Field Agent (Engineering/Architecture)

The consultant shall duly and timely perform his/her obligations, under these Terms of Reference, and will work in close collaboration with the UN-Habitat’s operational and technical teams.

Niterói (RJ), Brazil

Six (6) months, with possibility of extension

Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis in developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. The “Vida Nova no Morro – Supporting Sustainable Urban Development in Informal Settlements in Niterói” project is being implemented by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Municipality of Niterói, through the Municipal Secretariat of Housing and Land Regularization. The initiative aims to strengthen the Municipality’s data systems and institutional capacities to develop social housing policies responsive to the needs of vulnerable territories and populations, while promoting sustainable, inclusive, and integrated urban development through evidence-based planning, housing assessments, and community engagement in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The project proposes a set of interventions to improve housing and urban conditions in favelas and urban communities through housing mapping, community mobilization, and innovative participatory methodologies. Through these actions, the initiative seeks to reduce socio-spatial inequalities, strengthen local capacities, and support sustainable urban development that leaves no one and no territory behind. To properly implement the above-mentioned project, a Field Agent (Engineering/Architecture) is required. Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Field Agent (Engineering/Architecture) reports to the Head of Brazil Office, who will evaluate him/her. Responsibilities The Field Agent (Engineering/Architecture) will support the implementation of the project and its activities, with the following responsibilities: a) Conduct architectural inspections, assessments, and technical diagnoses of dwell-ings through active fieldwork in favelas, including the assessment of building condi-tions and habitability, ensuring compliance with questionnaire protocols and the quali-ty of data collection. b) Collect and generate data from architectural surveys, including building measurements, photographs, and technical sketches, ensuring its quality, consistency, accuracy, and integrity. c) Provide support in clarifying questions and verifying the collected data. d) Elaborate and/or support the creation of reports. e) Facilitate communication with residents regarding the subsequent stages of pro-gramme implementation, ensuring alignment with the guidance and protocols estab-lished by the Programme Coordination. f) Contribute to the design of effective strategies for implementing the Programme’s fieldwork methodology, particularly the technical diagnosis of dwellings. g) Report any intercurrences in the field and implement safety protocols as outlined in the Programme’s guidelines.  h) Ensure adherence to safety protocols and the proper use of electronic equipment, uniforms, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). i) Ensure that assigned tasks are completed within the established deadlines and in accordance with the required quality standards, contributing to the achievement of project objectives within the approved budget. j) Attend project meetings and local meetings as requested. k) Participate in training sessions on fieldwork approaches, methodologies, data collection tools, and ethical standards, as requested. l) Provide inputs for the identification of project risks. m) Maintain professional and cordial relations with the Programme’s counterparts.  n) Ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with the principles of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards of the United Nations. o) Elaborate and submit Monthly Activity Reports in a timely and accurate manner, as well as other reports or updates as requested by the supervisor. p) Provide information for the systematization and exchange of successful practices and experiences with other offices in the region and with headquarters divisions. q) Perform other duties related to field technical diagnoses and project implementation, as requested by the Programme Coordination. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System. Outputs/Work Assignment The consultant shall be paid a monthly allowance, upon presentation and approval by the Head of Brazil Office of monthly activities’ report.

Education Required: • Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism or Civil Engineering is required, or additional three (3) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement. Work experience • A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection/building assessment, residential construction, building surveying, housing improvement, technical assistance for housing, technical assessments in vulnerable communities, social housing/affordable housing, in Brazil, or related areas is required. • Experience with inspection, assessment, and technical diagnosis of residential buildings is required. • Previous experience within the UN System is desirable. Skills • Proficiency in Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and Web search engines are required. • Good knowledge of construction systems, building components, and common building defects is required. • Good knowledge of housing conditions, habitability standards, building codes, and safety requirements is required. • Ability to take accurate measurements and prepare technical sketches is required. • Attention to detail and commitment to data quality and accuracy is required. • Ability to communicate technical information clearly and in an accessible manner is required. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when interacting with residents and communities is required. • Commitment to professional ethics, confidentiality, and respect for local communities is required. • Ability to work effectively in favelas is required. • Ability to work in field environments and comply with established safety protocols is required. • Experience in public policies in favelas is desirable. Competencies • Professionalism: Experience working in an inter-institutional environment, project management, monitoring-evaluation; approaches and strategies regarding good urban governance and local and regional development. • Planning and organization: Professional approach to work, strong sense of responsibility, operate with minimal supervision; proven organizational skills and ability to manage a workload efficiently and within set deadlines. • Communication: Ability to write clearly and effectively; listen to others, interpret messages correctly and respond appropriately; show openness in information sharing and keep everyone informed; solid abstract reasoning skills together with a proven capacity to write documents for diverse audiences. • Teamwork: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments. Knowledge Management • The person must know the processes, procedures, and norms of UN-Habitat, to guarantee an adequate quality of the activities described above, following the standards of the organization. • The person will propose formats and procedures that allow the efficient implementation of the activities related to the project development. • The person must know the file of the Office, work with it, and ensure its proper maintenance, accessibility for all staff, and due updating. • The person will prepare databases related to the project running. • The person will make sure that all relevant technical information will be adequately shared with the correspondent staff. • The person will ensure that all produced material will be fit-for-purpose and delivered, in an organized way, for posterior consultation and use of the Agency. • The person will only share the information produced with the team agency, assuring the privacy of the content.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Spanish is the working language of the Regional Office. • For the post advertised, fluency in Portuguese is required. Good command in English and Spanish is an asset.

Travel details: Not Applicable Remuneration SB-3/1 UNDP Brazil Salary Scale Notes Appointment against this post is on local basis and only nationals from Brazil or external candidates who hold a permanent visa in Brazil may apply.  The extension of this contract is subject to availability of funds and/or performance. Any contract extension is not automatic.   It is required for all the curricular information to be inserted in the system, which may take a few hours. Only complete applications in English will be considered.    All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.  Applications should be submitted through INSPIRA and must include all documents required at the system, please be ready to include the following information at the “Candidate Profile” (CP) at Inspira:    • Cover memo (maximum 1 page)  • Educational Background (incl. dates)  • Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)  • Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments  • Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)* * Please note that Internships, part-time and voluntary work count as 50%. In addition to it, note experience not relevant to the position will not be considered.   All applications should be submitted to: Inspira    UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning people or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.