Job Title: Shelter Technical Expert

Location :  Aden

Deadline: 04 July, 2023

Background

BCHR is a leading national non-governmental humanitarian agency with a global mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. BCHR is a non-profit and non-governmental organization aiming to provide health, nutrition, food security and protection services as a humanitarian response to the escalating socio-economic situation in Yemen since 2015.

Shelter Technical Expert
1. Background

Internally displaced people in Yemen continue to face a myriad of challenges, with the average household displacement being eight years and at least 25% displaced two times or more. Of the 4.5 million displaced people, at least one-third are currently displaced in the Aden hub. In the hub, about 324,000 people are living in 828 IDP spontaneous settlements. Several parts of the region have been exposed to flooding. Additionally, the latest figures indicate approximately 1.3 million returnees in the country. The presence and exposure to explosive hazards in returnee areas and damages to houses pose further obstacles impacting prospects for return or at least sustainability of return. The cluster requires a Shelter Technical Expert to strengthen its structure in the Aden hub to facilitate response planning and coordination. These positions will complement the role of the existing Sub-National Shelter/NFI Cluster Deputy Coordinator, strengthening the capacity of coordination in the Aden Hub. The two position should be dedicated to the Shelter Cluster 100% and aware of the context, culture, and norms of the local community in the region.

Reporting line

The Shelter Technical Expert are independent, neutral functions that represent Shelter members, not their hiring agency; this requires dedicated staff capacity and commitment.
Both positions report to the Shelter Cluster Coordinator at the National Level in his/her wide range of responsibilities. The two functions should coordinate and support international and local partners active in the hub; he/she has delegation to make operational and strategic decisions under his/her jurisdiction, in close consultation with National Shelter Cluster and alignment with strategies, policies, standards, and frameworks. The Shelter Technical Expert should work closely with the Shelter Cluster Technical Support Specialist at the National Level in all his/her duties.

Technical Guidance

- Collect and analyze shelter cluster partners' practices, including plans, drawings, technical documentation, and BoQ.

- Moderate and conduct the regular meeting of the Shelter or NFI sub-technical working groups in the Aden hub and ensure strong linkage to and participation with the national TWiGs.

- Collect, review, and analyze materials used by Shelter Cluster partners, including preparation of field quality tests in line with national and international standards.

- Participate in materials inspection for cluster partners, including producing technical reports.

- Draft and develop documents summarizing technical standards and their consideration related to Shelter, NFI, site planning, and basic infrastructure.

- Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC).

- Provide support to partners' construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR, ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established Cluster and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.

- Develop technical drawings, specifications, BoQ’s and other relevant documentation within Shelter / NFI AOR, ensuring alignment with international best practices and standards.

- Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH, education, and health, so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronized and coordinated.

- Assist implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with national and global standards, national and operational strategies, and guidance.

Coordination

- Provide technical support in shelter, construction, and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.

- Assist in coordinating partners' shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.

- Participate, as a technical focal point within the AoR for shelter/infrastructure, in Shelter cluster coordination meetings with various stakeholders, including Government counterparts, to ensure Cluster interests and those of the PoCs are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely, efficient manner.

- Carry out regular support missions to other locations under the Aden hub e.g. Marib, Al-Mukalla and South Taizz, West-Coast.

Collaboration

- Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids when needed as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion, if requested by partners

- Support delivery of shelter exhibits and shelter response prototyping, including reporting and delivery of best practice guidance material.

- Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

- Undergraduate degree (the equivalent to a BA/BS) preferably in shelter-related sciences (e.g. civil engineering or architecture) plus a minimum of 5 years of previous relevant work experience with humanitarian organizations/international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, INGO/NGOs, IOs, Red Cross Red Crescent, Donors).

- Knowledge of computer graphics, AutoCAD (AED suite), and mapping software as well as the capacity to use mapping tools (GPS), digital photographic equipment, and related software (map info, etc.).

- Knowledge of the Humanitarian Reform, Transformative Agenda, and Cluster Approach, the role and mandate of the humanitarian community (UN System, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and NGO),

- Knowledge of Shelter and settlement response in an emergency, technical guidelines and standards, Sphere project,

- Knowledge of cycle project management and experience in resources mobilization are assets,

- Experience in coordination with government authorities, national NGOs, international NGOs, and the UN,

- Fluency in English and Arabic (both verbal and written),

- Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Hub, when requested.

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