General Background

(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

The incumbent will work under direct supervision of the Associate Program Officer (NOB) and overall guidance of the Program Officer in Jigjiga, Somali region with regular technical support from and consultation with the Project coordinator/Project manager construction at country and regional level. S/he will be involved in needs assessments, ensure implementation, monitoring, close follow-up, supervision and coordination of all activities related to shelter construction through CBI modalities within the Aw Barre, Shedder and Kebribeyah refugee camps, construction and/or rehabilitation of UNHCR Office & Guest house facilities, construction and/or rehabilitation of some public infrastructure ¿ as a capacity development to SRS line bureaus and public infrastructure in Dire Dawa for an improved support to IDPs.

The incumbent will ensure internal contacts and will closely coordinate with site shelter planners, CRRF, Community-based Protection, UNHCR Field colleagues in the three refugee camps managed by Jijiga, Field colleagues based in Dire Dawa.

The position requires close collaboration with line bureaus and contractors and frequent sharing of information with all relevant parties. The incumbent of the position will keep regular contact with refugees and host community ¿ especially during the selection process of shelter beneficiaries, while monitoring some CBI shelter construction/renovation works daily, while renovating some public infrastructure and while constructing/renovation some facilities within the IDP camps/sites.

S/he will closely work with staff from ARRA, Operational and Implementing Partners¿ Organizations, private sector, local leaders and all other relevant stakeholders, to discuss and share information on issues related to construction/renovation of shelters within refugee camps and the surrounding communities.

UNHCR Manual & technical guidelines, Program objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent of the position. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges in the region posed by the political context; conflict; seasonal environmental hazard including drought, floods, disease outbreaks; the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

• (Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)
• Infrastructure Strategy, Planning and Programme Support
• Ensure regular and effective coordination with all stakeholders and contractors involved in construction and/or renovation works of various facilities.
• Jointly with the technical staff of the Partners, update detailed needs and resource assessments and revise designs of technical plans as necessary, taking into account practical aspects of implementation and relevant technical specifications and guidelines.
• Actively participate in the selection process of beneficiaries of shelters and other facilities to be constructed and/or renovated
• Ensure data collection is carried out properly and timely with quality information.
• Along with the Protection team, ensure persons of concern are not subject to sexual exploitation or abuse, before being selected among planned beneficiaries
• Participate and represent UNHCR in meetings, forums and workshops discussing matters related to construction/renovation of infrastructure, improved shelters, ¿
• Participate in any virtual meeting debating on construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure/shelters
• Review proposals related to construction and/or rehabilitation of infrastructure and shelters
• Elaborate Bill of Quantities (BOQs) and propose estimated costs for infrastructure and shelters
• Contribute to the budgeting and planning process and financial management of the programme in the area of infrastructure and shelters.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

• Provide technical guidance and support to Partners on all construction/rehabilitation related matters, in accordance with UNHCR policies, standards and priorities.
• Share, seek and offer advice as a contribution to problem identification/solving where needs arise (technical, operational, conflict resolution, negotiation etc.).
• Constantly observe and analyse potential problems and risks and contribute to their mitigation (e.g. from natural hazards, social tensions, capacity issues, mismanagement etc).

Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

• Closely and proactively monitor all aspects related to infrastructure and/or shelters (studies, construction, trainings, communications, materials, work sites etc.) and to flag deviations from schedules, specifications and planning.
• Ensure all beneficiaries of Shelters through CBI modalities have received cash and it serves for the intended purposes.
• Ensure that mechanisms to monitor progress of construction/rehabilitation works in the refugee camps / host community in the vicinity are in place.
• Regularly follow up project implementation activities ¿ including earmarked ones, to help ensure quality control, transparency, accountability and smooth reporting
• Ensure complaint mechanisms put in place, for beneficiaries who didn¿t receive their cash or who are not satisfied by the system put in place by all the parties playing an active role in the CBI modalities.

Reporting, communication and documentation

• Regularly report on construction/renovation works.
• Maintain effective and transparent communication channels on all construction and rehabilitation aspects with all relevant groups.
• Contribute to accurate and timely reporting of donor earmarked projects.
• Ensure documentation is maintained and shared (messages, reports, analysis, correspondence, minutes etc).
• Share lessons throughout the project implementation.

Authority

• Provide inputs for the Needs-based and the resource-based assessment to facilitate preparation/finalization of the Multi-year Plans, as well as prepare inputs for funding submissions, appeals and repots
• Ensure compliance with UNHCR¿s global strategies, protocols and guidelines in line with constructions

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• (Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
• UNHCR¿s policies, standards and procedures relating to construction/renovation of infrastructure/shelters are appropriately and coherently applied in the area of responsibility.
• Implementation of infrastructure & shelters construction/renovation works in targeted locations clearly documented, reported and shared.

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.

Job ID:   28761

Eligible Applicants: This position is advertised open to internal and external applicants.

Additional  Information

• Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
• An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be concluded which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Education & Professional Work Experience

• For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Desirables

• Holding a bachelors degree in Technical drawings subject is desired.
• Progressive work experience dealing with large-scale refugee/IDPs construction/rehabilitation works is desired.

Key Competencies

• (Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment.  Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
• Demonstrated context knowledge of Technical drawings sector with experience working with other stakeholders in the Somali region or across Ethiopia.
• Proven expertise in the area of Construction or Technical drawings ¿ including surveys, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, coordination and reporting.
• Experience working with refugees, internally displaced, and hosting communities is desired.
• Experience with risk assessment and management is desired.
• Knowledge and understanding of UNHCR/UN administrative and financial rules and regulations (Desired).
• Experience with engineering project implementation ¿ including procurement and coordination (Required).
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results by constant monitoring and adapting project cycle to ongoing lessons learned (Required).
• Cultural and political sensitivity, and ability to communicate clearly to all audiences (Required).

Budgeting skills (desired).

• Proficiency in computer software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Design Drawings (Required).
• Understanding of risk-based monitoring and evaluation, multi-criteria analysis and project implementation, analysis and control (Required).
• Sound knowledge of construction works/Technical drawings and its impact on cross-cutting areas (Required).
• Experience in conducting trainings on Construction/Design drawings (required).
• Knowledge of English (written / oral / comprehension) is Required.
• Knowledge of the local language is desired and an asset.

Position Competencies

• Competencies as defined in Job Profile