Senior Shelter Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, which was established in 1950 with the mission to protect the rights and well-being of refugees. UNHCR works in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members dedicated to providing assistance and support to millions of displaced individuals worldwide. The organization aims to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to promote durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country.

Job Overview:
The Senior Shelter Associate plays a crucial role in supporting comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in collaboration with various sectors such as protection, community services, public health, and WASH. This position requires gathering both quantitative and qualitative data to understand the needs and living conditions of displaced populations and host communities. The incumbent will oversee the daily operations of construction and infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), ensuring compliance with established standards and procedures throughout the project cycle. The role involves maintaining close contact with technical and non-technical staff from shelter sector members, NGOs, and government authorities. The Senior Shelter Associate will assist in adapting shelter and infrastructure responses to evolving situations, focusing on sustainable practices and minimizing risks associated with overcrowding and inadequate living conditions. The position also emphasizes the importance of urban planning strategies and environmental considerations in shelter responses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Shelter Associate is responsible for a variety of tasks, including: assisting in shelter needs assessments, ensuring the beneficiary selection process prioritizes vulnerable populations, developing and updating shelter strategies, managing construction and infrastructure projects, monitoring design and construction compliance, coordinating with other sectors, providing technical support, participating in coordination meetings, reviewing technical components of project agreements, drafting bid documents, evaluating bids, and managing risks. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure effective shelter and infrastructure interventions that meet the needs of Persons of Concern (PoC).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess essential qualifications such as experience in shelter and emergency response, strong training and capacity-building skills, and experience in design and monitoring of construction projects. Good to have qualifications include specific experience related to the Syria crisis and management of shelter partnership agreements. Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet applications, as well as knowledge of AutoCAD and mapping software, is also desirable. Functional skills in drafting, documentation, and shelter coordination are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a minimum of a High School Diploma with 4 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 2 years of relevant work experience. Relevant fields of education include Civil Engineering and Architecture, with certifications in these areas being essential for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience for those with a High School Diploma, or 2 years for those with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Experience should include shelter and emergency response, as well as project management in construction and infrastructure.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Additional language skills are considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under UNOPS LICA7 and is not remote. The target start date for the position is August 1, 2026, and the application deadline is July 22, 202

• The role is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders to ensure effective shelter and infrastructure responses.