Shelter Associate

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Budapest Hungary

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 18 2025

Shelter Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Shelter Associate provides support in carrying out 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 assist in 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.
Close and regular contact is maintained with technical and non-technical staff of shelter sector members national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The Shelter Associate normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague.
The incumbent assists the supervisor in 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. S/he provides technical assistance in general infrastructure planning design and construction monitoring.
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 UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.


Duties

Technical Guidance
- Assist in carrying out shelter needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection programme community services WASH administration and supply.
- Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC).
- Assist the supervisor in developing and updating shelter strategies 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.
- Provide support in the daily management of all construction and infrastructure projects within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance to established UNHCR and national standards/best practices for the full project cycle.
- Follow up the design and construction of infrastructure (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 and implemented according to plans completed within designated timelines budget and ensure that this information is shared with relevant colleagues.
- Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH education and health so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- Assist implementing partners on sound technical shelter and settlement issues while ensuring compliance with national and global standards national and operational strategies and guidance.
- Coordination
- Provide technical support in the field of shelter construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.
- Assist in coordination and management of UNHCRs shelter and infrastructure interventions in a timely cost-effective inter-sectoral manner. Work with the government and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.
- Participate as technical focal point within the AoR for shelter/infrastructure in coordination meetings with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to ensure UNHCRs interests and those of the PoC are adequately reflected and disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely efficient manner.

Collaboration
- Assist Programme in reviewing technical components of the Project Partnership Agreements that contain any construction and infrastructure projects.
- 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.
- Provide support in the preparation of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications BoQs drawings etc.
- Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works.

- 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Civil Engineering; Architecture

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Knowledge of SPHERE standards and the ability to use basic survey equipment digital cameras and computer equipment. Experience in developing shelter and settlement need assessments and undertaking gap analysis for development of shelter programs.

Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards as well as standards related to protection environment and land use. Knowledge of a range of shelter assistance options including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of PoC is taken into account while designing and developing shelter options. Knowledge of computer graphics AutoCAD and mapping software as well as the capacity to use mapping tools (GPS) and digital photographic equipment and related software (map info etc.).

Functional Skills
SP-CAD 3D modeling for Settlement Analysis (eg. Infraworks Civil 3D)
CO-Drafting and Documentation
SP-Shelter and Infrastructure Coordination
IT-Computer Assisted Design Software (e.g. AutoCAD)
(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.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Knowledge of the Humanitarian reform process and the role of the humanitarian community (UN System Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and NGO) preferably in shelter.
Experience in implementing programs in the shelter-related sciences (previous experience in humanitarian shelter programming is desirable but not essential)
Knowledge of current humanitarian issues.
Good knowledge of shelter-related technical guidelines and standards.
Good communication skills.

Desirable:
Applied knowledge in UNHCR mandate its policies and priorities in relation to IDPs shelter and NFI. Demonstrated expertise in program management and reporting requirements

Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies:
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management

Functional Skills:
PR-Cluster Information Management Tools Resources and Approaches
ER-Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanisms
SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination
PR-Global Shelter Cluster Strategy

Certificates and/or Licenses:
Training on Cluster Coordination (Humanitarian Shelter Coordination training or Coordination and Leadership training)
UNHCR Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
UNHCR Workshop on Emergency Management

The selection process may include a written test and candidates may be required to undergo a written assessment.

English

Ukrainian

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been present in Ukraine since 1994 and substantially increased its presence and response after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The geographical presence within Ukraine has significatively expanded to deliver the emergency response. The country office is located in the capital Kyiv and sub- and field offices are currently located in Dnipro Kyiv Lviv Odesa and Kharkiv.

The war in Ukraine has caused death and suffering on a dramatic scale. In 2025 more than 12.7 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection according to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Some 3.7 million people are internally displaced while around 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded across Europe and beyond. Some 75000 people including some of the most vulnerable notable older people and people with disabilities live in collective sites spread across the country. Ukraine also hosts asylum-seekers and refugees and is home to thousands of people who are stateless or at risk of statelessness.

The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure with the energy sector being particularly targeted has made life extremely challenging for millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and has severely disrupted access to electricity water heating as well as critical services including healthcare education and social protection services. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered particularly in frontline areas as well as to areas under temporary occupation of the Russian Federation. Civilians remain exposed to serious risks to their physical security and integrity particularly in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The risk of GBV including sexual violence continues to prevail alongside family separations loss of housing and properties as well as identity and civil documentation. Populations displaced or otherwise affected by the war live in situations of deprivation following the loss or damage of their housing loss of income and often become dependent on an overstretched social protection system.

The Government of Ukraine maintains a strong lead role in responding to the needs of its population and UNHCR supports the Government and its central and local institutions to provide protection shelter/housing cash and in-kind assistance to displaced and other people impacted by the war. Currently UNHCR has MOUs with five-line ministries the First Ladys foundation as well as the Office of the Ombudsman 19 regional state administrations and agreements with 14 partners to deliver assistance and support the localization of the response.

Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator UNHCR operates as part of the Inter-agency humanitarian response working in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners. UNHCR is leading three clusters - Protection Shelter and NFIs and CCCM. The strategic orientation of UNHCRs response is to reach people particularly those with specific vulnerabilities who remain in frontline and heavily affected areas with immediate relief while supporting displaced people and those who have remained in their homes or returned with protection advice housing support livelihoods advice and cash assistance to enable their recovery and attainment of durable solutions.

