Shelter and Settlements Officer

Position Title: Shelter and Settlements Officer

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG

Type of Appointment: Special short-term ungraded, nine months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 26 May 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Preparedness and Response Division (PRD) and the direct supervision of the Shelter and Settlement Specialist, the Shelter and Settlements Officer will be responsible for the implementation of HQ lead projects and contribute to the improvement of IOM’s shelter programming globally by providing timely and relevant technical support to field missions, ensuring that IOM’s interventions contribute to identify and reflect best practices.

The Shelter and Settlements Officer will be expected to deploy as needed for short-term missions, provide remote assistance, and support the ongoing work on the global shelter and Settlements unit in HQ to improve global capacity for quality programming.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1.Project Management: responsible for the implementation of HQ managed projects as assigned.

2.Strategy: Ensure the implementation of the IOM Shelter and Settlement global strategic aims guaranteeing alignment with the overall emergency response plan of the organization and the country office. As relevant, support in reviewing or developing new Shelter and Settlements country strategies.

3.Technical Support (remote and in-country):

a. Deploy as agreed when required to support IOM operations and ensure that the shelter response is guided by technically sound shelter practices.

b. Support IOM missions as needed with the design or implementation of Shelter & Settlements (S&S) interventions, in alignment with donor /proposal requirements, Shelter Cluster /sector priorities, and IOM global and country office strategies in coordination with relevant country office focal points.

c. Design guidelines, new problem-solving approaches, standard operating procedures, and technical guidance for country missions

4.Global capacity development and program quality:

a. Continuously assess IOM’s capacity needs and existing resources, and develop training resources, guidance notes, guidelines, etc.

b. Develop mechanisms (Monitoring & Evaluation) to capture good practices, lessons learned and evidence of quality programming, ensure dissemination, and promote and monitor adoption.

5.Coordination/Representation/Partnerships:

a. Actively liaise internally with relevant units (e.g. protection Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Transition and recovery, etc.) and externally (Global Shelter Cluster, other agencies, government authorities, etc.) and any other relevant stakeholder to ensure that IOM interventions are coordinated, coherent, and complementary.

b. Participate in and represent IOM at technical working groups, disability inclusion, urban settlements, etc., networks and relevant meetings.

6.Human Resources:

a. Support recruitment of S&S staff including the development of Job Descriptions, proposed profiles according to mission needs, participate in interviews, etc.

b. Develop a database of potential consultants and S&S profiles

c. Supervise staff, consultants, or interns as required and ensure that adequate and relevant capacity building is provided

d. As required, provide training and/or mentoring to staff or Implementing Partners

7.Resource mobilization:

a. Support the project proposal review and endorsement process; including but not limited to (1) assisting country offices to develop projects in line with institutional best practices and priorities; and (2) assisting country office in the integration of cross cutting considerations.

8.Communication and Reporting:

a. Ensure an effective and active communication with all stakeholders. Make sure that the relevant and necessary information is transmitted to missions or other units in a timely manner.

b. Prepare progress and donor reports, as necessary and requested

c. Support content development of reports, technical guidance notes, presentations, brochures, web-based information, and social media, as necessary and/or as requested by management and ensure that all the relevant data and information is archived and shared appropriately.

9.Cross-cutting Themes: Ensure cross-cutting issues are integrated in the Shelter and Settlements programming, such as Gender-Based Violence, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Environment and other cross cutting issues of relevance.

10.Perform such other duties that may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Shelter and Settlements, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Social Sciences (e.g. Humanitarian Affairs, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations) or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in designing, coordinating, and implementing shelter and settlements programs. Multi-sectoral experience is an asset;

• Previous working experience in DRR, Urban infrastructure, settlement planning is an asset;

• Experience working with different international organizations specialized in humanitarian assistance (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, Donors, IFRC or ICRC);

• Experience in drafting project proposals and reports;

• Practical experience of multi-tasking, prioritizing, evaluating and planning work independently.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of current humanitarian issues with a particular focus on natural disaster-related emergencies, post-conflict interventions, Disaster Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation/Recovery;

• Computer literate including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well computer aided engineering design and geoinformatics software (e.g. AutoCAD, ArchiCAD or similar engineering software);

• Working knowledge of statistical packages, graphic and web design software is an advantage;

• Strong organizational skills;

• Strong ability to solve complex problems with investigation, analysis and creative thinking;

• Ability to timely understand the Organization’s structure and portfolios;

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build relationships and work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds;

• Ability to work in a dynamic and unpredictable operating environment;

• Proven ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to set deadlines.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge in

French, Arabic and/or Spanish language is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database

(https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.