These volunteer roles are designed to involve participants resident in Jordan in a project commissioned by UHPH-MENA, focusing on assessing the state of adequate housing in Jordan. The project aims to analyse housing conditions, affordability, and accessibility while providing policy recommendations to improve housing for low-income and marginalised communities. Candidates with expertise or interest in housing research, urban development, or public policy – particularly in Jordan or the MENA region – are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional responsibilities may include collaborating on various practical projects.
Background
Founded in 2004, Shelter Centre is a Swiss humanitarian NGO dedicated to supporting organisations involved in providing shelter to populations affected by conflict and natural disasters. Shelter Centre emphasises collaboration, consensus, and capacity-building but does not directly implement operations. Shelter Centre also runs the Humanitarian Library which is a knowledge management platform bringing together multi-sectoral strategic guidelines and technical training for field use, always involving broad consensus within the humanitarian community.
Volunteer Roles Description and Requirements
Role and Objectives
Shelter Centre invites residents in Jordan with diverse skills to contribute to humanitarian activities within a dynamic and global remote team. Both full-time and part-time volunteer positions are available. Due to team collaboration requirements and varying time zones, a consistent schedule is essential for arranging meetings and ensuring effective project coordination.
Desired Candidate Profile
We are seeking passionate, motivated, well-organised, and results-oriented professionals with a strong interest in the humanitarian sector. Ideal candidates will have experience in shelter and settlements, website management and the ability to work across multiple platforms, prioritising tasks effectively. Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written, are essential. Fluency in Arabic or other languages is highly desirable.
Main Responsibilities and Tasks
Informed by preliminary feedback, the volunteer or intern will contribute to the successful implementation of the UHPH-MENA commissioned project. This may involve activities including, but not limited to:
- Supporting research efforts by reviewing relevant literature, policies, and housing data related to Jordan
- Assisting in the development of a comprehensive analysis of housing conditions, affordability, accessibility, and policy effectiveness
- Contributing to the preparation of two case studies on urban housing in Jordan
- Assisting in data collection and fieldwork
- Helping prepare research summaries, presentations, and drafts for internal and external review.
- Understanding the contexts and audiences, recognising affected populations as key stakeholders in housing solutions
Applicants should also be flexible and motivated to work on other projects and activities, which may range from supporting operational technical work to collaborations with agencies.
Desired Education, Interests, Skills, and Experience
- Interest or experience in humanitarian shelter
- Interest or experience in sustainable construction
- Experience at the national level in the private sector, humanitarian sector, or civil society
- Experience and knowledge of the context in Jordan are desirable but not essential
- Experience working within varied cultures around the world and in remote areas
- Experience in project management
- University degree (or equivalent) in engineering (civil, structural, mechanical) or architecture
- Knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research and analysis methods is desirable
Required Education, Skills, and Experience
- Commitment to humanitarian action
- Experience in shelters and settlements
- Resides in Jordan or a Jordanian citizen
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Strong organisational skills and demonstrated experience in project management
- Ability to multitask, prioritise, and work accurately to set deadlines
- Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues from varied cultural and professional backgrounds
- Fluent in spoken and written English (minimum Level C1 proficiency)
- General computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and Google Drive
In-kind time contributions will be considered from engineering firms, universities, and research bodies.
Volunteer Benefits
Volunteers are fundamental to Shelter Centre’s work and receive weekly personal development opportunities, including mentoring sessions and career guidance. Additionally, volunteers will receive a certificate of completion and recommendation letters upon successful completion. They will also have opportunities to network with professionals in International Geneva and benefit from weekly one-on-one career development meetings.
Conditions
- Availability: Full-time (35 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week) positions, with flexible hours and scheduling to accommodate different time zones. The volunteer roles are unpaid and require a minimum commitment of three months and a maximum of six months. Preference is given to full-time applicants.
- Location: Applicants must hold or obtain a valid permit allowing them to reside and undertake volunteer roles in Jordan.
- Development: Shelter Centre, with over a decade of experience in remote collaboration, provides a structured and supportive environment for volunteers.
Successful candidates will bear their own insurance, accommodation and living costs. Travel is not required.
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV and motivation letter as soon as possible, as recruitment will be undertaken on a rolling basis.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter which responds to the ToR above to recruitment@sheltercentre.org
Closing date: 13th April 2025 (23:59, Geneva time, CEST, GMT+2)
FYI: applicants to be considered for possible interviews will be contacted with further practical questions. Interviews will be undertaken on a rolling basis, due to key activities ongoing.