Assistant Shelter and WASH Officer – UNHCR
Job Description
| Organization | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
| Job Title | Assistant Shelter and WASH Officer – UNOPS – LICA 8 |
| Location | Damazine, Sudan |
| Hardship Level | D |
| Job ID | 39337 |
| Salary Grade | |
| Family Location Type | Non-Family |
| Closing Date | 21 August 2022 |
Eligible Applicants
This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants.
Duties and Qualifications
The political context in Sudan remains complex, diverse, and fast-changing. The operations in Sudan includes emergency response, regular refugee programmes, IDP support (emergency, durable solutions), voluntary repatriation, statelessness, and special projects, for example peacebuilding support funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. UNHCR Representation in Sudan has presence in Khartoum, Kassala, Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile, five main regions including Darfur, Kordofan, East Sudan, White Nile, Blue Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, West Kordofan, North Drafur, East Drafur, South Darfur, Central Darfur and West Darfur. The Representation Office in Khartoum provides the overall strategic guidance and implementation of the operations, security, policies, and liaison with key Government stakeholders, donor communities, UNITAMS, UNCT/HCT and NGO partners. There are over 1.1 million refugees and over 3 million IDPs in Sudan.
The position is based in Damazine, Blue Nile state. There are over 13,000 Ethiopian refugees, 81,000 IDPs, 9,700 IDP returnees and 13,000 refugee returnees in the Blue Nile state. There is one refugee camp namely Village 6 which host over 7,300 refugees. UNHCR co-leads the refugee response coordination with COR and leads the Protection and Shelter/NFI sectors at national and sub-national levels.
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, the incumbent will provide technical, operational and coordination support mainly in below mentioned areas. The incumbent will not have supervisory role. The incumbent will work closely with the National Shelter/NFI cluster coordinator on Shelter/NFI coordination issues.
1) Assessment of shelter, infrastructure and WASH needs,
2) Development of site plan, estimate and drawings,
3) Monitoring of construction works and quality assurance,
4) Preparation of updates and reports and
5) Coordinate with partners on Shelter/NFI and WASH and act as a focal point for Shelter/NFI sector
2.2 FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT. Describe the accountabilities, responsibilities and authorities associated with the position.
Accountability (key results that will be achieved)
¿ Needs assessment in terms of site selection, shelter, infrastructure and WASH is conducted in participatory way and report is shared.
¿ Application of agreed standard to all construction works is achieved.
¿ All construction works meet minimum agreed standard and completed in timely and cost-efficient manner.
¿ Shelter/NFI coordination is established and is functional.
¿ All achievements are documented.
Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, the Assistant Shelter and WASH Officer will undertake following tasks:
¿ Assist in carrying out a joint assessment of the camp site, collective centres and transit sites in priority locations identified by the government. Provide a technical evaluation of the site location suitability, capacity, the physical condition and an estimated scope of works required.
¿ Develop site plan, cost-estimate, specifications and drawing of shelter and infrastructure related works adhering to agreed standard and practices.
¿ Assess WASH needs of the persons of concern in coordination with the Government and partners and prepare design, drawing and bills of quantities of related works adhering to agreed standard and practices.
¿ Support supply in the market analysis of locally available construction materials and skills, promoting the use of local capacity as appropriate.
¿ Monitor the construction works implemented by partners/contractors and ensure the construction works are in accordance with priced BoQ, specification and drawings and meet minimum standards.
¿ Regularly report/document work progress of various activities and contribute to the preparation of various reports.
¿ Contribute to the formulation/update of various documents including strategy, guidelines and SoPs.
¿ Support the UNHCR field-office on technical issues related to shelter, site planning, infrastructure and WASH through field visits and discussion with the technical staffs in the field.
¿ Assist in coordination with the Shelter cluster/sector partners through information exchange, meeting, capacity building, needs assessment and gap analysis.
¿ Work in close coordination with other units in order to ensure operational objectives are met.
¿ Perform other duties as required.
2.3 REQUIRED COMPETENCIES, which illustrate behaviours that are essential to achieving deliverables described above, and that are critical to successful performance. All jobs require the staff to abide to the Values and Core competencies of UNHCR. Where applicable, select a maximum of six Managerial and three Cross-Functional Competencies. (Note that the Performance Appraisal and Management System (PAMS) allows for up to five Cross-Functional Competencies to be selected by the staff member and the supervisor.
Cross-Functional Competencies
- Analytical Thinking
- Innovation and Creativity
- Technological Awareness
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Planning and Organizing
- Policy Development and Research
- Political Awareness
- Stakeholder Management
- Change Capability and Adaptability
2.4 ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Define the educational background, the relevant job experience and the language(s) that are essential to perform the work of the position.
¿ University Degree in architecture, civil/structural engineering or other related field.
¿ At least 3 years relevant work experience in the related field, including collaboration with different international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, Red Cross Movement, INGOs, IOs or Donors), or private sector.
¿ Experience in assessment, developing site plan, construction supervision and coordination.
¿ Experience of site construction management (including supervision, monitoring, quality control)
¿ Good knowledge of site surveying and experience in undertaking related topography assessments/ feasibility studies.
¿ Excellent working knowledge of Arabic and English (written and oral) is essential.
¿ Capacity to work with multi sectorial teams to ensure that relevant issues related to the shelter and settlements are taken into consideration.
¿ Cultural sensitivity to the specific needs of the persons of concern.
¿ Computer literacy in MS Office and AutoCAD.
2.5 DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES. Describe any experience or knowledge that would be an asset, such as: UNHCR Learning Programmes, other training, additional languages, Field/HQs experience, etc.
¿ Knowledge of UNHCR standards and criteria for site selection, as well as issues related to protection, WASH, environment, land property issues etc. will be an asset.
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.
Duration of Appointment
This contract is valid through 31 December 2022, subject to renewal in line with budget approval and availability.
Closing Date
The closing date for this UNOPS job opening is 21 August 2022.
