Technical Advisor I, Technical Coordinator for Shelter/NFI Sector Secondment to IOM – Pending IOM approval

Job Title: Technical Advisor I, Technical Coordinator for Shelter/NFI Sector Secondment to IOM – Pending IOM approval

Grade: 9

Department: Bangladesh

Reports To: Emergency Coordinator

Country/Location: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

To apply: submit a CV and cover letter to: [email protected]

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding**

Job Summary:

Under the overall supervision of the CRS Emergency Coordinator and direct supervision of the IOM Shelter/NFI Sector Coordinator the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects and functions of the Shelter/NFI Sector Technical Coordination. The Technical Advisor will work in collaboration with other members of the IOM Sector coordination team and will work as an integral part of the IOM led Shelter/NFI Sector coordination team.

The main objective of the Technical Advisor under IOM is to support the Shelter Sector Coordinator to ensure that the Sector fulfils its core functions as defined by ISCG. He/she will deliver on defined outcomes of the project, which includes providing oversight and technical input to the phase 3 response. This will also include monitoring of technical interventions in the field, as well as assisting with design of further development of phase 3 of the shelter response.

Job Responsibilities:

Technical Advisory Capacity:

• Assist the Sector Coordinator in providing technical advisory services and expanding the contact with key sector stakeholders, including national and provincial authorities, national and international organizations, and representatives of affected populations, respecting mandates and program priorities of each of the stakeholders.
• Support the preparation and updating of the Sector core documents as defined by the Shelter Sector: Strategy, Technical Standards and guidelines. The Technical Coordinator will have a key role in finalizing the Technical Standards that the Sector has been developing in the last months.
• Support any on-going Technical Working Groups (TWiG) or instigate as necessary in accordance with the shelter sector objectives particularly with regards to phase 3 (durable) solutions and support to the host community.
• Facilitate and design IEC as required for Shelter and other infrastructures.
• Oversee and advice on shelter demonstration and technical supports to the HHs.
• Engage with shelter and other partners in discussion on appropriate longer-term shelter strategies.

Project Design and Coordination:

• Actively participate in the Shelter Technical Working Group (TWiG) to agree on technical specifications, shelter response approaches, or other technical issues. Support the Sector Coordinator in co-chairing the Shelter Sector coordination meetings as required. Ensure that the meetings are effective and action-oriented.
• Promote utilization of participatory and community-based approaches in the planning and implementation of projects in order to ensure that humanitarian responses build on local capacities.
• Promote and adopt standardized approaches, tools and formats for common use in shelter programming within the framework of an agreed common shelter strategy. These methods, tools and formats will, when possible, be in line with those promoted by the Shelter Sector.
• Ensure effective technical links with other Sectors, in particular the WASH, Site Management, Protection, Education and Health Sectors.
• Promote linkages and synergies with recovery and development stakeholders and work within the framework defined by the coordination mechanisms supporting return.
• Ensure the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues in sectorial needs assessment, analysis, planning, monitoring and response (e.g. age, gender, environment, HIV/AIDS, and diversity).
• Ensure appropriate systems of accountability, establishing standardized indicators and feedback mechanisms.
• Ensure that Sector partners including Caritas Bangladesh, are aware of relevant policy, guidelines and technical standards that the Cox’s Bazar authorities have adopted; promote adherence to agreed standards and good practice by all Sector partners, taking into consideration the need for local adaptation.
• Ensure exchange of good practices and lessons learnt amongst Sector partners by organizing presentations, joint visits, sharing documents and other activities. These include promoting common beneficiary selection criteria and mechanisms.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

· Master’s Degree in in Architecture, Civil Engineering or a related technical field from an accredited academic institution. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

· Minimum of 3 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of shelter programming.

· Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

· Experience in different international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, Donors, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement).

· Good knowledge of the Humanitarian reform process and the role of the UN System, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and the NGO humanitarian community in the Shelter Sector.

· Good knowledge of shelter-related technical guidelines and standards, including Sphere.

· Demonstrated empathy and experience in understanding the position and needs of national partners, as well as building their capacity.

· Should have very good technical knowledge and experience on indigenous architecture materials and construction methods.

· Knowledge on resilient construction techniques.

· Capacity to travel to field locations throughout Cox’s Bazar and liaise with local authorities.

· Good skills in using Microsoft Office software and other commonly used software. Knowledge of CAD and graphic design (Adobe Suite) software is desirable.

Personal Skills **

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.

· Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.

· Good presentation and facilitation skills.

· Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Language: Fluency in English is required.

Advantageous

· Bengali and local language of Cox’s Bazar/Chittagong

Travel Required: Travel within Cox’s Bazar district including Ukhia and Teknaf sub-districts (20%). Ad hoc travel to Dhaka may be required.

Key Working Relationships: **

Supervisory: None, **

Internal: CRS Emergency Coordinator, Shelter/NFI Coordinator, CRS National Shelter & Settlement TA, CRS Country Manager, CRS Technical Advisors for Shelter and Settlement and CRS Finance and Operation team

External: Caritas Bangladesh, Coordinators of other sectors (WASH, Site Management, Protection, etc.), UN and NGO Shelter/NFI partners, Host Communities Sector, Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), representatives from local and national government **

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): **

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

****Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.***

*By applying to this job, the applicant understands and acknowledges that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, the applicant understands that if s/he is a successful candidate, s/he will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate their behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.***

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. **

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

*CRS is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, caste, religion, race, HIV Status etc. CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.***

Bangladesh nationals are highly encouraged to apply.**

To apply: submit a CV and cover letter to: [email protected]