Myanmar: Cluster Coordinator (Shelter & CCCM)

BACKGROUND

The humanitarian operation in Myanmar expanded dramatically in 2012 and 2013 with a situation that led to a level 2 emergency in Rakhine State and a protracted IDP situation in Kachin State. Both contexts remain protracted and UNHCR continues to lead the Shelter, Non-Food Item (NFI) and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster in 200 sites hosting more than 200,000 internally displaced persons across Rakhine, Kachin and Northern Shan States. The Cluster Coordinator (Shelter & CCCM) is based in Yangon and is required to oversee and coordinate these three humanitarian sectors through the interagency cluster approach in these two complex and very different contexts. Beyond the humanitarian response efforts to allow the displaced to feel a sense of dignity, achieve self-reliance, rebuild their lives and achieve solutions remains the priority.

The UNHCR Shelter, NFI and CCCM Lead Agency functions, embodied in the role of Cluster Coordinator (Shelter & CCCM) are critical in ensuring UNHCR’s leadership within a diverse humanitarian community. The Cluster Coordinator (Shelter & CCCM) is expected to perform UNHCR's lead role in the Shelter, NFI and CCCM Cluster and to represent impartially the interests of the members of this Cluster. As a result, the Cluster Coordinator (Shelter & CCCM) collaborates in leading an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The challenging nature of the displacement in both states, notably Rakhine, means this particular Cluster must have a strong protection mind-set. In practice this requires an understanding of how the provision of shelter and CCCM activities relates to wider IDP rights and statelessness/lack of citizenship issues, and efforts to achieve durable solutions. Close collaboration with the UNHCR led Protection Sector is critical.

The incumbent works closely with and/or directly supervises a multi-functional Cluster Support team, including, but not limited to, the areas of information management, needs assessment, technical support, shelter recovery, CCCM, reporting and advocacy. The Cluster Coordinator (Shelter & CCCM) will be expected to support the management and supervision of both sub-national Cluster Coordinators based in the field, one in Rakhine and the other Kachin plus their respective field-based colleagues. The role requires regular missions to both field duty stations.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Accountability

• The shelter/NFI/CCCM needs of populations of concern are met through timely, appropriate, and coordinated action by all Cluster members.

• Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are established and maintained with Cluster members, government counterparts and donors, ensuring timely and effective needs assessment, appropriate planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.

• Where appropriate, these mechanisms build up and reinforce existing national coordination mechanisms and build capacity.

• UNHCR performs its Emergency Shelter Cluster and CCCM Cluster co-Lead Agency functions in a manner consistent with IASC standards and guidelines governing the Cluster Approach, in particular the IASC Generic Terms of Reference for Cluster Coordinators at the country level and the IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at the Country Level.

Responsibility

Strategic Direction and Coordination

• Support the development of shelter and CCCM strategies in a consultative process with Cluster partners including the local and national government and ensure that the shelter/CCCM response is driven by this solutions focused strategy.

• Collaborate in ensuring that these strategies are integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team’s common humanitarian action plan.

• Provide coordination services, including meetings, in line with the principles of partnership, ensuring that cluster coordination is inclusive, consultative and results-oriented.

• Support coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.

• Contribute to the contingency planning and emergency preparedness measures are updated and developed.

• Support the update as appropriate the shelter and CCCM strategies: ensure proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and early recovery and development efforts. Ensure that appropriate transitional measures are in place for handing over to recovery and development actors.

• Promote that issues related to housing land and property (HLP) rights are appropriately taken into consideration in the strategy.

• Promote the establishment and maintenance of the cluster structure including the cluster core documents as defined by the Global Shelter and Global CCCM Clusters: including Strategy, Technical Standards, and Factsheets.

Needs Assessment, Resources Mobilization and Allocation

• Support, coordinate and conduct within the Shelter/CCCM Cluster or at Inter-Cluster/Sector level shelter needs and CCCM assessments, including participatory assessments.

• Promote that the Shelter/CCCM Cluster covers all identified shelter and multi-sectorial CCCM needs of the affected population and not only those relating to the specific mandate of individual members of the Cluster.

• Provide transparent strategic direction to the development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.

• Support the establishment of mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the Cluster.

