Shelter Officer

CORE seeks a Shelter Officer to support Hurricane Melissa shelter programming in Jamaica. Reporting to the Shelter Lead, this role covers beneficiary engagement, site supervision, materials management, and vendor coordination to ensure quality field delivery.

Introduction

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a global crisis response organization dedicated to delivering immediate aid and supporting long-term recovery in underserved communities. Our mission is to save lives and strengthen communities affected by or at risk of crisis. 

CORE is seeking a Shelter Officer to support the delivery of shelter programming for the Hurricane Melissa emergency response in Jamaica. Working under the direct supervision of the Shelter Lead, this role is responsible for field-level implementation across four core areas: beneficiary engagement, shelter site supervision, materials and inventory management, and vendor coordination with the Operations Lead. 

The Shelter Officer is the primary point of contact for beneficiaries during implementation — ensuring households understand the process, receive timely and high-quality assistance, and feel respected. This role also keeps field operations running efficiently by tracking materials, supervising work teams, and supporting procurement activities with hardware vendors. 

This role is based in St. Elizabeth Monday - Friday. Relocation costs not covered. 

This role is grant-funded and provides full-time temporary employment through the end of June 2026.

Main Responsibilities

1. Construction/Repair Site Supervision 

• Supervise daily field activities at shelter repair sites, ensuring work is on schedule, within scope, and meets program quality standards. 

• Conduct regular site walkthroughs to monitor workmanship, flag quality issues, and confirm completed activities against approved scopes of work. 

• Enforce safety protocols at all work sites, including mandatory use of PPE, hazard identification, and application of stop-work authority when required. 

• Manage attendance and daily deployment of field teams and Cash-for-Work participants, maintaining accurate records. 

• Ensure tools, equipment, and materials are properly distributed at the start of each day and returned and accounted for at close of work. 

• Report daily progress, challenges, and site observations to the Shelter Lead. 

 2. Community Engagement 

• Serve as the primary field-level point of contact for beneficiaries throughout shelter implementation, from registration through work completion. 

• Conduct household-level damage assessments and verify eligibility based on established program criteria, documenting findings clearly and accurately. 

• Explain program scope, timelines, and limitations to beneficiaries in a clear, respectful, and culturally appropriate manner. 

• Manage expectations proactively — including communicating delays, scope boundaries, and ineligibility decisions with sensitivity and professionalism. 

• Collect and document beneficiary feedback and concerns, escalating unresolved issues to the Shelter Lead in a timely manner. 

• Support community mobilization activities including outreach, information sessions, and participation in registration processes  

 3. Inventory & Materials Management 

• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all shelter materials, tools, and PPE assigned to field operations. 

• Track the receipt, storage, distribution, and return of materials across all active sites, using approved tracking tools and templates. 

• Conduct regular physical stock counts and reconcile against distribution records, flagging discrepancies immediately. 

• Coordinate with the Operations Officer to ensure timely replenishment of materials and avoid site delays caused by supply gaps. 

• Ensure materials are stored securely, safely, and in good condition, and report any damage, loss, or suspected misuse. 

4. Vendor Coordination

• Support the Operations Officer in identifying and engaging local hardware vendors and suppliers for shelter materials and repair inputs. 

• Assist in obtaining quotations, verifying the quality and specifications of goods, and completing required procurement documentation. 

• Accompany or represent the program during vendor visits, site deliveries, and materials inspections as directed by the Operations Officer. 

• Maintain records of vendor interactions, delivery notes, and goods received in line with program and donor requirements. 

• Flag any vendor performance issues, delivery shortfalls, or quality concerns to the Operations Lead and Shelter Lead promptly. 

5. Community Engagement 

• Serve as the primary field-level point of contact for beneficiaries throughout shelter implementation, from registration through work completion. 

• Conduct household-level damage assessments and verify eligibility based on established program criteria, documenting findings clearly and accurately. 

• Explain program scope, timelines, and limitations to beneficiaries in a clear, respectful, and culturally appropriate manner. 

• Manage expectations proactively — including communicating delays, scope boundaries, and ineligibility decisions with sensitivity and professionalism. 

• Collect and document beneficiary feedback and concerns, escalating unresolved issues to the Shelter Lead in a timely manner. 

• Support community mobilization activities including outreach, information sessions, and participation in registration processes. 

 6. Documentation & Reporting 

• Maintain complete and accurate field records including assessment forms, site checklists, attendance sheets, inventory logs, and work completion verification. 

• Submit regular written updates to the Shelter Lead on field progress, beneficiary issues, materials status, and site conditions. 

• Support the M&E Officer with data collection, post-distribution monitoring (PDM), and photo documentation as required. 

• Uphold CORE's Code of Conduct, PSEA policy, and data protection standards at all times.

Scope & Travel

• Willingness to travel to program sites in St. Elizabeth and West Moreland Parishes up to 80% of time 

• Must hold a valid driver's license and be able to drive as required. 

• Must be based in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica or able to travel to St. Elizabeth Parish every day. 

• Housing and relocation costs not provided.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant experience or training in shelter, construction, basic repairs, or community-level disaster response. 

• A secondary school diploma or equivalent is required; technical or vocational training in construction, logistics, or a related field is an asset. 

• Strong commitment to humanitarian principles including protection, gender equality, and accountability to affected populations. 

• Willingness to work respectfully with communities, local partners, and multi-disciplinary response teams
• Experience in shelter, construction, housing repair, or debris removal activities, ideally in an emergency or community-based Caribbean context. 

• Experience supervising small field teams or managing daily workers in construction or community program settings. 

• Experience managing or tracking physical inventory, tools, or materials in a field or warehouse setting. 

• Experience engaging directly with community members and beneficiaries, including handling complaints or sensitive situations. 

• Experience supporting procurement or vendor interactions — obtaining quotes, verifying goods, or completing delivery documentation — is an asset.

• Experience working in fast-paced, field-based, or resource-constrained environments. 

Skills & Competencies

• Practical knowledge of basic construction, shelter repair techniques, or materials handling. 

• Strong interpersonal skills — able to engage beneficiaries with empathy, clarity, and professionalism, including in difficult or sensitive situations. 

• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain accurate records across multiple active sites. 

• Ability to supervise and hold field teams accountable for quality, safety, and daily targets. 

• Comfortable working with vendors and suppliers — able to verify specifications, document transactions, and flag issues. 

• Reliability, flexibility, and composure under pressure in emergency settings. 

• Commitment to safety, inclusion, and ethical humanitarian practice. 

• Physical ability to conduct sustained outdoor field work across multiple sites. 

• Valid driver's license and ability to drive safely. 

Salary for this role is $1,300 USD a month.