We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and money. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.
The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) on Sint Maarten has opened a vacancy for two Junior Delegates Roof Repair, to strengthen the Sint Maarten team and to support the implementation of phase 2 of the roof repair project.
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Position title: Junior Delegate Roof Repair
Duty station: Sint Maarten
Time period: 4 – 6 months
Starting Date: As soon as possible, when the Covid-19 lock down measures on Sint Maarten are lifted and worldwide travel is allowed
Status: Unaccompanied posting
Purpose of the position
The Junior Delegates Roof Repair are expected to support and actively participate in the implementation of the second phase of the Roof Repair Project. Implementation started in December 2019 and is expected to last for one year. The Junior Delegates will work among other things on developing and finetuning the assessment tool, beneficiary selection, technically assessing the eligibility of houses, provide on-site technical advice and evaluate the repairs. The Junior Delegates will work within the communities and will actively engage with (possible) beneficiaries, together with community mobilizers.
Background
On September 6th, 2017 hurricane Irma, category 5, struck the island of Sint Maarten. Irma had a devastating impact on the island. Many buildings suffered extensive damage, leaving large parts of the population without a safe roof to live under. Following the devastating impact of hurricane IRMA, NLRC started to organize relief efforts, focusing on food and water distribution, as well as other distribution of non-food items. A team of approx. 70 people (volunteers and paid staff) has coordinated Red Cross efforts in the areas of WASH, Restoring Family Links, health, shelter, food, mapping of the most vulnerable area’s and conducting assessments. Early recovery focused on cash based assistance, home repair and school meal projects. Long term recovery will focus on three main pillars in 1) Safe & Healthy living, 2) Economic security, 3) Disaster risk reduction & response preparedness. According to the NLRC strategy the recovery program will focus on increasing the resilience of beneficiaries and focus on building back better to avoid or reduce future disaster impacts. This approach takes into account the adaptation to climate change and climate variability. Increased resilience focuses on the building blocks of increased capacity of people to anticipate, adapt, respond and transform.
As part of the early recovery efforts, the Netherlands Red Cross, in close cooperation with the authorities of Sint Maarten, developed a "Home repair project" to support the affected population with the recovery following the devastating impact of hurricane Irma.. Following a successful Home Repair Phase 1 project, a second phase based on lessons learned from Phase 1 has started. Informed by an assessment the most vulnerable people will be selected, materials will be provided and NLRC trained construction crews will carry out the repair activities. The overall goal of phase 2 of the Roof Repair project is to support 200 of the most vulnerable households with the repair of the damages on roofs, windows and doors.
Position in the organization
The Junior Delegate Roof Repair is part of the Roof Repair project team, which includes the Roof Repair Project Manager, two Construction Coordinators, two Junior Delegates, one Technical Officer, two Community Mobilizers, a waste management team and a team of site supervisors and construction workers. The Junior Delegate Roof Repair will report directly to the Roof Repair Project Manager. The Junior Delegate will team up with the Red Cross project staff to actively contribute to the implementation of the Roof Repair Project The Junior Delegate will work closely with the communities and beneficiaries.
The Junior Delegate Roof Repair will be working for the International Department of the Netherlands Red Cross and will be employed as a junior delegate based on Sint Maarten. The Junior Delegate falls under the security umbrella of the NLRC.
Summary statement and responsibilities
· Support improvement of communities' ability and technical skills to prioritize and implement collective action;
· Support the development and finetuning of the assessment tool;
· Implement the technical aspects of the application, verification and registration of beneficiaries for the house repair program, resulting in the identification of vulnerable families eligible for shelter assistance according to established selection criteria;
· Support the Construction Coordinators to develop workplans and accurate Bills of Quantities for house repair, if needed;
· Sign construction contracts with beneficiaries and landlords and provide final approval;
· Undertake an environmental assessment by utilizing KOBO;
· Provide all necessary documentation to the selected beneficiaries, neighbors and rejected beneficiaries;
· Investigate land rights by checking the cadaster or other means of verification;
· Tracking and updating of progress via a mapping tool and database;
· Closely coordinate with the relevant community mobilizers during the verification phase and flag social frictions or issues with the community mobilizers or the direct line manager;
· Evaluate the repairs and ensure they are complying to technical guidelines and are of good quality;
· Coordinate and conduct community meetings, community action planning and trainings in selected topics (e.g. on hurricane resistant building, DRR, or prioritized community needs);
· Promote humanitarian principles and key cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, environmental awareness and disaster risk reduction;
· Promote and share ideas for improvement and necessary changes in the activities;
· Help strengthen links with relevant ministries (VROMI mainly) of Government and shelter coordination bodies when relevant;
· Provide regular operational reports on activities, progress and achievements in the designated areas of responsibility;
· Contribute to the various program processes such as refining plan of action, development of project proposals and evaluations;
· Other to the job relevant tasks that may be assigned by the line manager and/ or Head of Mission.
Requirements/ Qualifications
The candidate should at least have:
· Bachelor Degree or advanced course in architecture, construction engineering or related field. Master’s degree desirable;
· A minimum of one year of relevant experience;
· Capacity to work with beneficiaries, community representatives and other stakeholders;
· Experience in community participatory development and mobilisation skills an advantage;
· Field experience in shelter or rehousing projects an advantage;
· Experience in project cycle management an advantage;
· Willingness to work flexible working hours; occasionally early evenings and/or weekend days.
Key competencies
· A good command of the English and Spanish language both verbally and in writing;
· Knowledge of French or Creole is an asset;
· Strong communication skills;
· Preferable experience with or interested working in multicultural Caribbean context and willingness to work in post disaster settings is desirable;
· Ability to coach/train others as well as be open to learning from others. Willingness to different opinions and learning;
· Organized and able to respect timelines;
· High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct, as well as pro-active, a quick learner and flexible, with a pragmatic approach to problem solving.
· Valid driving license.**
We offer
· An interesting role in an international working environment with the aim to help the vulnerable people of Sint Maarten;
· A full-time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) until the end of November 2020 (depending on the availability of funding, an initial shorter term contract might be given);
· This is a delegate position on Sint Maarten.
How to apply:
Applications
Please send your resume and letter of motivation in English with reference to Samira Ennaji before Monday 25 May 2020, 17:00 pm CET by using the online application tool: :https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/158820
For more information please contact Yvonne Wilmer ywilmer@redcross.nl.