Capacity Development

• Coordinate the delivery of shelter/CCCM training activities for Shelter/CCCM Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.

• Coordinate initiatives to build the shelter and CCCM capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.

Standard Setting and Implementation

• Promote that the shelter, NFI and CCCM response is informed by appropriate relevant Technical Standards including among others Sphere, and good practice.

• Promote appropriate collaboration with response-related clusters or sectors of Early Recovery, Education, Health, Protection and WaSH in the work of the Shelter/CCCM Cluster.

• Coordinate the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Cluster, including age, gender, environment, diversity.

• Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global shelter and global CCCM policies and standards led by the Global Shelter and Global CCCM Clusters.

Information Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Provide the necessary support so that the Shelter/CCCM Cluster has a functional information management strategy and mechanism to report and share information within the Cluster, with the other clusters, with the government, with the overall humanitarian community including donors, with UNHCR internal mechanisms, and with the Global Shelter and Global CCCM Clusters.

• Ensure that the Cluster produces analytical shelter reports, including factsheets; promote that information collected on affected populations is dissagregated by sex and age.

• Ensure that the Cluster maintains an updated website and produces regular updates on the shelter/NFI/CCCM concerns of the affected population, the response by the shelter/NFI and CCCM actors, the gaps, challenges and recommendations.

• Promote monitoring and evaluation of the impact of operations carried out by Cluster members and the performance of the coordination team.

• Appraise the performance of any directly supervised personnel of the Cluster coordination team and play an integral role in identifying and recruiting new sub-national Coordinators when needed

Advocacy and Promotion

• Support the identification of core advocacy concerns for the Shelter/CCCM Cluster through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.

• Support a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and policies for the adequate provision of shelter, NFI and CCCM.

• Ensure the Cluster’s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team.

Authority

• Represent the Shelter/CCCM Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.

• Co-chair Cluster meetings with the relevant Government counterpart as appropriate.

• Issue reports and make advocacy statements on behalf of the Shelter/CCCM Cluster.

• Upon consultations with Cluster members, take final decision over format and frequency of meetings, designation of focal points and the establishment of a strategic advisory group, sub-national clusters, technical working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.

• Implement decisions on indicators to measure impact and performance of Cluster members.

• Negotiate with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and Cluster members the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.

• Direct transparent and accountable financial and other resource allocation within the Shelter/CCCM Cluster, when required, such as with regard to CERF or the MHF (Myanmar Humanitarian Fund).

QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED

Academic:

University degree preferably but not essential in shelter-related sciences (e.g. civil or architecture engineering)

Experience and skills:

· At least 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree) of relevant experience in different international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, Donors, Red Cross Red Crescent). Work experience in the Region would be an advantage.

· Excellent leadership, coordination, and representation skills. Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills. Excellent 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, NFI and CCCM.

· Previous exposure to humanitarian coordination mechanisms, ideally exposure to the cluster approach, preferably both at global policy and field level.

· Extensive knowledge of current humanitarian issues and experience of delivering successfully solutions for IDPs

· Good knowledge of shelter, NFI and CCCM-related technical guidelines and standards.

• Excellent knowledge of English.

Core Competencies:

· Empowering and Building Trust

· Judgement and Decision Making

· Strategic Planning and Vision

· Leadership

· Managing Resources

· Analytical Thinking

· Planning and Organizing

· Political Awareness

· Stakeholder Management

Languages: Fluency in English is essential.

DESIRABLE

• Training on Cluster Coordination (Shelter Cluster Coordination training or Coordination and Leadership training).

• UNHCR Coordination Learning Programme.

• CCCM Training.

• UNHCR Management Learning Programme.

• UNHCR Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.

• UNHCR Workshop on Emergency Management.

• Applied knowledge in UNHCR's protection mandate, its policies and priorities in relation to IDPs, shelter/NFI and CCCM.

• UNHCR Protection Learning Programme.

• Demonstrated expertise in program management and reporting requirements.

• Knowledge of Cluster information management tools, resources and approaches.

• Knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

START DATE & DURATION

ASAP for 6 months with an initial three month probation period.

Please send your CV and P11 with cover letter by e-mail to HQShelter@unhcr.org, including the name and location of the job in the title of the e-mail. Applications must be received no later than 16.08.2017. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.