Shelter and Settlements Assistant at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Purpose

The Shelter and Settlements Assistant is responsible for supervising and implementing Shelter and Settlements projects in line with cluster standards and organizational guidelines. This role involves working closely with affected communities, local authorities, and partner organizations to design, plan, and manage shelter interventions that meet the needs of displaced populations and ensure their safety and comfort. Undertaking technical and practical operational tasks to ensure smooth, safe and efficient operation of Shelter and Settlements activities in accordance with laid down procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Programming & Operations :

• Carrying out Shelter needs assessment for returning refugees and IDPs and using results in designing intervention measures.
• Carrying out the selection, design and construction of durable shelter solutions in use by DRC.
• Mobilization of beneficiary communities to maintain the established/rehabilitated shelters.
• Support to formulate and implement capacity building plans for teams and individuals that will be involved in implementation of shelter activities.
• Design Bill of Quantities (BoQs) and annotated diagrams for structures to be rehabilitated or constructed.
• Train and guide community builders on construction tasks required during rehabilitations or new constructions.
• Monitor constructions and ensure timely completion of constructions within the project timeframe.
• Mobilise communities to provide sufficient labour for construction or rehabilitations in liaison with the Shelter and Settlements Team.

Reporting:

• Contribute to the production of quality and timely reports on program activities.
• Provide weekly/monthly reports to the Shelter and Settlements Tean, including accurate figures of distributions/referrals done and challenges encountered, in the agreed format.
• Participate in preparing monthly, quarterly, annual reports for donors.   

Representation and coordination:

• Ensure good representation and reputation of Shelter & Settlements in the sector at field levels.
• Represent DRC at Shelter & Settlement technical working group meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings as agreed with the site Shelter & Settlement officer.
• Maintain a local operational communications network and good relations with local authorities.
• Maintain coordination with other departments (i.e. Protection, MEAL, Procurement and Finance etc).

Project Development:

• Assist in developing project plans and budgets for funding
• Assist in the development of the projects’ M&E tools
• Ensure quality control during the implementation of shelter & settlement activities in accordance with Sphere and National standards.

Operations:

• Contribute to the effective implementation of all operations support activities, including those related to administration, finances and logistics, so as to ensure smooth project implementation. In all matters, comply with internal directives and policies as communicated by the Area Manager, Head of Programme and/or the relevant support departments.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support in implementing the project monitoring and evaluation plan, and timely submission of reports and other document requirements.
• Provide feedback on project implementation modality, assist in achieving maximum efficiency in project delivery, and inform the development/update of DRC’s Shelter and Settlements strategy in Nigeria.

Logistics

• Conducting technical feasibility assessments for rehabilitation and construction works in DRC operational areas prior to implementation.
• Work with the Shelter & Settlement Team in identification and selection of community assets for rehabilitation or construction on the DRC programme.
• Vetting and selection of community builders to facilitate construction activities.
• Mobilise and guide communities to source locally available resources for construction to complement the construction materials provided by DRC.
• Manage the utilisation of construction materials during constructions to ensure high quality structures are constructed.
• Monitor constructions and ensure timely completion of constructions within the project timeframe.

Other

• The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential:

• At least 2 years experience in planning, implementing and evaluating Shelter and Settlements projects.
• IT skills: Good knowledge of Office software: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Data collection and analysis software.
• Proficient in AutoCAD or any suitable design software.
• Highly self-driven while striving for perfection under minimum supervision.
• Knowledge of SPHERE in emergency shelter standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain good communication channels with relevant stakeholders. 

Desirable:

• Experience working in emergency response with NGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context.
• Proficient in AutoCAD or suitable design software.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Fluency in Hausa or Kanuri is a requirement.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or HND in Architecture, Building or Civil Engineering from a recognized institution