VACANCY NOTICE 

Title of Position:  Senior Shelter Associate
Job Opening (JO):  33127
Type of Contract: UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement
Category & Level: LICA-7
Location: Sana’a, Yemen
Effective date: As soon as possible
Duration: Until 31 December 2022
Renewal is subject to satisfactory performance and budget availability
Closing Date: 31 January 2022

Operational Context
Entering the seventh year of conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is considered one of the worst in the world with 80% of the population in need of assistance. UNHCR’s interventions focus on more than 4 million internally displaced and an estimated 135,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Humanitarian access is severely constrained by administrative hurdles and ongoing fighting with rapidly shifting frontlines. UNHCR has a strong operational footprint in particular in relation to protection/protection of civilians, (emergency) shelter and NFIs and IDPs sites management (CCCM) both as UNHCR and as Tri-Cluster lead with one of the largest cash programme of UNHCR globally. UNHCR operations are managed by the Country Office in Sanaa, with three field offices in Hodeidah, Saada and Ibb, as well as in the South of Yemen through the Sub-Office Aden and a field presence in Marib.

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Shelter Associate is attached to the Shelter Cluster unit and acts as technical coordinator focusing on technical standards, advises, review of shelter design, kit composition, site planning and other civil engineering duties related to the shelter cluster. In constant contact with the technical counterpart of Shelter Cluster partners, he/she collect and analyse all necessary technical documentation including shelter designs, site plans, specifications and bills of quantity. To produce technical recommendation the Senior Shelter Associate will draft and design technical details including if necessary, the preparation of field tests and pilot shelter models with proper documentation. To ensure clarity on technical guidance documents the incumbent will maintain proper monitoring of material specifications and cost and prepare quality documentation using Shelter templates.

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 provide support in 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. 

Close and regular contact is maintained with technical and non-technical staff of shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. 

The incumbent assists the supervisor in 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. S/he provides technical support in general infrastructure planning, shelter & infrastructure design and construction monitoring.

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.

Technical Guidance

• Collect and analyse shelter cluster partners practices including plans, drawings, technical documentation and BoQ. 
• Moderate and conduct regular Technical working Group (TWiG) meetings related to Shelter and non- food Items kit composition.
• Collect, review and analysis materials in use by Shelter Cluster partners including preparation of field quality tests in line with national and international standards.
• Participate inmaterials inspection for cluster partners including the production  of technical reports.
• Draft and develop documents summarizing technical standards and their consideration related to shelter, NFI, site planning and basic infrastructures. 
• Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC).
• Assist the supervisor in developing and updating shelter strategies 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.
• Provide support in the daily management of all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance to established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
• Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH, CCCM, education and health so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronised and coordinated. 
• Assist implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with national and global standards, national and operational strategies, and guidance.

Coordination 

• Provide technical support in the field of shelter, construction, and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.
• Assist in coordination and management of UNHCR’s shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership. 
• Participate, as technical focal point within the AoR 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.

Collaboration

• Draft bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc. if requested by partners
• Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion, if requested by partners
• Support delivery of shelter exhibits and shelter response prototyping including reporting and delivery of best practice guidance material.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Education & Professional Work Experience:

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education:

• Architect, Engineering, or strong construction competencies.

Certificates and/or Licenses:

Civil Engineering;  Architecture    

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Versatile in use of word processing and spreadsheet applications ability to prepare schedules / bills of quantities and estimating cost. Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programs.

Desirable

• Knowledge of computer graphics, AutoCAD and mapping software as well as the capacity to use mapping tools (GPS), and digital photographic equipment, and related software (map info etc.).

Functional Skills:

• IT-MS Office Applications
• IT-AutoCAD (Computer Assisted Design Software)
• SP-CAD/CAM Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing
• MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
• SP-Sphere Handbook
• SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination
• UN-Knowledge of UN/UNHCR terminology

Language Requirements

• Please also note that English and Arabic are essential for this Job Opening.

Additional Information

Candidates may be required to sit for a written aptitude test. Only pre-selected candidates will be notified. Only online applications are accepted (applications sent by email will not be accepted). No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

If you have questions during the on-line application, please contact HR Team well before the deadline: at yemadhr@unhcr.org (Aden) and yemsahr@unhcr.org (Sana'a).

This is only part of the Vacancy Notice. For more information about this Job Opening, eligibility criteria and procedures please follow this link (or go to www.unhcr.org /Careers/ Vacancies). Please follow the below instructions on applications for External Applicants.