UNOPS Senior Shelter Assistant

Deadline for Applications

July 8, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date

2026-08-01

Terms of Reference

Title: UNOPS Senior Shelter Assistant

Project: “Strengthen social cohesion, prevent violence, and reduce the

risks of recruitment of children, adolescents, and youth

through a combined community–institutional–binational

strategy.”

Duty station: Quito, Ecuador

Section/Unit: UNHCR Protection Unit

Contract/Level: Local Support, LICA 5

Duration: From 03 August – 31 December 2026

Supervisor: Protection Officer, CO, UNHCR Ecuador

1. General Background

Ecuador remains at the center of regional displacement movements as a host, transit, and increasingly origin country for people forced to flee. While the country continues to uphold a functioning asylum system and a robust legal framework for international protection, refugees and migrants face growing challenges linked to increasing insecurity, limited regularization opportunities, economic vulnerability, and reduced access to services. Simultaneously, Ecuador is confronting an unprecedented security crisis associated with organized crime, extortion, and territorial disputes among criminal groups, particularly along the coast. These dynamics disproportionately affect forcibly displaced populations and host communities, making provinces such as Guayas key priorities for protection and solutions-oriented interventions.

UNHCR in Ecuador aims to deliver protection, assistance, and solutions to diverse displaced populations, including asylum-seekers and refugees, in close collaboration with national authorities, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. The operation is coordinated through the Country Office in Quito and supported by Field Offices in Guayaquil and Tulcan, as well as Field Units in Esmeraldas, Manta, and Lago Agrio.

Since 2023, increasing insecurity across Ecuador has had significant social and economic impacts on refugees, migrants, and host communities alike, undermining protection and inclusion efforts. The expansion of organized criminal groups, rising homicide rates, and increasing extortion have restricted access to services and undermined social cohesion, particularly in border areas and communities facing heightened vulnerabilities. In this context, children and women are at particular risk of violence and recruitment.

Access to legal protection remains a major concern. Although Ecuador maintains a functioning asylum system, increasing numbers of arrivals and asylum applications continue to strain institutional capacity, creating delays in access to protection procedures. Many displaced people, particularly Venezuelans, remain undocumented or face irregular status following the closure of regularization pathways, limiting access to employment, public services, and fundamental rights.

Against this backdrop, operational priorities include strengthening institutional capacity to ensure timely access to asylum and legal protection services; reinforcing community-based protection to prevent violence, forced recruitment, and gender-based violence; expanding access to sustainable livelihoods and socioeconomic inclusion, particularly for youth; and supporting local authorities and service providers to respond effectively to growing protection needs. These efforts aim to strengthen resilience, promote social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, and contribute to durable protection outcomes in one of Ecuador’s most strategically important operational contexts.

Emergency shelters and humanitarian infrastructure are vital for providing life-saving support to forcibly displaced people, offering safety, stability, and a foundation for rebuilding their lives. In Ecuador, UNHCR addresses both immediate and long-term shelter needs through a network of shelters and safe houses in key locations.

UNHCR strengthens shelter services by delivering capacity-building workshops for shelter managers and staff, introducing a new methodology that responds to Ecuador’s worsening security situation. Training focuses on security, case management, and protection services to support vulnerable groups, including survivors of gender-based violence and unaccompanied children. UNHCR will also assess partner shelters to identify improvements in infrastructure and management, ensuring safe, welcoming, and resilient environments.

In 2026, UNHCR will continue supporting a reduced number of strategic shelters, including those managed by partners, while prioritizing coordination and strengthening of the national shelter network. This network serves refugees, asylum-seekers, and people internally displaced by violence. UNHCR will expand its technical and coordination capacity, provide guidance on safe and sustainable infrastructure, and work closely with women’s shelters and safe houses to ensure access to case management, referral pathways, and protection services. Through sustained technical support and capacity-building, UNHCR aims to strengthen a more integrated, professional, and protective shelter system that can effectively respond to evolving displacement needs.

The Senior Shelter Assistant assists in carrying out comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as protection and programme.

The incumbent assists the supervisor in ensuring that shelter & infrastructure responses within the AoR evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from sustainable local building practices and materials. S/he provides technical assistance in general infrastructure and construction implementation and monitoring.

Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis of residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should always minimize the risk of harm, eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions. Special attention must be given to the environment and low carbon approaches, attention to material selection through sustainable means to ensure a green approach to shelter delivery.

The attached Vacancy Announcement is issued to hire a Senior Shelter Assistant for the KOICA Project.

5. Submission of applications

A. English Desirable. Level intermediate.

B. Shortlisted candidates may sit a technical test.

C. Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country.

D. If recommended, the candidate must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry and a voluntary contribution certificate to the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security IESS. Voluntary IESS securities will be covered by the staff member. The salary offered is in net terms.

E. If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your application according to the following instructions:

 CANDIDATES WITH ACCESS TO THE WORKDAY: In order to apply, you must first create your profile in the WORKDAY system.

 EXTERNAL CANIDATES: Candidates who do NOT have access to the WORKDAY system should submit their application through UNHCR's official site for applications:

https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html

WHEN CREATING A CANDIDATE PROFILE IN WORKDAY, PLEASE USE CAPSLOCKS FOR LAST NAME AND NO SPECIAL CHARACTERS (Ñ OR ACCENTS)

CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED.

NOTE

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Standard Job Description

Senior Shelter Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Shelter Assistant assists in carrying out comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, public health, WASH, administration and supply. To ensure the most effective response, both quantitative and qualitative data should be gathered on the profile/needs and living conditions of both the displaced population and host community. The incumbent will assist in the day to-day operations of all construction and general infrastructure projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
The incumbent assists the supervisor in ensuring that shelter & infrastructure responses within the AoR evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from sustainable local building practices and materials. S/he provides technical assistance in general infrastructure and construction implementation and monitoring.
Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis of residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should always minimize the risk of harm, eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions. Special attention must be given to the environment and low carbon approaches, attention to material selection through sustainable means to ensure a green approach to shelter delivery.
The Senior Shelter Assistant normally reports to a more senior shelter colleague.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
Technical Guidance
- Assist in the preparation, data collection and review of shelter needs assessments while liaising with other relevant sectors such as protection, programme, community services, WASH, administration and supply.
- Work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shelter beneficiary selection process prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable Persons of Concern (PoC).
- Assist in the daily management of all UNHCR construction and infrastructure projects through Direct Implementation and Implementing Partners within the AoR ensuring that works are carried out in compliance with established UNHCR and national standards.
- Follow up of the design and construction of infrastructure (schools, health centres, reception centres, drainage and roadworks etc) to confirm these are approved by the relevant authorities, technically sound, supplemented with accurate drawings, detailed BQs and specifications and they are implemented according to plans, completed within designated timelines, budget and ensure that this information is shared with relevant colleagues.
- Work closely with other relevant sectors such as WASH, education and health so that shelter and infrastructure implementation is synchronised and coordinated.
- Assist implementing partners on technical shelter and infrastructure issues.
Coordination
- Provide technical assistance in the field of shelter, construction and infrastructure development within the AoR to best meet the needs of PoC.
- Work with the government, relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination of shelter and infrastructure projects within the AoR.
- Collaboration
- Actively work with Programme as a member of the Multi-Functional Team and participate in multi-sectoral activities to ensure protection and assistance needs of the population are met.
- Assist in the preparation of bid documents for all construction and infrastructure projects including technical specifications, BoQs, drawings, etc.
- Assist in the technical evaluation of received bids as well as in the review/inspection of the quality of shelter and infrastructure products/works during implementation and at completion.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
Civil Engineering; Architecture;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Relevant working experience, including collaboration with different international organizations. Good technical knowledge about construction standards and guidance, particularly knowledge on all shelter typologies utilized in UNHCR refugee responses.
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR shelter standards, as well as standards related to protection, environment and land use. Good knowledge of Auto Cad, site surveying and experience in undertaking related topography assessments/ feasibility studies for site identification and environmental impact studies whilst using surveying tools (including GPS equipment, GIS software).
Functional Skills
SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning
SP-Topographic Surveying
IT-Computer Literacy
WA-WASH-related Technologies
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning, SP-Topographic Surveying, WA-WASH-related Technologies

Education

Certifications

Architecture - Other, Civil Engineering - Other

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No