Shelter & Settlement Team Leader at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Purpose

The Shelter and Settlement Team Leader is responsible for coordinating and implementing shelter and settlement 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. He/she also monitors financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provides timely feedback on budget follow-ups. Undertaking technical and practical operational tasks to ensure smooth, safe and efficient operation of Shelter and Settlement activities in accordance with laid down procedures and supervising Shelter & Shelter Officers and Assistants.

To this end, the Shelter & Settlement team leader will liaise with DRC staff across departments to ensure compliance with DRC Shelter and Settlement SOPs and the maintenance of SOP-compliant records during programming as directed by the Area Manager and WASH & Shelter Coordinator. Additionally, the role of the Shelter & Settlement team leader is to ensure the development and implementation of an efficient, accountable, durable solution and measurable Shelter & Settlement program in the areas where DRC is operational and within the geographical area of responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Programming

• Ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with project objectives, work plan and budget.
• Support planning and provide technical expertise on project activities, making sure that activities are properly integrated and coordinated with the other components of the project.
• Ensure that activities are designed and implemented according to agreed DRC standards as may be highlighted by recognized standards and policies.
• Undertake regular fieldwork to provide technical expertise and quality assurance on project implementation together with the project staff and community-based workers.
• Assist in the identification of direct and indirect beneficiary needs in terms of access to Shelter activities and infrastructure taking into consideration the specific needs of vulnerable individuals and persons of concern.
• Support, facilitate or undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation.
• Maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders and represent DRC in different working groups and NGO coordination meetings in the area level as assigned by Area Manager and technical manager.
• Establish and maintain constructive working relations with other NGOs, UN agencies, and Government departments in diverse forums.
• Contribute to the defined DRC area-level strategy and to the annual programming by proposing new activities based on the context, through need assessment.
• Suggest any adjustments to be made to the shelter and Settlement activity depending on contextual and indicator developments
• Working with the administrative department, contribute to developing budgets relative to his/her program and monitor expenses and budget forecasts
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the line manager.
• Uphold the highest standard of confidentiality when managing records to ensure beneficiary dignity and privacy.
• Work with the Area Manager and technical coordinators to lead the design of evidence-based pilot activities that are responsive and relevant to the target population.
• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation of activities, working with relevant MEAL staff to coordinate and roll out MEAL systems, ensuring adequate monitoring, documentation and reporting of activities against relevant indicators.

Reporting:

• Contribute to the production of quality and timely reports on program activities.
• Provide weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports to the Area Manager, including accurate figures of distributions/referrals done and challenges encountered, in the agreed format.

Representation and coordination:

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

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

Budget Management

• Monitor financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-ups.
• Provide inputs to Area Manager to ensure effective and efficient utilization of Shelter and settlement program resources through monitoring and tracking of expenditures against budgets.
• Anticipate, along with Area Manager, potential over/underspending.
• Provide expenditure forecast to Area Manager on a monthly basis.

Staff management, training & Capacity development:

• Provide technical and programmatic leadership for Shelter & Settlement officers/Assistants and community-based mechanisms in operational areas as needed.
• Conduct regular field visits or as required to ensure Shelter & Settlement tasks are going on as planned and mentoring - through technical backstopping and training of duty bearers.
• Ensure objectives for staff are set and that evaluations and performance reviews are conducted on a regular basis for all staff managed.
• Take responsibility for planning and management of leave for all staff managed.
• Identify training and capacity-building opportunities for staff and ensure they are well versed in key Shelter and Settlement and protection concepts relevant to the context, DRC's code of conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the refugee population, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.     

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support in developing and 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 Settlement strategy in Nigeria.
• Undertake regular participatory monitoring and verification visits to ensure adequate progress against action plans, and outputs and ensure that quality elements are signed off. Provide advice on any corrective action necessary.

Logistics

• Develop a procurement plan at the start of the project cycle to forecast procurement needs.
• Coordinate with the supply chain to facilitate procurement of supplies and services
• Ensure adequate stock of critical supplies at all times, particularly factoring in seasonal access limitations (wet season).
• Plan and coordinate logistics and movements of staff proactively from and to different operational areas.
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution.
• Ensure distribution plans are prepared and shared with logistics in a timely manner.

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 3 years experience in planning, implementing and evaluating Shelter and Settlement projects.
• IT skills: Good knowledge of Office software: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Data collection and analysis software.
• Proficient in AutoCAD or suitable design software.
• Highly self-driven while striving for perfection under minimum supervision.
• Thorough knowledge of SPHERE in emergency shelter standards.
• Experience in project management including project monitoring, reporting, data management and budgeting
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain good communication channels with relevant stakeholders. 

Desirable:

• Project-related skills: good knowledge of the project cycle, project implementation, project follow-up
• Experience working in emergency response with NGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context.
• Proficient in AutoCAD or suitable design software.

Expires: 10 Sep 2023