The political context in Sudan remains complex, diverse, and fast-changing. UNHCR operation in Sudan includes an emergency response to internal displacement and cross border movement driven by the multitude of conflict-related, ecological and economic factors, as well as regular programmes targeting refugees and IDPs in protracted displacement, but also programmes related to return and voluntary repatriation, statelessness as well as special projects contributing to overall peacebuilding efforts such as the ones funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. UNHCR maintains presence in 16 different offices across 13 states – Darfurs, Kordofans, Khartoum, Blue and White Nile, Gedaref and Kassala. The Representation Office in Khartoum provides the overall strategic guidance and management of operations as well as liaison with key government stakeholders, donor community, UNITAMS, UNCT/HCT, OCHA, UN Agencies and I/NGO partners. There are over 1.1 million refugees and over 3 million IDPs in Sudan. UNHCR leads the Shelter/NFI cluster/sector that has a difficult task of managing competing needs of IDPs, refugees, returnees, flood affected communities and vulnerable residents across a vast and varied geographical area.

Under the direct supervision of the Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer and in close coordination with sub-national sector focal points, the incumbent will provide technical and operational support mainly in below mentioned areas as well as support the Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer in sector/cluster partner coordination.

1. Assessment of shelter needs and capacity
2. Participation in annual planning processes
3. Development and review of technical documentation
4. Compliance monitoring and quality assurance
5. Reporting on achievements
6. Preparation of briefing materials

The position is based in the representation/country office and therefore the incumbent is expected to maintain regular contact with sub/field offices across all 13 states in order to understand complexities and contextual particularities of each localized response down to the locality level.

The incumbent is also expected to be able to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and result-oriented manner, often with short deadlines and fluctuating workload. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate and maintain and regular liaison with sub-national Shelter/NFI focal points across 16 offices in 13 states to stay abreast of all country-wide Shelter/NFI developments.
• Assist in coordination with sector partners by attending relevant meetings, ensuring information exchange, coordinating needs assessments and gap analysis, partaking in inter-agency field missions, supporting capacity building initiatives, etc.
• Assist in carrying out joint site assessments of camp sites, transit, and collective centers in close collaboration with the government and other relevant stakeholders. Provide a technical evaluation of site’s location, suitability, capacity, physical condition, etc. and estimated scope of works required.
• Assist in carrying out technical needs assessments to determine shelter needs and capacities depending on settlement typologies, shelter typologies, shelter conditions, family composition and vulnerabilities, etc.
• Maintain a database of country-wide shelter and settlement related assessment reports, including inter-agency and inter-sectoral assessment reports.
• Develop settlement plans in close collaboration with other sectors and functional units of UNHCR to ensure access to essential services and supporting communal infrastructure/facilities
• Assist in identification of innovative shelter solutions and prepare detailed designs, architectural and construction drawings, structural calculations, technical specifications, bills of quantities and cost estimates for all shelter, settlement, and infrastructure related works. Review technical documentation prepared by partners and ensure it is technically sound and in accordance with international humanitarian standards and national building code.
• Prepare other tender-related documents, e.g., terms of reference for contracting for design services or rate schedules and breakdowns of materials and construction works for contracting for construction services, etc. and partake in technical bid evaluation when required.
• Asist Programme staff by highlighting budgetary implications of all technical components and assist with outlining procurement requirements of sector related materials, tools and equipment as well as household essential items.
• In coordination with the supply function, conduct regular market assessments and analysis of locally available household related non-food items, construction materials and skills, with the aim of promoting the use of local capacity as appropriate.
• Monitor construction works implemented by partners/ contractors and ensure completion in accordance with agreed work plans, priced BoQs, technical drawings and specifications and international and national standards. Review progress reports, financial reports and expenditure and make prompt follow up as required as well as assist with preparation of partner/ contractor performance evaluation reports.
• Assist with preparation of strategic documents, advocacy notes as well as operational and technical guidelines such as SOPs, ToRs, selection criteria, targeting criteria, etc.
• Partake in annual planning processes and assist in preparation of sector specific elements of different response plans (COP, CRP, RRP, HRP, contingency plans, etc.) as well as assist with review of partner project submissions.
• Ensure regular data collection from partners and sub-national foal points and subsequently report on sector achievements against indicators outlined in above mentioned planning documents and ensure all donor as well as GSC reporting requirements are met. Work closely with Information Management colleagues to measure and analyze S/NFI programme performance and outline prevailing trends.
• Regularly document progress of various sectoral activities and prepare narrative updates, factsheets and other briefing documents.
• Assist with preparation of sector related proposals for resource mobilization.
• Assist with review of sector partner proposals to country-based funds (SHF, RRF).
• Work in close coordination with all functional units in UNHCR as well as with external actors from other sectors to ensure coherence of our interventions and increased attention to cross cutting issues.
• Support UNHCR sub/field offices on all shelter and site planning related issues by undertaking field visits across all 13 states where UNHCR has presence and possibly 5 remaining states as well depending on operational requirements.
• Perform other duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Participatory needs assessments in terms of site selection as well as shelter and infrastructure needs have been conducted, reports have been shared in a timely manner and country-wide repository of needs has been established and maintained.
• Following close consultations with sub-national focal points and sector partners, strategic objectives, key response priorities and realistic targets have been summarized on a national level.
• Technical soundness and standardization of project documentation is ensured and so is conforming with all international standards (UNHCR, Sphere, etc.) and national building code. Project proposals are in line with evidence-based needs.
• Key sector-related impact and performance indicators are within the acceptable range and all aspects of project delivery are are executed within agreed schedules and quality targets, within budget and conforming to all internationally agreed-upon standards and guidelines. Shelter related programmes are periodically assessed and evaluated for appropriateness and adjusted accordingly.
• All reporting requirements are completed within set pogramme/ project cycle deadlines.
• Preparation of monthly and quarterly updates, factsheets and briefing documents is completed in a timely manner.

a. Education

• University degree in Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering or other related field.

b. Work Experience

• Minimum 6 years of previous job experience relevant to the function or 4 years of job experience with post-secondary education.
• Prior experience of implementing shelter and infrastructure projects in humanitarian or development context and coordinating with governmental technical departments, operational partners and other relevant stakeholders, is a plus.

c. Key Competencies

• Technical design and drafting skills including site planning and layout preparation.
• Good understanding of site surveying and assessing topographic data as well as undertaking feasibility studies.
• Experience in construction management (including site supervision, monitoring, quality control, evaluation etc.).
• Good knowledge of local construction techniques, materials, laws, standards, markets and prices.
• Good knowledge of basic computer software (MS Office, Adobe, etc.), including engineering design tools such as AutoCAD.
• Good innumeracy skills in measuring quantities and maintaining records of materials and works progress.
• Capacity to work with multi sectorial teams to ensure that relevant cross cutting issues are integrated into shelter and settlements programming.
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender and other specific needs of persons of concern.
• Excellent knowledge English and Arabic (written and oral) is essential, with proven strong drafting and reporting skills.     

d. Desirable Competencies

• Knowledge of UNHCR/ Sphere shelter standards and site selection criteria as well as standards related to protection, WASH, environment and HLP rights.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) and use of GPS/GIS tools and software
• Experience with information management
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks

Core Competencies:

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Planning and Organizing

Analytical Thinking

Stakeholder Management

Innovation and Creativity

Technological Awareness

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Candidate Assessments may include a written examination followed by a Competency Based Interview.