Being an employee of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ethiopia the Shelter Project Coordinator is expected to represent NRC in a responsible manner and always act in accordance with NRC’s Code of Conduct.
Job Description
The incumbent will be expected to coordinate planning, assessments, supervision of activities, technical support and follow up towards the implementation of NRC shelter construction activities in Gambella region. All this will be done for the benefit of NRC’s groups of concern (Refugees) and vulnerable members of the host population, backed by a strong focus on community mobilization in NRC areas of operation.
The main role of the Coordinator will comprise planning, supervision, coordination and leadership to the shelter team in Gambella and NRC partner’s personnel, throughout assessments of settlements for intervention, to implementation and follow up of interventions aimed at benefitting Refugees and other people of concern to NRC. He / She will also be required to provide technical and supervisory support to contractor’s overseeing WASH constructions /rehabilitations; as well as assist the Project Manager (PM) arrive at sound technical and cost effective solutions. The incumbent shall work under the guidance of the PM Shelter in Gambella region with frequent travel to all camps, to fulfill the objectives deemed in accordance with NRC’s mandate, policies and country specific strategy that do not overlap with other organizational activities, while ensuring the security of NRC and partner staff working on NRC’s activities, along with the safe delivery of assistance to beneficiaries.
Job Requirements
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Working under the overall supervision of the Area Manager, Gambella Region, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Shelter Coordinator will be required to provide managerial coordination of activities, technical / engineering expertise, coordination of on-site supervision and support to site planning and construction training activities within the framework of the shelter construction projects in Gambella refugee camps. More specifically, the Shelter Coordinator will be responsible for the following tasks.
Planning
• Assist the PM in the preparation of NRC annual, quarterly, monthly progress plans and reports. In the absence of the PM, provide leadership to the shelter team in Region
• Contribute in the strategic planning, scheduling, assessments, monitoring and evaluation of the NRC shelter projects, while ensuring the security of NRC and partner staff involved and the safe delivery of assistance
• Project activity planning, together with the Supervising and Site Engineers, Community Mobilizes, partner’s and contractors personnel
• Assist in the development and design of new projects for Gambella Region.
• Investigate and facilitate introduction of new technologies for shelter, sanitation, Hygiene and Water Supply
Coordination /implementation
• Coordination of needs assessments for effective planning and implementation
• Coordinate the preparation of tender and contract documents for various projects - Drawings, Bills of Quantities, and Request for Quotations, etc.
• Supervision of NRC’s Engineers, hygiene promotion and construction staff.
• Provide inputs to the design & utilization of project information gathering tools & project activity manuals
• Coordinate the provision of inputs into the NRC activity data base.
• Coordinate Community Mobilizers identify and implement training needs to Refugees settlements, local communities and organizations
• Coordinate Refugees settlement’s community meetings and together with the beneficiary community asses needs and transfer that into work plans
• In close collaboration with the PM shelter, coordinate NRC’s activities with Shelter and WASH clusters, UN Agencies, International NGO, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders in Tigray Region.
• Communicate with and obtain necessary agreements and understanding from local authorities in line with the NRC protocol for communication
• Represent NRC in community meetings, Shelter or emergency response meetings in coordination with Shelter PM
• Monitor, evaluate and suggest changes and improvements in the project and materials based on observations and discussions with the shelter staff and the PM Shelter.
• Contribute to the development of NRC’s Country strategy and action plan
• Together with the OIC, coordinate the security of NRC and partner staff as well as the safe delivery of assistance.
• Ensure that the provision of temporary shelter, Sanitation, Hygiene and care & maintenance for water supply activities, emergency response or other activities are implemented in accordance with NRC norms and standards, as well as budget lines and limitations
• Other relevant duties as directed by the Area Manager, Project Manager or OIC
Responsibility for finance
• Follow up of project costs under the supervision of the PM Shelter.
• Oversee the certification of completed works, by the Engineers and preliminary certification and approval of payments for contractors / Implementing Partners, for final review and approval by the PM
Job Qualifications
• At least 5 years’ experience in an international NGO preferably in an emergency or post-conflict setting.
• Thorough experience with and knowledge of principles and current approaches to Humanitarian work, in particular shelter provisions
• Experience in facilitating the capacity building efforts of diverse colleagues, including local partner agencies
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring and other formal and non-formal methods
• Analytic and computer skills, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, design packages
• Experience with digital data gathering will be an added advantage
Education
• Graduate degree in any one of the following disciplines; Achitecture, Civil Engineering, Construction managment, etc
• Significant work experience in directly related field will be considered in lieu of specific construction and construction engineering related education
Personal Qualities
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
• Ability and willingness to work and live under difficult circumstances
• Ability to engage and motivate staff in a challenging program area
• Good coordination skills
• Goal oriented and visionary
• Patient, flexible and creative, and it helps if you have a sense of humor
Desired Skills
• Political and cultural awareness
• Knowledge of the political situation in Ethiopia will be a particular asset
• Expertise within one of NRC’s core competencies is an asset
• Knowledge of UN system, experience with field level coordination with UN organizations, INGOs, Donors and authorities.