Durable Housing Specialist

Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

The UNHCR has been working in Ukraine for almost 25 years, mainly with refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as in the area of statelessness prevention and reduction. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2014, UNHCR has been assisting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and responding to the humanitarian situation in the east of the country together with other actors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in data collection and analysis for shelter needs assessments, collaborating with relevant sectors (protection, WASH, education, health, etc.).

• Support the selection process of shelter beneficiaries, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups.

• Oversee daily implementation of UNHCR construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with standards, timelines, and budget.

• Provide technical support to implementing partners on shelter and infrastructure issues.

• Assist in the preparation of tender documents, technical evaluation of bids, and quality control of completed works.

• Coordinate with other sectors to ensure integrated and synchronized shelter solutions.

• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements for candidates:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Architecture, engineering, construction or related area
• Essential: Versatile in the use of word processing and spreadsheet applications; ability to prepare schedules/bills of quantities and estimate costs. 
• Good technical knowledge of construction standards and guidance.
• Desirable: Knowledge of computer graphics, AutoCAD. Capacity to work with multi-sectoral teams to ensure that relevant issues related to the site/settlements planning are taken into consideration, such as the development/maintenance of various infrastructures required.
• Ukrainian (Fluent Required)
• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

This position comes with the following benefits and entitlements for UN Volunteers (National UN Volunteer Specialist):

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1587 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
• Annual leave: 30 days
• Certified sick leave: 30 days annually
• Uncertified sick leave: 7 days annually
• Learning leave: 10 days annually

To apply for a vacancy, please first register on the UN Volunteers platform https://app.unv.org/ ; and send an application using this link: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1784888021259581

The final date to apply is the 6th of April inclusive.