Shelter Technical Assistant Afghanistan Zabul

Purpose of the Job

Under the direct supervision of the Education Project Manager and indirectly under the Education Shelter Project Manager (for technical objectives), the Shelter Technical Assistant is working for the Support to Formal Education (FE) component of Education CC. The position is mainly technical and, as such the Shelter Technical Assistant is in charge of the analysis of the rehabilitation/construction needs and ensures its implementation with the project participants. S/he is the technical referent of the rehabilitation/ construction activities of the FE component. He/she will therefore have to benefit from some expertise in the field of rehabilitation/ construction of school buildings and latrines.

You can read more about this position at Job Description & NRC Grade Structure

Generic responsibilities

• Adhere to NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines
• Assist a range of support with the implementation of the CC portfolio according to plan of action
• Implements independently procedures and activities within own function or core competency as delegated
• Responsible for organizing and delivery of tasks in line with priorities and standards
• Develop and maintain knowledge of the specialist area of work in which technical assistance and support is being provided, in order to be most effective in supporting the team
• Use initiative in day-to-day problem solving in line with agreed procedures, priorities and standards for the area of work
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management
• Ensure proper filing of documents 
• Promote and share ideas for improvement in your area of expertise

Specific responsibilities

Technical

• Participate in the sectorial assessments in order to analyse the needs and possible intervention towards the schools under FE component.
• In line with the Shelter Core Competency, provide advice on shelter (school and latrines) designs and construction materials to ensure safety and durability of the shelters and make detailed estimations for the rehabilitation/ construction of schools/latrines.
• Support IP in preparation of technical packages including the design, bill of quantities, and scope of work according to National/International construction norms.
• Coordinate and collaborate with implementing partners and other NRC departments, for the analysis and definition of technical needs.
• Review and verification of IP Instalment expenses reports.
• Advise the Education PM and the IP staff in the precise definition of rehabilitation and/or construction needs and on technical specifications of construction materials contributed by NRC.
• Analyse the capacities of implementing partners and local communities for their participation in the rehabilitation/construction of classrooms, latrines, and other School Improvement Plan (SIP) activities within the schools.
• Provide advice and training to IP education staff and project participants on construction process.
• Identify humanitarian organizations and community leaders on the field for possible rehabilitation/construction intervention.

Community Involvement

• Support IPs in mobilization of local populations and project participants to potentially be involved in the implementation of SIP activities in order to ensure ownership of the project by these communities.
• Work closely with IP education team and community members to accurately control the quality and quantity of materials needed at the intervention sites,
• Visit all construction or rehabilitation activities to ensure that works are carried out to a high quality and in accordance with NRC shelter designs.

Monitoring of rehabilitation/construction activities

• Monitor rehabilitation and/or construction projects in progress according to the plans and specifications made beforehand:
• All program data are accurately collected and reported.
• The quality and quantity of construction material that is distributed to individual beneficiary families is correct and according to the delivery plan.
• The shelter construction up to completion and occupancy respects the activity plan.
• Prepare regular reports on the progress of rehabilitation/construction work within the schools.
• To hold weekly meetings on the progress of rehabilitation/construction activities and on the forecasts for the following week (activities, human resources, materials, transport, difficulties encountered, etc.).
• Ensure the proper implementation of SIP activities by following the SIP and Cash-Grant SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with the specifications and the quality of rehabilitation/construction and, if necessary, carry out regular checks on the various activities in progress (gaps and difficulties must be documented and explained in a specific monthly report).

Support to implementing partners’ staff

• Ensure regular feedback to the implementing partner staff on the population movements that affect the workforce in the targeted schools and, regularly check with the IP and NRC staff on the relevance of an intervention in rehabilitation.
• Check the presence of children integrated in the schools covered by the SIP activities and share the information with NRC Education CC (particularly the verification between the needs and the sizing planned for rehabilitation/construction).
• With the IP staff, support the various awareness sessions related to the use of the tools and other materials (themes: local participation in the rehabilitation of schools, hygiene and good practices, maintenance of works, etc.).

Assessment, writing of reports and documentation

• As mentioned in the “Monitoring of Activities” section, prepare regular reports on the follow-up of rehabilitation/construction of the interventions.
• Communicate in the monitoring reports the volume of community participation in SIP activities.

Other duties related to the position

• Participate in relevant seminars and training workshops for the achievement of assessment activities and the achievement of the SIP objectives.
• Use all equipment provided by NRC with the utmost caution.
• Ensure any other tasks reasonably associated with and assigned by the line manager.

Generic professional competencies: 

• Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Construction, Designing, Survey) or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of working experience in education programs of school construction with INGOs, UN Agencies and International implementing partners in humanitarian context.
• Previous experience of working in a complex and volatile Logistic context.
• Experience supervision of field site construction.
• Experience working in emergency settings.
• Good written and spoken Pashto, Dari, and English.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of the area of intervention.
• Experience working with IDPs refugee’s situations.
• Experience working with local and community authorities, MoE officials in central and non-central levels.
• Experience working in the field with low-income communities and dealing with community mobilization.
• Working hard education/construction is an asset.
• Ability to provide quality work under pressure.
• Creativity and willingness to try new things.
• A positive and collaborative attitude and willingness to work in a team.
• A willingness to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Behavioral competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Handling insecure environment
• Empowering and building trust

We Offer

• Monthly Salary based on NRC Afghanistan Salary Scale.
• Mobile Phone with Top up Credit card.
• NRC will cover staff plus four (4) depended for medical insurance.
• Pension Allowances on monthly basis.

Leave and Holidays according to Afghanistan Labor Law.

At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.