Shelter/WASH Advisor (interim)

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

DRC has been operating in Greece since December 2015, providing support to the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy in ensuring dignified reception conditions for refugees and migrants arriving on Lesvos island. In March 2016, DRC expanded its operations in Athens, in response to the changing context and the build-up of refugee population on mainland Greece.

Purpose

Under direct line management of the Head of Programs and in close collaboration with other DRC field Shelter/WASH, Site Operations staff and procurement departments, the Shelter/WASH Advisor will primarily be responsible for developing a harmonized, yet flexible, in all aspects (activities, implementation modalities, HR, M&E) and to mainstream protection in Shelter & WASH program across county.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities: 

• Program quality and standardization of infrastructure and C&M procedures across all sub-offices;
• Mapping and harmonization of Site Ops and Shelter/WASH tools and activities;
• Review of all the existing Purchase Agreements serving the above activities from a technical, accountability, transparent and compliant point of view;
• Preparation of activity briefs as best-practice templates;
• Drafting of accurate & concise, yet flexible, technical annexes to depict the needs of all the different DRC Sites; and
• Drafting of harmonized job descriptions for technical staff;
• Establishment of technically solid and cost-effective C&M purchase agreements;
• Upon assignment from the Head of Programs or relevant request from the Area Manager the Shelter/WASH Advisor can undertake the role of the project manager in any crucial infrastructure project in terms of financial or reputational risk for DRC;
• In coordination with the Head of Programs and the Area Manager the Shelter/WASH Advisor can be assigned to perform/prepare any step of a construction or C&M project. Namely, preparation of budget proposal, work plans, sites plans, preliminary studies, technical tender documents, construction supervision, budget handling and project closures;
• Collection and sharing with relevant stakeholders, GoG, and donors of infrastructure data and drawings of all Sites where DRC Greece is the SMS actor;
• Recruitment of Site Operations Officers, Coordinators, Specialists and other technical staff;
• Field visits and observations for challenges and best practices in place;
• Participation in Tender Opening Committees;
• Coordination, collaboration and reporting to donors;
• Collaboration and establishment of communication channels with the MoAM, RIS and other GoG stakeholders;
• Adjust DRC activities regarding infrastructure and C&M works to the Greek construction environment and legal framework; and
• Appropriate delegation & coordination of the above with the relevant Sub-Offices based staff.

Supervision, monitoring and coordination

• In close collaboration with the Head of Programs, the Shelter/WASH Advisor represents DRC in meetings with stakeholders (Site Managers, MoMA, donors, Working Groups, NGO partners etc.), related to technical issues in all areas where DRC is the SMS actor.
• Act as the connecting link between field teams, the Site Operations Specialist per area, ensuring harmonization among DRC sites, compliance with standard operating procedures and upon-agreed tools/mechanisms and providing inputs and suggestions for the improvement of tools and policies respectively
• Take the initiative and ensure coordination among different technical teams on a site level and between Site Operations teams
• Support respectful and positive working relationships, which allow for the effective implementation of all activities. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building, day-to-day support, and capacity-building

Reporting and Budget monitoring

• Supports the Head of Programs and Area Managers with inputs in all relevant internal and external reporting
• Supports Head of Programs and Area Managers with budget overseeing and expense planning
• Any other tasks assigned by the Head of Programs to support DRC’s activities, including relevant administrative tasks (e.g. site utilities, official communications with public authorities)

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of proven experience in construction permits issuing
• Minimum 10 years of proven experience as an Engineer on medium to large scale infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in working and drafting Work Contracts terms and technical annexes.
• Strong computer skills. AutoCAD and MS Office experience is required
• Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered as an advantage
• High professional ethics
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and a genuine collaboration spirit
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed
• Ability to cope with high workload stress, identify priority activities and adjust priorities as required
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills is a must
• University degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Architectural or Civil Engineering
• Strong verbal and written English and Greek language skills. Must be able to read and write technical documents in both Greek and English
• Having a TEE/EETEM certificate is a requirement

Required Skills & Qualities

• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed.
• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required.
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills is a must, and a good sense of humor

Core Competencies of DRC:

• Striving for excellence
• Collaboration
• Taking the lead
• Communication
• Demonstrating Integrity

Terms & Conditions

The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)

All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)

DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.

The position will be based in Athens (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 3rd of March 2021. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.