Shelter Cluster Coordinator Full-Time

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized into four main Business Groups in Geneva, and five Business Groups in the field, namely; Americas (Panama City); Africa (Nairobi); Asia/Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); Middle East and North Africa (Beirut). The Africa Regional Office is organized in Country Cluster Support Teams (CCST) covering the National Societies in Eastern Africa, Indian Ocean Islands and Djibouti, Southern Africa, West Coast, Sahel and Central Africa as well as Country Offices in Sudan, Republic of South Sudan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Niger and Central Africa. The Southern Africa Country Cluster office supports 9 South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Mozambique was hit by two category 4 tropical cyclones (Idai and Kenneth) in one season. Mozambique National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) indicated that 1.5 million people were affected, including more than 140,000 people displaced – many sheltered across 139 evacuation centres, spontaneous settings and makeshift shelters at peak emergency moment. Some 603 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the cyclone, according to the most recent reports issued by INGC. At the same time, more than 1,600 people were injured, and more than 230,000 houses were damaged and destroyed. Tropical Cyclone Idai has also affected Mozambique’s food security and livelihoods in the long term, due to extensive damage to standing crops immediately before the harvest season due in the months of March-April as well as loss of seeds and tools . The entire southern Africa region has been facing the effects of the ongoing El Niño with below-average cumulative rainfall and abnormally high temperatures for the 2018/19 season. The whole southern Africa region has suffered from sustained drought in recent years. Nearly one month later, cyclone Kenneth has hit Northern Mozambique’s coastal province of Cabo Delgado. The cyclone Kenneth has left destructions of houses, standing crops and key installations. The assessment report indicates that over 37,000 houses either have been damaged or destroyed. IFRC has revised Emergency Appeal to assist households affected by cyclone Kenneth. IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal on 19 March for CHF 31 million which was revised on 06 May for CHF 32 million to assist 172,500 people affected by cyclones Idain and Kenneth for 24 months. The Emergency Appeal operation focuses on shelter, livelihoods and basic needs, health, WATSAN, protection, gender and Inclusion and Disaster Risk Reduction and national society capacity strengthening in emergency.

Job Purpose

The Mozambiquan Red Cross- Cruz Vermelha de Mozambique (CVM) is leading the Shelter Cluster preparedness in collaboration with IOM. Immediately after cyclone Idai struck the country IFRC supported the CVM to set up Shelter Cluster Coordination with IOM taking a co-lead function.

As of June 2019 IFRC has a full coordination team based in Beira (Sofala province), the most affected area, with a hub-Coordinator, a Technical Coordinator, a Roaming Coordinator covering Manica province and an Information Manager. A national Shelter Cluster Coordinator is liking the sub-national level to the national level in Maputo. The hub in Pemba, Cabo Delgado is staffed by a coordinator and an IM from IOM.

The Mozambique National Shelter Cluster Coordinator, in support of the mandate of the IFRC as convener of the Shelter Cluster and in close cooperation with the respective national authorities, will lead the coordination efforts of Shelter Cluster to deliver an effective and adequate shelter response and to prevent and reduce the shelter-related vulnerabilities of the affected communities. The National Shelter Cluster Coordinator, will work with relevant government actors, the National Society and other Movement partners, NGOs, and other relevant actors to deliver on the Shelter and Settlements response strategy, to build on existing practices and guidelines as well as community capacities, with a focus towards quality and accountability to beneficiaries. Particular attention should be given to strategic direction and advocacy in support of affected communities. The National Shelter Cluster Coordinator will liaise closely with the governments newly appointed “Gabinete de Reconstrucao pos Cyclon” and other strategic partners and lead the SC Coordination Team in the transition process of emergency shelter coordination to longer term housing recovery efforts as set out in the Disaster Recovery Framework.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The National Shelter Cluster Coordinator will be responsible for the following tasks:

• To nsure engagement of and coordination with key partners, relevant government authorities, other clusters, humanitarian NGOs, UN agencies and the UN resident/humanitarian coordinator. Lead Shelter Cluster partners through a process of strategy development to guide response and recovery for the shelter sector and ensure all key actors engage in consensual decision-making;
• To lead high level engagement at national level with government, UN, NGOs, donors, diplomatic missions, and longer-term development institutions, such as the World Bank to advocate on behalf of the sector about strategy principals, unmet needs, funding requirements, response and recovery options, inter alia;
• To lead the compilation of appeal/Humanitarian Response Plan and serve as a direct liaison with the donor community and supports fundraising initiatives on behalf of the Shelter Cluster;
• To ensure the establishment and maintenance of appropriate coordination mechanism, including the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) and Technical Working Groups (TWiGS) at the required level, to shelter agencies present in country;
• To develop and oversee the capacity enhancement on coordination of the shelter staff and volunteers (National Society, IFRC, Shelter Cluster partners / Government; as relevant for the role), through training, on-the-job coaching and/or mentoring;
• To lead the development of humanitarian advocacy strategies in consultation with the cluster leadership team to convey complex concepts and plans in an engaging, clear and concise manner, appropriate to the respective audience. Including advocacy tools for media engagement to raise awareness of humanitarian shelter issues (including but not limited to specific sectoral needs and funding requirements);
• High level communication and representation of the strategic positions of the shelter cluster or sector to the news media;
• To develop integrated strategies based on consolidated analysis, considering complex trends and gaps to inform operational decisions. Advocate for and design integrated operational strategies in conjunction with government representatives and considering partners’ respective capacities/roles, to address gaps and shortfalls in essential services;
• To define and communicate strategic directions for emergency operations and ensures the alignment of all workplans. Adapts strategic direction due to changing needs and contexts and oversees overall delivery;
• To ensure that the shelter response is guided by relevant policy guidelines and technical standards;
• To develop a strategy and oversee the Shelter Cluster transition from the emergency to recovery phase to the longer-term reconstruction efforts and liaise with the respective government body and agencies to ensure the smooth handover;
• To create a positive collaborative environment where roles are clearly defined, feedback and open communication is encouraged, and the goals of the operation are clear within the team and with wider stakeholders. Decide upon and deliver key messages to a range of audiences to influence for the benefit of the operation. Influence others through skilful negotiation at the strategic level;
• To guide team members in problem solving and decision-making. Empowers others to make decisions when appropriate. Manages team members compliance with security regulations and takes appropriate action;
• To maintains stability and forward momentum that positively influences operations and teams.

Education

• University degree or proven Coordination and management specific experience;
• Humanitarian Shelter Coordination Training;
• Basic Delegate Training Course or IMPACT. FACT, ERU or RDRT Training;
• Stay Safe – Personal security online training.

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience working in Shelter and Settlements with operations and coordination experience;
• Ability to independently deliver a range of Shelter and Settlements operational and coordination / representation and advocacy roles within a Surge response;
• Experience in working within complex responses with sector independence within a larger response team;
• Experience of internal Red Cross Movement and External Stakeholder relationships;
• Experience in emergency response with early recovery / recovery transition planning;
• Red Cross and Red Crescent experience.

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Knowledge of humanitarian affairs;
• Strong spoken and written English including proven experience in drafting Plans of Action /Strategies;
• Self-supporting in IT;
• Comfortable working and communicating with National Societies in a diverse environment;
• Ability to negotiate with varying external stakeholders and partners;
• Ability to multi task and work under pressure;
• Analytical skills;
• Strong command/ highly proficient in spoken and written English;
• Good command of Portuguese.

Competencies and values

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.