Shelter and Settlement Officer South Sudan Nyirol

Position:                                Shelter & Settlement Officer (01). 

Reports to:                            WASH & Shelter Coordinator
Supervision of:                        Shelter & Settlement Assistant

Context:                                    Humanitarian / Emergency

Duty station:                            Nyirol, Jonglei state (Field based)

The Norwegian refugee council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization. Our task is to improve international protection of refugees and internally displaced persons and offer humanitarian assistance regardless of race, nationality or political views. 

Our efforts are founded on the principal that all human beings are entitled to a life in peace, liberty, safety and equality, as this is expressed in the universal declaration of human rights. NRC has been working in South Sudan since 2004. Our core activities include WASH, Education, Shelter Site & Settlement, Cash and Markets, and Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). 

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values; Dedication, Innovation, Inclusivity and Accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.  

1. Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the Shelter Officer is to be responsible for and support the implementation of Shelter, Site & Settlement activities of the project including; coordinating the construction and repair of emergency and transitional shelters, distribution of shelter kits and NFIs, site planning and settlement improvement, design plans and development of BoQs, and participation in report writing from the field. The Shelter Officer shares regular updates with the WASH & Shelter Coordinator concerning project implementation and any other situation that requires immediate action. 

The following is a brief description of the role. 

Generic responsibilities (max 4)

These responsibilities shall be the same for all positions with the same title. The responsibilities shall be short and essential. Details belong in the Work- and Professional Development Plan.

1. Managing the Shelter & Settlement Assistant, incentive workers, and casual labourers, and community shelter committees.

2. Assisting the WASH & Shelter Coordinator in realization of the project’s objectives; planning, implementing, and monitoring the project’s activities.

3. Representing NRC on different forums (Shelter, Land and Site Coordination (SLSC) Cluster, specific working groups, etc.) at the field level.

4. Preparing weekly reports and including follow-up on the actions for improvements, submitting to the WASH & Shelter Coordinator the challenges and plans for the following week.

5. Prepare and regularly update work plan using available standard tools to track overall project implementation progress gauged against the budget expenditures. Ensure that project activities in the log frame and well aligned with the budget expenditures.

Specific responsibilities 

• Support project introduction exercise to the local authorities, partners and community leaders as a requirement and an important part of project accountability and risk management. Introduction to include sessions on humanitarian and PSEA principles.

• Conducting and supporting Shelter & Settlement needs assessments, beneficiary selection and verification with communities, local authorities and partners, ensuring vulnerable and disadvantaged households are prioritized.

• Ensure the set targeting criteria are followed and the selection process is led by the Protection Officer and follows NRC Community Engagement and Accountability guidelines

• Planning and overseeing the registration, distribution and post-distribution monitoring of shelter kits and NFIs in line with NRC standards. 

• Coordinate with SLSC Cluster through the State Focal Point during the response including provision of a Needs Analysis Report using standard SLSC cluster template, completing Pipeline Request PLR) for release of household items (shelter/NFIs) from the SLSC Core Pipeline.

• As part of planning and overseeing distribution, staff to develop a Distribution Plan and ensure it is communicated to all stakeholders including NRC staff and community extension workers

• Preparing tools for Shelter & Settlement technical activities, forms, designs and drawings of shelters, BoQs, technical specifications, contracts, completion certificates, etc.

• Supervising the construction and repair of emergency and transitional shelters (including flood-resilient designs where relevant), site visits, quality control, progress tracking, handover to beneficiaries, photo documentation and works reports.

• Where required, designing a completion certificate for contractors and advising on the payment process of contractors and artisans.

• Supporting site planning and settlement layout in coordination with site management (CCCM) actors and authorities, plot allocation, spacing, drainage and access, and mitigation of flood and fire risks.

• Liaising with the Logistics Department to prepare/organize field trips, purchase and transport of shelter materials and tools, and to release items from stock for carrying out activities.

• Cooperation with local authorities and local communities; attending meetings, taking notes, informing the WASH & Shelter Coordinator about the outcome of meetings attended.

• Facilitating appropriate community involvement in the design and delivery of shelter activities; mobilizing local labour and supporting community shelter committees.

• Cooperation with and training artisans, carpenters and beneficiaries on safe construction techniques and shelter maintenance, ensuring trainings are well balanced in terms of gender and age and keeping records of attendees.

• Raising awareness of Housing, Land and Property (HLP) issues, and coordinating with the ICLA team to refer and follow up HLP-related concerns affecting shelter interventions.

• Coordinating with the Cash and Markets team where cash or voucher-based shelter and NFI support is applicable, including conducting level 1 market assessment.

• With the support of Cash and Markets team, ensure that cash assistance the required conditional cash assistance for sectoral cash assistance

• Cooperation with the WASH & Shelter Coordinator in general, and specifically in managing procurement and logistics for project-related equipment and material, preparing and revising purchase requests from the technical side; analyzing quantities and quality of material in accordance with NRC standards.

• Maintaining an accurate record and taking proper care of all field equipment and material stocks for the NRC Shelter & Settlement Team.

• Documentation and monitoring of shelter and settlement conditions, damage and needs mapping in cooperation with other stakeholders.

• Ensuring adherence to the NRC Code of Conduct, safeguarding and PSEA principles, and supporting the community feedback and complaints mechanism. PSEA principles to be mainstreamed and be part of any training conducting to the staff, community or the stakeholders

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• Project planning: WASH & Shelter Coordinator.

• Area operations: Logistics support.

• Staff capacity building: WASH & Shelter Coordinator, PDU.

• Implementation: Shelter & Settlement Assistant, incentive workers, artisans, community shelter committees.

Scale and scope of position

2. Competencies 

Competencies are important for the employee and the organization to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories:

 1. Professional competencies 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance. 

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• Degree or higher diploma in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning or related field.
• Minimum experience of 2-3 years working with humanitarian organizations, preferably in Shelter & Settlement or construction-related roles.
• Ability to mitigate and mediate conflict and disagreements amongst teams.
• Knowledge on how to apply Shelter & Settlement approaches and integrate them into the Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster approach.
• Knowledge on Emergency and Recovery interventions (post-disaster interventions).
• Demonstrated previous experience from working in the related position.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience (shall be adapted to the specific position): 

• Ability to plan and lead.

• Experience in representing NRC and participating in meetings such as Humanitarian coordination and Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster meetings when delegated.

• Ability to work independently in a result-oriented, multi-tasking and multi-cultural environment and managing conflict issues.

• Knowledge on prioritization of disadvantaged groups or populations (IDPs, marginalized groups, returnees, GBV survivors, etc.).

• Flexibility and time management.

• Knowledge of the local languages; Nuer, Arabic.

• Knowledge of the local context (areas of operations).

• Knowledge of good practice standards: SPHERE standards and Shelter Cluster guidelines.

• Proven experience in implementing community-based shelter and settlement projects, including in flood-prone environments.

2. Behavioural competencies (max 6)

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies, and the following are essential for this position:

• Planning and producing results.
• Team spirit and management.
• Empowering others.
• Communicating with respect and impact.
• Applying professional expertise.

• Working in insecure environments.

3. Performance Management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with NRC Performance Management Manual. The following documents will be used for performance reviews: 

• The Job Description. 

• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan.

• The Competency Framework.

4. Application Procedure

• The applicant must provide a detailed updated CV with as a motivation letter with an explanation as to why he or she would like to work for NRC and why he/she is the best candidate for this position.

• The applicant must have a valid nationality certificate or passport. 

• Contact details including phone numbers and email address plus three referees are all essential. 

• Applications must be submitted not later than 

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   online or in an enclosed enveloped marked with the position tittle: Shelter & Settlement Officer 

• Please do not submit original certificates; submitted application documents will not be returned (Hard copies are only accepted) or email application respectively. 

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.