Shelter and Settlement Assistant X2

[Balad]

In 2003, , DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified [catcher/appetizer: use active 'we/you' language to reduce the distance between us as an organisation and the candidate]

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the supervision of the Shelter and Settlement (S&S) Project Manager, the Shelter and Settlement Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the planning, implementation, and follow-up of shelter and settlement activities within the assigned area. This includes supervising daily construction activities and conducting technical, vulnerability, and market assessments. The S&S Assistant is involved in key activities such as rehabilitating substandard shelters to meet Sphere minimum standards and upgrading public infrastructure within settlement sites, including roads, water supply systems, drainage, and solid waste interventions. Implementation modalities involve market-based approaches, including cash for rent, cash or voucher assistance, or contractor-led methods. The S&S Assistant ensures effective monitoring and execution of these interventions to achieve project goals.

Responsibilities:

• Field and Site Monitoring: Conduct regular field and site visits to monitor the implementation of activities within the area of operation, ensuring compliance with project plans and standards under the direct supervision of the Shelter and Settlement (S&S) Project Manager with support from Officers.
• Safety and Security Management: Ensure the safety and security of construction sites, workshops, and associated areas, including the well-being of staff and laborers, by implementing and maintaining robust safety protocols.
• Cash for Rent Coordination: Organize the schedule for Cash for Rent activities, liaising directly with colleagues and beneficiaries, and ensuring all necessary documentation, such as distribution lists and certificates of completion, is accurately completed and filed.
• Contractor Liaison and Quality Control: Liaise directly with the contractor focal point at the worksite to monitor the quality of work, in coordination with the relevant governorate directorate. Approve or reject works after consulting with the S&S Officer and Project Manager, based on the agreed standards in the contracts and Bills of Quantities (BoQ).
• Technical Surveys and Documentation: Conduct site, settlement, and building surveys, including detailed drawings, measurements, and photographs to ensure accurate project documentation and planning.
• CAD Drawings and BoQs Production: Produce technical CAD construction drawings and Bills of Quantities (BoQs) to support project planning and execution.
• Inventory and Material Management: Manage on-site stock, inventories, materials, tools, and equipment, ensuring correct filing and documentation, such as Good Receive Notes (GRNs), to maintain accountability and transparency.
• Beneficiary Identification and Assessment: Support the identification of potential beneficiaries for S&S activities, conducting necessary technical assessments to tailor responses to the specific needs of vulnerable individuals and persons of concern.
• Procurement Management: Prepare and follow up on Procurement Requests (PRs) for all materials or services needed to ensure the proper continuation of work, coordinating closely with the procurement team.
• Stakeholder Communication and Liaison: Contribute to communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners, and stakeholders at all stages of project design and implementation.
• Issue Reporting and Mitigation: Ensure regular and timely reporting of problems, potential delays, or risks to project implementation to the relevant supervisor, supporting the development and execution of solutions and mitigating actions.
• Payment and Documentation Support: Assist with the preparation and filing of Payment Requests and other project-related documentation as requested by the Line Manager, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• DRC Principles and Code of Conduct Compliance: Ensure adherence to the DRC Code of Conduct and DRC’s zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), uphold humanitarian principles, and contribute to the integration of Protection and Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into DRC programming.
• Additional Duties: Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Line Manager, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to the overall success of the project.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Construction Supervision: Proven experience in supervising construction projects, including shelter and infrastructure, with prior INGO experience in implementing shelter or WASH activities. Experience in assessments and distributions is an advantage.
• Technical Knowledge: Expertise in shelter upgrades, cash for rent programs, and infrastructure projects such as hydraulics, water infrastructure systems, and structural engineering.
• Computer Proficiency: Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, and AutoCAD, demonstrating the ability to use these tools effectively in project planning and execution.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work in a complex multicultural environment as a flexible and respectful team member.
• Field Work Capability: Willingness and capacity to work in the field and travel frequently to project sites as needed, ensuring hands-on supervision and support.
• Sensitivity to Vulnerable Populations: Ability to work sensitively with vulnerable individuals, considering gender, age, and diversity factors in all interactions and project implementations.
• Team Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work as part of a team to achieve joint objectives within a multicultural context, fostering a cooperative work environment.
• Calm Under Pressure: Ability to maintain composure in tense situations, handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, and act with transparency and integrity.
• Attention to Detail: Detail-oriented with the ability to organize and manage information, plan and manage workload, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines efficiently.

Education:

• Technical/Engineering Qualification: Engineering disciplines or qualification in technical (e.g. university degree).
• Field Experience: Significant proven field experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Languages:

• Professional proficiency in English
• Professional proficiency in Arabic
• Proficiency in Kurdish, Turkmen, and Assyrian languages is an asset.

Key stakeholders:

• Shelter and Settlement team (Project Manager, Officers, Assistants)
• Support Services Team (Support Service, Finance, Supply Chain, and Human Resources)
• Other DRC Project Managers/Team Leaders
• MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning) and IM (Information Management) Teams
• People of Concern, government bodies

WE OFFER

- Contract Length: 12 Months

- Salary Band: I

- Start Date: 1-September 2024

- Comprehensive health insurance for staff, spouse, and up to two children under 18.

- Personal Accident insurance coverage in the event of work-related accidents during working hours.

- Psychosocial support for staff and family members.

- Learning & Development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. Please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. 

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: [8-Jul-2024]

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.