Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family
Family TypeNon FamilyDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-07-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJuly 27, 2025
Standard Job Description
Assistant Shelter Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Shelter Officer contributes to the preparation of comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, public health, WASH, administration and supply. To ensure the most effective response, both quantitative and qualitative data should be gathered on the profile/needs and living conditions of both the displaced population and host community. The incumbent will oversee the day to-day operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to ensure that works proceed as designed and comply with established standards and procedures for the full project cycle. In a first instance, the incumbent ensures that the Operation is supported in carrying out shelter and infrastructure needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns.
Close and regular contact is also maintained with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, and shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The incumbent will also participate in discussions relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision. The Assistant Shelter Officer normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague or Technical Coordinator and maintains a strong collaboration with the Shelter and Settlements Section in HQ.
The incumbent contributes to ensuring that shelter & infrastructure responses within the AoR evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from sustainable local building practices and materials.
Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent include shelter and general infrastructure planning, design and construction monitoring including remote monitoring, therefore the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture or a related discipline.
Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis of residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should at all times minimize the risk of harm, eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions. Special attention must be given to the environment and low carbon approaches, attention to material selection through sustainable means to ensure a green approach to shelter delivery.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
Technical Guidance
- Assist in developing and periodically updating a suitable shelter approach within the AoR, taking into consideration area-based approaches, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure.
- Participate in comprehensive sectoral needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply. Engage with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the beneficiary selection process prioritises the shelter needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (POC) are addressed.
- Contribute to shelter strategies and periodically review them to reflect evolving situations and ensure alignment with national and global level policies and guidelines including: Global Compact on Refugees, Sustainable Development Goals, Relevant Global Strategies and Policies.
- Oversee all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
- Review, identify and monitor shelter programmes within the AoR and initiate responses to address the gaps in collaboration and coordination with key UNHCR technical staff, operational partners and authorities as required.
- When planning shelter solutions, work closely with other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation, infrastructure for reception, education and health so that implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- Work with established clear guidance and detailed standards for coordinated shelter assessments, specific to the operational context in line with emergency standards and long-term durable shelter solutions.
- Monitor and follow up the design and construction of infrastructure and other facilities (schools, health centres, reception centres, drainage and roadworks etc) to confirm these are approved by the relevant authorities, technically sound, supplemented with accurate drawings, detailed BQs and specifications.
- Support implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with global, national and operational strategies and guidance.
- Work with appropriate internationally accepted shelter standards, best practice and guidelines and disseminate this information among partners within the AoR to meet quality and oversight expectations.
Coordination
- Support the supervisor in ensuring that UNHCR's operation is technically sound in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of POC.
- Participate in coordination and management of UNHCR's shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely, cost-effective, inter-sectoral manner providing adequate delivery of technical interventions and services to support operational needs. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
- Where activated, provide support to a close and operational leading role in the Shelter Cluster so that UNHCR's operational footprint is aligned with the agency goals. In refugee operations, take on the role of the coordination of shelter and settlement activities in line with the Refugee Coordination Model within the AoR.
- Participate, as technical focal point for shelter/infrastructure, in coordination meetings with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to ensure UNHCR's interests and those of the POCs are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely, efficient manner.
- Coordinate with partners to assess, analyse and map available information on shelter options in the AoR considering relevant policies, guidelines and plans adopted by the Government.
Collaboration
- Support Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects. Provide technical inputs and advise Programme colleagues during Implementing Partner Selection of shelter sector partners.
- Actively work with Programme as a member of the Multi-Functional Team in the Operation and regularly participate in multi-sectoral activities to ensure protection and assistance needs of the population are met.
- Support Supply team on matters related to the procurement of construction, infrastructure and other sector related works and services. Draft complete sets of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
- Carry out technical evaluation of the received bids as well as review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion.
- Work in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including local authorities, implementing and operational partners and affected communities on issues related to the shelter and settlement programme, while ensuring full participation of them in all work in order to achieve optimum levels of adequacy in the shelter response, for enhancement of skills development and income generating opportunities.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Architecture; Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering;
Construction Management; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Hands-on technical support including experience in assistance delivery in emergencies and relief operations. Knowledge of SPHERE standards and ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS receivers and computer equipment. Knowledge of AutoCAD and other tools forming a part of the UNHCR settlement planning toolkit
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR system and operating modality. Understanding of the humanitarian architecture.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks, Civil 3D)
SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination
*SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile Given the ongoing transition of coordination structures and the scale of operational needs, the role demands strong technical and coordination capabilities, analytical skills, and cultural sensitivity to support effective engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in a complex operating environment.
Knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset, given the national scope of the position and the need for close liaison with government counterparts and national NGOs. This position presents a unique opportunity for a motivated national officer to contribute meaningfully to one of the largest and most dynamic humanitarian shelter operations globally.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.
The broad levels are A1/A2 (Basic User), B1/B2 (Independent User), and C1/C2 (Proficient User).
Qualified Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
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Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Operational Context
Fourteen years into the Syria crisis, the scale and complexity of humanitarian needs remain profound. The protracted conflict has led to massive displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and the degradation of public services. Over 16.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across the country. Displacement continues to affect millions, while a growing number of IDPs are beginning to return to their areas of origin, often to areas that remain severely damaged and lack basic services.
In response to this evolving context, the humanitarian community in Syria has transitioned to a unified Whole of Syria (WoS) coordination structure, replacing previous hub-based arrangements with an integrated approach. This includes the full unification of the Shelter/NFI Cluster across Northeast Syria, Northwest Syria, and the areas under the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). The Cluster is co-led by UNHCR and the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment (MoLAE), with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) as co-coordinating partner.
The Shelter/NFI Cluster plays a central role in coordinating the emergency shelter and non-food item response. It ensures harmonized standards, needs-based programming, and evidence-driven prioritization, while strengthening collaboration between UN agencies, international and national NGOs, donors, and authorities.
The Assistant Shelter Officer, based in Damascus, supports the national coordination and operational implementation of the shelter response under UNHCR’s leadership. Reporting to the Senior Shelter Cluster Coordination Officer, the incumbent contributes to planning and technical coordination, facilitates information exchange and field engagement, supports partner capacity building, and consolidates inputs from sub-national levels. This role is critical in ensuring consistent programmatic alignment and technical coherence across partners as the sector responds to growing return movements, severe housing damage, and new displacement.
The Assistant Shelter Officer also contributes to strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration with clusters such as WASH, CCCM, and Protection, supporting joint assessments and promoting the mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes such as gender, protection, environmental sustainability, and early recovery, in alignment with the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The incumbent also plays a role in the technical review of pooled fund proposals and supports response monitoring and reporting.
Damascus conditions for more information, please visit: https://wellbeing.unhcr.org/syria/local-knowledge
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning, SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks, Civil 3D), SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination
EducationBachelor of Arts: Architecture, Bachelor of Arts: Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Arts: Construction Management
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance