Project Manager - Shelter & Settlements

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. Established in 1946, NRC has grown to employ approximately 15,000 staff members and operates in 40 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of displaced individuals and communities, focusing on their rights and needs. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager for Shelter & Settlements will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of programming and coordination across NRC Ukraine’s North-East Area Office (AONE). This position involves mentoring, training, and developing the capacity of staff in all areas related to Shelter & Settlements technical capacity and humanitarian project implementation. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing and implementing projects according to established strategies, proposals, and donor requirements while ensuring compliance with NRC policies. The role requires a strong understanding of the local context, particularly regarding Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) issues in Ukraine, and the ability to work effectively in challenging environments. The Project Manager will also contribute to the development of strategies based on beneficiary needs and context assessments, ensuring that projects target the most vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Contributing to the development of country, area, and core competency strategies based on technical expertise and beneficiary needs assessments.
• Managing and implementing core competency projects, ensuring adherence to strategies, proposals, budgets, and donor requirements.
• Developing and updating detailed project work plans, spending plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and recruitment plans for specific projects.
• Contributing to proposal development with specific inputs related to area operations.
• Identifying new programming opportunities and fostering synergies with other core competencies and local partnerships.
• Providing regular progress reports to the Area Programme Manager and Shelter & Settlements Specialist.
• Implementing technical direction as determined by the Shelter & Settlements Core Competency Specialist, ensuring high technical quality and cost efficiency of projects.
• Ensuring that projects effectively target beneficiaries in need and promote the rights of displaced individuals.
• Managing and developing project staff within the Shelter & Settlements team. 1
• Collaborating with local authorities and key stakeholders to enhance project impact. 1
• Promoting the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in line with advocacy strategies. 1
• Actively promoting Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards within NRC and among beneficiaries.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a relevant university degree, preferably in architecture or civil engineering. They should have at least three years of field experience as a Project Manager, particularly in shelter and settlements programs within complex emergencies. The ideal candidate will have experience in project cycle management, risk management, staff development, and grants and budget management. Additionally, experience in logistics and administration management, as well as managing large-scale infrastructure and energy-focused projects, is essential. Familiarity with localization, durable solutions, and settlements-based approaches is also highly desirable. A good understanding of the Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) context in Ukraine is crucial, along with excellent communication and reporting skills in both written and oral formats.

Educational Background:
A relevant university degree is required for this position, with a preference for candidates holding degrees in architecture or civil engineering. This educational background is essential to ensure that the Project Manager has the necessary technical knowledge and skills to effectively oversee shelter and settlements programming.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of field experience working as a Project Manager, specifically in shelter and settlements programs within complex emergencies. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing projects through all phases of the project cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects and partnership-led programming is highly valued, as is familiarity with the local context and challenges faced in Ukraine.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English and Ukrainian is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the Russian language is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with various stakeholders and beneficiaries in the region.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Kharkiv, Ukraine, specifically within the North East Area Office. The contract duration is set for 12 months, with travel requirements of up to 30% to field locations. The salary and benefits are classified under Grade 8 on NRC's grading structure. NRC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Ukraine, as the organization is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position. The application process requires candidates to submit copies of their academic and professional certificates, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.