Shelter & Wash Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization dedicated to assisting people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. Established to provide high-quality aid and defend the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, NRC operates in various countries, including Burkina Faso, where it has been active since 201

• The organization focuses on several core competencies, including Shelter, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, and Protection from Violence. NRC is committed to fostering professional growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce, ensuring a supportive culture and open dialogue with management. The organization emphasizes safeguarding and has a zero-tolerance policy against exploitation and abuse, aiming to create a safe environment for all individuals involved in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Shelter & Wash Specialist position at NRC is crucial for providing technical oversight and strategic direction to the organization's WASH and Shelter Core Competency (CC) in Burkina Faso. The role involves developing and implementing strategies that align with NRC's mission to assist vulnerable populations affected by conflict. The Specialist will ensure quality assurance for all projects, mentor and train staff to enhance their technical capabilities, and develop a donor strategy to expand the program. This position requires a deep understanding of the humanitarian context in Burkina Faso, particularly the challenges posed by insecurity and the need for innovative programming that integrates WASH and Shelter initiatives. The Specialist will also play a key role in promoting safe and inclusive programming standards, ensuring that the needs of displaced populations are met effectively and compassionately.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Shelter & Wash Specialist include: developing WASH and Shelter CC strategies and technical guidance; ensuring compliance with NRC policies and procedures; contributing to fundraising efforts by developing and revising funding proposals, budgets, and donor reports; identifying trends and technical standards relevant to the sector; providing technical direction and support to project implementation teams; ensuring that lessons learned from project implementation are integrated into staff development processes; conducting systematic training and capacity building for WASH and Shelter staff; representing NRC in relevant forums and clusters; promoting the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees; leading the development of innovative programming that addresses the challenges faced by displaced populations; ensuring high technical quality in project deliverables; and supporting programmatic monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Shelter & Wash Specialist position must possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical expertise area within a humanitarian or recovery context, with at least 2 years of specific experience in WASH and/or Shelter programming. They should have a proven track record of working in complex and volatile environments, demonstrating expertise in Shelter and WASH programming. Additionally, candidates should have experience in humanitarian coordination, fluency in both English and French, and the ability to travel to field offices in areas with volatile security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions. Knowledge of the regional Sahel conflict dynamics and experience in program scale-up and scale-down are also preferred qualifications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Shelter & Wash Specialist position typically includes a degree in a relevant field such as humanitarian studies, international development, civil engineering, or a related discipline. Advanced degrees or specialized training in WASH or Shelter programming may be advantageous and enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in technical areas related to humanitarian assistance, with at least 2 years specifically focused on WASH and/or Shelter programming. Experience in complex and volatile contexts is essential, as is a demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects effectively. Candidates should also have a history of achieving documented results related to their responsibilities in previous roles.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders and affected populations.

Additional Notes:
The Shelter & Wash Specialist position is expected to involve approximately 50% travel to field offices, particularly in regions of Burkina Faso where security conditions are volatile. The role is full-time and may require working in challenging environments. NRC is committed to recruiting both nationally and internationally, and the organization offers competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract qualified candidates. The position emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and requires adherence to NRC's policies on respect, dignity, and the prevention of exploitation and abuse.