Internships and Volunteerships: Architects, Engineers, and Humanitarian Shelter and Housing Professionals

This volunteership or internship is designed to involve participants 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.

Volunteership and Internship Description and Requirements

Role and Objectives

This volunteership or internship is designed to involve participants 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 such as fundraising and human resources activities.

Following Swiss employment law, we are able to offer two opportunities, for volunteers and interns, who will both receive the same mentoring support.

Volunteer Opportunities

Shelter Centre invites young professionals with diverse skills to remotely contribute to humanitarian activities within a dynamic and global 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.

Internship Opportunities

Shelter Centre invites young professionals with diverse skills to remotely contribute to humanitarian activities within a dynamic and global team. Both full-time and part-time internship 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.

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a university and capable of obtaining a tripartite agreement with their institution, either as part of their curriculum (intra-curricular) or outside their curriculum (extra-curricular). Internships that are part of the curriculum and aimed at earning academic credits will be given priority.

Desired Candidate Profile

We are seeking passionate, motivated, well-organized, 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.
• 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.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

• Commitment to humanitarian action.
• Experience in shelters and settlements.
• 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 and Internship Benefits

Volunteers and interns are fundamental to Shelter Centre’s work and receive weekly personal development opportunities, including mentoring sessions and career guidance. Additionally, volunteers and interns will receive a certificate of completion and recommendation letters upon successful completion. They will also have opportunities to network remotely with professionals in international humanitarian action and benefit from a team-led programme for professional development, involving external speakers, team speakers, skills development such as around LinkedIn, and undertaking online trainings together.

Conditions

• Availability: Full-time (35 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week) fully-remote positions, with flexible scheduling to accommodate different time zones. The volunteership and internship are unpaid and require a minimum commitment of three months and a maximum of six months. Preference is given to full-time applicants.
• Location: Fully remote. Applicants must hold or obtain a valid permit allowing them to reside and undertake the volunteership or internship where they are located.
• Development: Shelter Centre, with over a decade of experience in remote collaboration, provides a structured and supportive environment for volunteers and interns.

Successful candidates will bear their own insurance, accommodation and living costs. Travel is not required.