Position Title : ShelterCoordinator
Project Title : Shelter Research Unit
Status : starting up/ ongoing/ finalization starting up
Organisation : Netherlands RC / BeNeLux RC Societies
Location/ Country of assignment : Luxembourg
Time period : 10 months extendable
Starting Date : 1st August 2010
Closing date Applications : 15th July 2010
Interview Date : 22nd/23rd July via Skype

Context

  Description of the context/ background of the position

A wide range of disasters and conflicts has continued to constitute an important challenge for actors involved in shelter operations. A complex mix of global challenges could threaten even more forced displacement in the future, including new conflict-related emergencies, climate-induced environmental degradation and an increasing number of natural disasters.

Moreover, the vulnerability of populations has continued to increase in many parts of the world over the last decades due to the impact of climate change, growing urbanisation - particularly through informal settlement - and the social and economic marginalisation prevalent in many communities.

Confronted with these challenges and its convenor role in the shelter cluster, the International

Federation has taken measures to scale up its sheltering activities in terms of both quality and quantity. In close cooperation with the Shelter Department of the Secretariat in Geneva, the BeNeLux Red Cross Societies plan to set up a physical research centre responsible for the development of innovative shelter solutions as well as the gathering and sharing of existing shelter resources and practices.

  The key reasoning behind the Shelter Research Unit is that if humanitarian agencies, universities and corporate research units in- and outside the EU join forces, significant improvements can be made to current shelter solutions. More in particular,
• Local shelter solutions could be enhanced by cost-effective, durable external inputs ;
• Smart solutions to building and connecting frames could reduce the time spent between living in emergency and transitional shelter, and make structures more flexible ;
• In cold climates, shelter solutions cannot do without insulation and heating ;
• In generally sunny areas, ways and means to generate electricity to charge mobile phones and provide some lighting in a cost-effective way, should be researched as quickly as possible ;
• Structural elements used in emergency shelter should be designed in order to become the basis of transitional shelter

Purpose of the position

The Shelter Coordinator will manage and implement the initial start up phase of the Shelter Research Unit in Luxemburg in order to ensure its continued existence.

Position in the organisation

The Shelter Coordinator will be directed by and will report to the Shelter Research Unit Governing Board. The Governing Board is formed by members of the BeNeLux Red Cross Societies (The Netherlands Red Cross, The Luxembourg Red Cross, The Belgian Red Cross - Flanders and The Belgian Red Cross - French-speaking)

Specific duties and accountabilities
-Please find the details in the attached document-

Requirements

Education :
Relevant university degree or equivalent qualification in structural/civil engineering, architecture, construction management or related field
Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge, preferred

Experience :
- Experience of managing and supporting staff, skills transfer and capacity building
- 3 years experience minimum implementing and coordinating humanitarian shelter projects
- Experience with managing budgets
- Understanding of the current standards and guidelines in the Humanitarian shelter sector
- Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response - in particular Sphere - strongly preferred
- Acquainted with International Federation policies, procedures and systems, preferred
- Red Cross experience preferred

Skills :
- Excellent communication skills
- Good political and networking skills
- Good analytical skills and solution focused person
- Skills in training and developing staff
- Demonstrable accountability
- Excellent stress management skills
- Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, email, etc.)
- Valid international driving license (manual gears)

Languages :
- Fluent in English - most communications and reporting to be produced in English
- Fluency in French - very preferable
- Knowledge of other languages - preferred

Competencies :
Leadership
Integrity
Strategic results orientation
Managerial effectiveness
Developing Organisation capabilities
Collaboration and influencing

Les lettres de motivations avec CV doivent être adressées à sollicitaties@redcross.nl