Consultancy: Shelter Coordinator

Habitat Poland’s Refugee Response

Habitat for Humanity Poland has supported vulnerable families to attain affordable and sustainable housing since it was stablished in 1992, with work in the cities of Warsaw and Gliwice. Prior to the current refugee crisis, Habitat managed a social rental housing program, a program for converting vacant building spaces in housing, and a shop to sell donated furniture (Habitat ReStore). All these programs are now partially or fully redirected to respond to the crises.

Over the years, Habitat has built a strong partnership with the government, including the city of Warsaw, research institutes, as well as private sector actors like the Polish Association of Developers. Habitat for Humanity International recently deployed and mobilized several global staff to support in the response to refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Habitat for Humanity Poland is searching for a Shelter Coordinator to lead coordination within the shelter sector for Habitat Poland. This includes close coordination with partner agencies like the Polish government, UNHCR and peer NGOs. The Shelter Coordinator will form part of the advocacy team and coordinate closely with Habitat Poland program staff as well as Habitat for Humanity International support staff. The Shelter Coordinator will join an existing dynamic and high capacity team and should aim to support their key program objectives and advocacy messages. The Shelter Coordinator should have strong listening, communication and facilitation skills, and ideally have experience in the shelter sector.

S/he should encourage inclusive engagement.

Expected responsibilities

1. Coordinate with co-leads to facilitate the Shelter working group This includes supporting responsibilities for coordination outlined by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and agreed upon with UNHCR and the government in Poland. The Shelter Coordinator with will with co-leads to:

• Provide impartial facilitation of the working group. This includes facilitating meetings, taking notes, communicating to working group participants, etc.
• Coordinate with other sector working groups when relevant (e.g. protection or cash working groups).
• Develop a shelter sector strategy through a participatory process with key stakeholders.
• Develop a strong working relationship with government counterparts to ensure coordination.
• Develop other key shelter sector documents – e.g. factsheets, mapping of capacities.
• Support any sub-national working groups or coordination efforts.
• Ensure agreement and adherence to common technical standards between working group participants.
• Ensure integration of key cross cutting issues such as gender, environment, age, diversity.
• Support a transparent process to establish any common funding criteria.
• Organize relevant trainings.

Furthermore, the Shelter Coordinator should leverage Habitat Poland’s expertise in housing and shelter to ensure that the working group focuses its finite capacity on key strategic areas for coordination.

• Support a common understanding of needs that can inform program design. This could include supporting a common needs assessment.
• Support a common management of major shelter risks. This may include a survey understanding hospitality host sentiments and incentive structures.
• Develop a common advocacy agenda to advance more responsive housing programming for refugees in Poland.

2. Nurture partnerships with external agencies in support of Habitat Poland programs The Habitat Poland team will partner with local and international organizations, private sector and the government to achieve its program objectives. The Shelter Coordinator will support developing relevant new partnership and nurturing existing ones.

• Coordinate with Habitat Poland program staff to stay abreast of key challenges, progress or changes in context.
• Work with Habitat Poland staff to identify key responsibilities that would require partnership.
• Network with possible organizations and stakeholders and create new relationships.
• Maintain and nurture existing relationships. This could include progress monitoring, regular meetings, development of joint advocacy agendas, etc.

Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience Required: Education: Degree, preferably in a field related to humanitarian response or housing (e.g. Architecture, Engineering)

Job experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant job experience, preferably with graduate degree.

Languages: Proficiency in English is required; fluency Polish preferred

Consultancy details:

The length of this consultancy is anticipated to be 3 – 6 months and is expected to be based in Poland (there will be a need to attend some meetings in Warsaw).