to needs assessments, managing construction projects, and ensuring responses align with evolving situations and sustainable local practices. The role involves providing technical guidance on shelter and infrastructure development, coordinating with government and counterparts, and collaborating within a Multi-Functional Team to meet the protection and assistance needs of Persons of Concern (PoC). This includes ensuring projects are technically sound, adhere to standards, and are completed within timelines and budgets, while also considering urban planning, environmental impact, and minimizing risks of harm and exploitation.

Responsibilities

The Senior Shelter Assistant assists in conducting comprehensive sectoral needs assessments, gathering quantitative and qualitative data on displaced populations and host communities, in coordination with protection, programme, community services, public health, WASH, administration, and supply sectors. The incumbent supports the daily operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects, ensuring shelter and infrastructure responses adapt to changing circumstances and move towards durable solutions using sustainable local practices. Technical assistance is provided for infrastructure and construction implementation and monitoring. In urban settings, shelter responses must consider urban planning strategies, housing affordability, and availability. Across all contexts, shelter assistance must minimize risks of harm, eviction, exploitation, abuse, overcrowding, and unhygienic conditions, with a focus on environmental sustainability and low-carbon approaches. The role involves assisting in the preparation of bid documents, including technical specifications and BoQs, and participating in the technical evaluation of bids and quality inspection of works. Coordination with government, authorities, and counterparts is crucial for shelter and infrastructure projects. Collaboration within the Multi-Functional Team ensures synchronized shelter and infrastructure implementation with WASH, education, and health sectors. Risk management and opportunity identification are also key functions.

Work Experience

2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Experience includes collaboration with international organizations and good technical knowledge of construction standards and UNHCR shelter typologies.

Skills

Shelter needs assessments Data collection and review Beneficiary selection Construction project management Infrastructure development Technical guidance Coordination with authorities Bid document preparation Technical bid evaluation Risk management AutoCAD Topographic surveying

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