Senior Shelter and Settlements Advisor

Team Credence is a multi-company partnership proudly led by Credence Management Solutions, an industry leading government contractor with a longstanding commitment to USAID and its global health and humanitarian missions. In concert with our small business partners—ZemiTek (8(a), EDWOSB), Claro KC (SB), EnCompass (WO), and Global Emergency Group (SB)—Team Credence operates as one team, bringing together exceptional USAID institutional support experience, technical leadership, and an unmatched commitment to BHA and its mission.

USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) is the lead federal coordinator for international disaster assistance. USAID/BHA provides and coordinates U.S. Government (USG) international humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters by supporting at-risk populations to build stable foundations to withstand humanitarian shocks and stresses. Team Credence, through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (BHASC), provides operational and administrative support to provide and coordinate humanitarian assistance and maintain 24/7 response capability.

The Senior Shelter and Settlements Advisor will support the Shelter and Settlements Team in BHA’s Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ). TPQ is responsible for providing policy, normative guidance, tools, facilitation, and capacity building to assist the Bureau in achieving optimal humanitarian outcomes through strategic planning, and program design. 

In support of the Shelter and Settlements Team Lead and the Team’s strategic objectives, the Senior Shelter and Settlements Advisor will provide guidance and technical leadership in developing and promoting vision, strategies, standards, guidelines, and capacity building tools that contribute toward renewing and maintaining BHA’s leadership in the shelter and settlements global community of practice and support BHA in achieving its mission.  The position’s workstream is organized in three interrelated and concurrent areas: 1) Advocacy; 2) Capacity Strengthening/Mentorship; and 3) Technical program quality assurance.

This position is a remote role with the requirement that the candidate must reside in the United States. Those who live in the Washington, DC area have the option of a hybrid schedule, working out of our Washington, DC location, though it is not a requirement.

Working under the guidance and technical supervision of Shelter and Settlements Team Lead, the Senior Shelter and Settlements Advisor will perform the following:

• Lead initial sector-specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities in the emergency response phase through early recovery, risk reduction and resilience programming. Assessments may be conducted at the local, regional, sub-regional, or national level, and may be related to disaster response or to comprehensive strategy development.
• Actively lead BHA in emergency shelter sector discussions and activities, serve as a shelter and settlements sector resource person, and display expert technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a primary resource person for shelter and settlements.
• Provide technical leadership for BHA thinking on Shelter and Settlements sector activities, author Shelter and Settlements sector strategies and recommendations, and communicate technical support for BHA field offices, other offices within USAID, and to BHA’s senior management.
• Liaise with humanitarian organizations (UN, NGOs, IOs) and other stakeholders to coordinate BHA activities within the Shelter and Settlements sector with those of the wider humanitarian community.
• Coordinate and support the oversight of BHA-funded Shelter and Settlements technical activities to ensure the proper use of BHA program funds.
• Provide technical leadership during review of submitted proposals and/or concept notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practice in the Shelter and Settlements sector.
• Author written and oral reports on shelter sector activities and issues that articulate technical concerns to audiences not familiar with Shelter and Settlements.
• Facilitate Shelter and Settlements sector activities across a wide range of actors to ensure consistency of programming.
• Work entails engagement at local, national, international, and academic fora and with civil society organizations, as well as other related activities, to include training and publication as part of education and outreach.
• Coordinate strategic engagement with BHA Geographic teams, including staff in Washington and abroad, to understand shelter and settlement needs for the region, and periodically check in to receive feedback and tailor shelter and settlements support based on needs.

• Minimum Education and Experience:
  • PhD and 4 years of relevant experience, OR
  • MA/MS and 6 years of relevant experience OR
  • BA/BA and 8 years of relevant experience, OR
  • High school diploma and 12 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience must culminate in a set of responsibilities similar to those of this position.
• Preferred Education and Experience:
  • PhD and 4 years of experience working in the field as a shelter and settlements advisor or program manager OR
  • MA/MS and 6 years of experience working in shelter and settlements as it is practiced in the field of humanitarian assistance, early recovery, risk reduction, or resilience programs, including 4 years as a field-based shelter and settlements advisor or program manager OR
  • BA/BS and 10 years of experience working in shelter and settlements as it is practiced in the field of humanitarian assistance, early recovery, risk reduction, or resilience programs, including 6 years as a field-based shelter and settlements advisor or program manager OR
  • High school diploma and 10 years of experience working in the field as a shelter and settlements advisor or program manager.
  • Professional Degrees in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineer and/or Urban Planning.
• Significant experience providing technical assistance and developing successful humanitarian shelter and settlement program strategies and designs.
• Significant experience in operationalizing complex shelter and settlement responses in both rapid onset disasters and complex emergencies.
• Mastery of technical principles and concepts in the Shelter and Settlements sector, such as demonstrated in published papers, panel participation at key sector conferences, portfolio of planning, architecture or engineering projects.
• Required to have US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government issued Secret clearance for the duration of your employment.

Additional Qualifications and Requirements

• Possess excellent judgment and reliability;
• Have strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail;
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite;
• Be able to multi-task and work under deadlines in a fast-paced and collaborative environment;
• Be capable of prioritizing tasks and follow up on actions without prompting;
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances; and
• Be willing to go the extra mile and participate as an active team member who assists other team members as necessary.

Team Credence Values and Core Performance Competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to meet obligations. Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures.
• Collegiality: Recognizes that everyone at BHA and USAID unites in a common purpose and respects each other's abilities to work toward that purpose. Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. Adheres to organization philosophies on culture, diversity, and inclusiveness.
• Capability: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals. Proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization.

Full pay range for this position is $141,000.00 to $165,000.00 per year, with the starting wage determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.