Shelter Associate
Organizational Context
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. In Syria, UNHCR works to provide essential assistance and protection to those affected by the ongoing crisis, ensuring their safety and dignity.
Job Purpose
The Shelter Associate plays a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's shelter and infrastructure initiatives within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). This position involves conducting comprehensive needs assessments in collaboration with various sectors like protection, health, and WASH, to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on displaced populations and host communities. The Associate will assist in the daily management of construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring they adhere to established standards and procedures throughout the project lifecycle. A key aspect of the role is to contribute to the evolution of shelter responses, moving towards more durable solutions that incorporate sustainable local building practices and materials, while considering urban planning strategies and minimizing risks to beneficiaries. The incumbent will provide technical assistance in planning, design, and construction monitoring, ensuring that shelter solutions are safe, appropriate, and environmentally conscious.
Responsibilities
The Shelter Associate is responsible for assisting in comprehensive sectoral needs assessments, liaising with protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration, and supply sectors. They will work with stakeholders to prioritize vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC) in the shelter beneficiary selection process. The incumbent will support the supervisor in developing and updating shelter strategies, ensuring alignment with global policies like the Global Compact on Refugees and Sustainable Development Goals. A core duty is to provide support in the daily management of construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with UNHCR and national standards for the entire project cycle. This includes following up on the design and construction of infrastructure such as schools and health centers, ensuring they are technically sound, approved by authorities, and completed within timelines and budgets. The Associate will coordinate closely with WASH, education, and health sectors for synchronized implementation and assist implementing partners with technical shelter and settlement issues. They will provide technical support in the field of shelter, construction, and infrastructure development, assisting in the coordination and management of UNHCR's interventions in a timely and cost-effective manner. Collaboration with government and counterparts is essential for strong partnerships. The role involves participating in coordination meetings as the technical focal point for shelter/infrastructure, ensuring UNHCR's and PoC's interests are represented. Additionally, the Associate will assist Programme in reviewing technical components of Project Partnership Agreements, provide support in preparing bid documents, and assist in the technical evaluation of bids and quality inspection of works. Risk management and opportunity identification within the area of responsibility are also key duties.
Work Experience
Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent or higher. Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis is essential.
Skills
Shelter needs assessments Infrastructure project management Coordination with stakeholders Technical guidance on shelter and construction SPHERE standards knowledge Basic survey equipment usage Digital camera usage Computer equipment usage Gap analysis for shelter programs Risk management AutoCAD Mapping software