Protection needs to be truly at the center of this response as the highest critical needs of the population caused by the international armed conflict are in the area of protection. Since Ukraine is a highly sophisticated country with a strong government leadership and well-established administrative social protection and digital systems it is essential to design and deliver UNHCRs protection programs in a way which simultaneously addresses immediate needs and supports the further development of sustainable and inclusive national protection systems.

With the EU having voted to confirm Ukraines accession to the EU at the end of 2023 Ukraine will also embark on a series of substantial and long-term reforms in numerous sectors including justice and home affairs which presents an opportunity to contribute to strengthened and more inclusive protection asylum and statelessness reduction systems. Working closely with government authorities local community representatives and partners from the embassies UN civil society and international financial institutions amongst others is thus key to ensuring that UNHCRs response is closely aligned with and complementary of national and local strategies and recovery plans.

As the war continues new urgent humanitarian needs are created every day alongside protracted ones and peoples and communities efforts to recover and rebuild their lives in war-torn communities. Among the IDPs and refugees from Ukraine the majority express a hope and desire to return to their homes as soon as the security situation allows. The protection needs of the population thus need to be analyzed and addressed both from a humanitarian as well as from an early recovery and durable solutions perspective with UNHCR playing a leading role in this work.

Nature of Position:

The Shelter Associate is responsible for supporting the day-to-day shelter cluster responsibilities in Kharkiv Oblast. Currently the Shelter Cluster in Kharkiv coordinates 55 organizations which are implementing key activities including emergency shelter distributions humanitarian repairs and distribution of non-food and winter assistance. The Shelter Cluster in Kharkiv is led by UNHCR and co-chaired by the Czech International NGO People in Need. As part of the Humanitarian Coordinators humanitarian reset initiative Kharkiv has become a standalone hub to ensure further decentralized coordination services at oblast level. Subnational Coordination is focused on operationalizing the coordination of shelter response at the field level. Close and regular contact is maintained with technical and non-technical staff of shelter cluster members national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The Shelter Associate reports to the Shelter Cluster Coordinator of East Hub while supporting the Kharkiv Sub-Cluster Coordinator which is a position provided to the Cluster from People in Need.

The incumbent assists the supervisor in ensuring that shelter & infrastructure responses within Kharkiv Oblast are well coordinated between actors and are implemented in accordance with the Shelter Cluster technical guidelines providing updates and lessons learned on these guidelines regularly. S/he provides coordination services through bilateral meetings with partners monitoring of shelter cluster partner activities organization of shelter cluster meetings and attendance in other relevant cluster and general coordination meetings.

Security:

The international armed conflict in Ukraine is ongoing and the Russian Federation Armed Forces temporarily occupy parts of Donetsk Luhansk Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The frontline is the primary area of kinetic military operations particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions and north of Kharkiv. Cruise missiles ballistic missiles aero-ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been targeting vital civilian and military sites including airports since the start of the invasion. As a result commercial air travel is suspended and vehicles and trains are the only modes of transportation. Since 2023 there has been an increase in attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout the country.

Whilst the UN has not been targeted directly the threat of collateral damage continues to remain in place with cases of UNHCR IPs reporting collateral damages and several humanitarian workers recorded as been killed and injured since the start of the full-scale invasion. The UN Security Management System (UNSMS) applies a comprehensive Security Risk Management (SRM) process to identify security threats and evaluate risk levels. The security risk levels are regularly reviewed. Currently the most significant threats and hazards are associated with the international armed conflict with current risk levels ranging from high to Very High or Unacceptable in areas with ongoing hostilities.

This has resulted in a decrease of humanitarian space making it difficult and sometimes impossible to access people in need in frontline areas. When assessing risk levels the security personnel and the UNHCR Representative as part of the countrys Security Management Team adhere to the SRM process as defined by the UNSMS. In general the projected risk level in all three SRM areas where the UN/HCR operates is High.

Therefore applicants for positions in Ukraine should be prepared to work in a highly dynamic security environment where unexpected events occur frequently. Air raids are common and staff may be required to work from bunkers or underground car parks metro stations and other locations for extended periods. Power and water outages are to be expected and will make life more challenging during the winter months. Depending on the evolution of the war disruptions to public services such as shops banks and restaurants may occur. Curfews are in place throughout the country and mission travel must be authorized by the Representative or designated managers subject to the completion of mandatory BSAFE SSAFE and IFAK training and security clearance procedures. Private trips within the country are prohibited for international staff.

The Field Security Unit works closely with UNDSS and other interlocutors of the UNSMS to ensure that program activities can be implemented within the acceptable level of risk by following the required measures and procedures set up and approved by the Designated Official. Due to the countrys evolving operational and security environment UNHCR needs to maintain strong security contingency preparedness supporting its mandate of providing protection and assistance to people in need.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Drafting Documents MG-Coordination MG-Meeting Facilitation PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach SP-Infrastructure Development/Construction Management/Property Management

Education

High school diploma: Shelter-related sciences

Certifications

HCR Coordination Learning Program - UNHCR HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Organizational awareness Teamwork & collaboration Technological awareness

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance