Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and an increasing risk of economic collapse. Forty years of armed conflict, recurrent natural disasters – including droughts and floods, increased poverty, food insecurity, failing health systems, and lack of shelters, compounded by COVID-19 – have made most of the people in Afghanistan vulnerable to extreme protection risks.
Events after August 2021, in addition to the global economic impact of COVID-19, have severely affected the coping mechanisms of vulnerable population groups in the country, particularly internally displaced people. The prices of main food commodities in Afghanistan are significantly higher than in the first half of the year. An average food basket now costs more than 82 per cent of the average family income. It is anticipated that 95 per cent of Afghans are now facing food insecurity. Some 23 million people, over half of Afghanistan’ s population, are facing acute food insecurity.
UNHCR has put in place a Preparedness and Response Plan to meet needs in this fast-evolving context to: (i) provide critical protection and life-saving assistance and prevent human suffering; (ii) ensure life-saving assistance by improving access to essential services and by creating a conducive protection environment to mitigate further displacement; and (iii) support building resilient communities through area-based programming, in so-called Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration (PARR), in line with the whole-of-society approach.
UNHCR Afghanistan’s population of concern includes 3.7 million persons including refugees, refugee returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and members of the host communities.
Against the backdrop, UNHCR has been working to complement and support the de facto authorities in addressing the needs of IDPs through its coordinator role in the Afghanistan Protection and ES/NFI Clusters as well as the provider of last resort. In particular, during emergency phases, UNHCR conducts joint needs assessments with other humanitarian actors and coordinates its responses. In addition, UNHCR is one of the key actors conducting Community-Based Protection Monitoring (CBPM) to assess the protection needs and concern of the IDPs and other POCs. In addition, for IDPs identified as most vulnerable, UNHCR provides assistance through its Persons with Specific Needs Programme (PSN) and Cash for Protection Programme (CFP). Under the “Whole of Community Approach” and to realize the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus, UNHCR also concentrates its effort to support durable solutions for IDPs, primarily in the Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration (PARRs). In the PARRs, IDPs benefits from a range of services and projects, including, among others, education, health, shelter, youth empowerment, livelihood opportunities, WASH, and infrastructure.
The Afghanistan Emergency Shelter and NFI cluster was established in March 2008, led by UNHCR and co-chaired by IOM. The ES/NFI cluster continues to coordinate and support access to basic lifesaving assistance through the provision of emergency shelter, shelter repair, rental support, NFIs and winterization assistance and while ensuring adequate coordination mechanisms and response capacities at national and regional levels with various line ministries. The ES/NFI cluster has established coordination mechanisms at sub-national levels of which Shelter Associate (Regional Focal Point - Shelter/NFI Cluster) will support at regional level. To enhance coordination and response, the ES/NFI cluster also has Provincial focal points in all Provinces with the sole aim of supporting the Sub-National ES/NFI Cluster Coordinator (Regional Focal Point) in representing the cluster, sharing information on displacement, assessments, partner mapping, and response. These national and sub national roles form the ES/NFI Cluster coordination team. This team, at all levels, must ensure the inclusion of key humanitarian partners within the Cluster, respecting their mandates and Programme priorities. Together with the Cluster members, the team identifies the overall requirements in responding to natural and conflict emergencies and will endeavors to ensure Cluster capacity to meet this threshold.
The Shelter Associate (Regional Focal Point - Shelter/NFI Cluster) supports coordination functions in the Region to ensure UNHCR’s role as the Shelter Cluster (SC) Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach. The incumbent supports UNHCR’s commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The Regional Cluster Coordinator- Shelter/NFI (Shelter Associate) also contributes to cross-sectoral coordination with other related clusters in the Region such as WASH, CCCM, Protection (HLP) and others, supports the mainstreaming of early recovery activities and cross-cutting issues into the work of the Shelter Cluster, especially age, gender, diversity, HIV, and environment.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The Shelter Associate (Regional Focal Point - Shelter/NFI Cluster), with assistance from the Regional Co-Chair and National Cluster Coordinator, will have the following functions:
a) Representing the ES/NFI Cluster at Regional national level with the regional government authorities, state representative’s institutions, local and national organizations, and donor agencies.
b) Support National Cluster coordinator by providing inputs and information, such as Identifying topics that need special attention at the national cluster level.
c) Lead the Regional Cluster in designing the regional (context specific) plans and in assessing needs and gaps.
d) Strive for a common understanding by all cluster members of the cluster’s needs, to ensure that the targets are met.
e) Call regular meetings as required to discuss regionally adapted targets, debate on challenges, monitor progresses, and detect gaps and overlaps with all relevant cluster members active in their respective areas.
f) Encourage timely and accurate reporting by all the cluster members. Ensure that ES/NFI partners in the region are reporting their activities into Report hub platform.
g) Promote attention to vulnerable groups and cross cutting issues.
h) In conjunction with the national coordinator, advocate on funding and materials needs for partners to address identified gaps.
i) Promote good practice within the ES/NFI Cluster, including participatory approaches.
j) Represent the interests of the Regional Cluster in internal strategic and planning discussions with the lead agency, UNHCR.
k) Liaise with the local IDP Taskforce (or its equivalent), if one is in operation in the region, to minimize duplication of approach and give Cluster clear updates on how the two interact in responses.
l) Contribute to the preparation and revision of contingency planning and preparedness processes at regional level.
m) Disseminate, promote the use of and explain the use of strategic tools produced by the cluster (e.g., common needs assessment tools, monitoring tools, ES/NFI strategy, technical guidelines)
n) Identify new partners and share information with them.
o) Manage a contact list of ES/NFI actors working in the region and ensure that their representative at the national level register on Cluster mailing list found on the cluster’s Website.
p) Ensure that an up to date stock list of materials available from agencies in an emergency. (On a Monthly basis) is maintained and report any gap to the Cluster Coordinator
q) Provide inputs and advice to the Information Manager in relation to the needs and requirements of the Regional Cluster, such as maps, processing of assessment information and sharing stocks and 3w’s.
r) Liaise with other Regional ES/NFI Clusters to maximize coverage with support for displaced populations (new influxes, returnees) who move between zones. Ensure clear and consistent communication between regional clusters on any matters pertinent to the relevant clusters.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
No. Responsibilities Actions/Activities Results
1 Lead the Regional Cluster in designing the regional (context specific) plans and in assessing needs and gaps. - Contributing to the Humanitarian Response Plan with key regional context needs and gaps.
- Leading the Regional cluster in designing Reponses that are tailored to meet the needs of the persons of concern in the Region HRP inputs, assessment reports and gap analysis that reflect the actual situation in the Region
2 Call regular meetings as required to discuss regionally adapted targets, debate on challenges, monitor progresses, and detect gaps and overlaps with all relevant cluster members active in their respective areas. -Chairing monthly meetings of the sub-national ES/NFI Cluster
-Taking minutes and tracking action points
-Sharing key points with the National Cluster coordination for information and action -Minutes
-Key Issues raised and acted upon
-Key issues escalated to the National Cluster coordination
3 Encourage timely and accurate reporting by all the cluster members. Ensure that ES/NFI partners in the region are reporting their activities into Report hub platform. -Coordinate to have refresher Report hub trainings done for new partner staff.
-Ensure all partners in the Sub-National Cluster share their reports in a timely and accurate manner
-Verify information and reports received to ensure that we have accurate data of high quality -Improved quality of data received in Report hub
-Increase in the number of partners and activities reported in Report hub
4 Promote good practice within the ES/NFI Cluster, including participatory approaches. -Conduct participatory assessments
-Conduct satisfaction surveys
-Set up feedback and complaints mechanism at the regional level -Participatory assessment reports that will lead to improved Reponses
-Satisfaction indicators to guide areas of improvement in the cluster
-Improved solving of complaints and incorporating of feedback in the responses
5 Liaise with the local IDP Taskforce (or its equivalent), if one is in operation in the region, to minimize duplication of approach and give Cluster clear updates on how the two interact in responses. - Meeting with local authorities and participating in relevant meetings
- Coordinating and updating partners on the responses within the region to avoid duplication
- Acting a liaison between the Sub-National Cluster partners and the relevant Government arms -improved information sharing
-Avoiding wastage of resources that may arise due to duplication
-Enhanced working relationship with the local authorities
No. Responsibilities Actions/Activities Results
6 Contribute to the preparation and revision of contingency planning and preparedness processes at regional level. -Coordination and chair contingency planning meetings at Regional Level.
-Consolidate inputs the Sub National Cluster to the contingency plan Contingency Plans that factor in the regional context
7 Disseminate, promote the use of and explain the use of strategic tools produced by the cluster (e.g., common needs assessment tools, monitoring tools, ES/NFI strategy, technical guidelines, etc.). -Conduct trainings or information sharing sessions of strategic tools produced by the cluster
-Share inputs/comments from the Sub National Cluster members on the cluster strategic tools available
-Ensure representation of Sub National Cluster members in various TWIGS set up for update/development of ES/NFI Cluster Strategic tools
- Ensure responses in the Region are in line with the cluster’s strategic tools A more strategic response that achieves tangible outcomes in line with the Cluster tools and strategy.
8 Identify new partners and share information with them. -Introduce and train new partners
-Ensure due processes of registering new partners are followed
-Capacity build local partners New partners Reponses are in line with the HRP and cluster strategies.
9 Manage a contact list of ES/NFI actors working in the region and ensure that their representative at the national level register on Cluster mailing list found on the cluster’s Website. - Maintain and update a Sub National Cluster member contact list
- Share with the National Cluster coordination updated contact lists regularly for update in the clusters website and relevant platforms
Up to date contact lists of ES/NFI Cluster members
10 Ensure that an up to date stock list of materials available from agencies in an emergency (monthly) is maintained and report any gap to the Cluster Coordinator - Regularly Consolidate stock list of ES/NFI materials with Agencies in the Region
-Share the consolidated stock list with the cluster coordinator monthly
- Raise any gaps to the National Cluster in a timely manner to avoid challenges in the event of an emergency Up to date stock list of materials maintained and gaps reported in a timely manner
11 Provide inputs and advice to the Information Manager in relation to the needs and requirements of the Regional Cluster, such as maps, processing of assessment information and sharing stocks and 3w’s. -Share regular inputs with information managers as and when needed.
-Support in collection of data and information required by information managers Up to date information management products that reflect the actual situation on ground
Qualifications and Experience
(List the required education, work experience, expertise, and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
Undergraduate degree, preferably in shelter-related sciences (e.g., civil engineering or architecture) or other relevant fields including international law, social sciences, political science, or international relations.
b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)
Essential
• Three years of relevant experience in the field of shelter/NFI cluster coordination, inter-agency approach, and humanitarian assistance especially in conflict or post-conflict areas.
• Experience in coordinating responses with specialized international agencies (UN Agencies, International Organizations, and International specialized NGOs) and in complex humanitarian operations, including conflict and post-conflict situations.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experience working in the Provinces in the Region
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies, or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
Functional Skills
MG-Coordination
PR-Cluster Information Management Tools, Resources and Approaches
PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach
ER-Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanisms
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination.
PR-Global Shelter Cluster Strategy
IT-MS Office Applications
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
The management of the advertised openings in this announcement is in line with UNHCR Recruitment and Assignment Policy (RAP).
The vacancies are open to eligible internal and external applicants.
Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and an increasing risk of economic collapse. Forty years of armed conflict, recurrent natural disasters – including droughts and floods, increased poverty, food insecurity, failing healt... Read More
