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Assc Physical Site Planner

Kirehe

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Kirehe
  • Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
  • Closing Date: Closed

Associate Physical Site Planner

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The UNHCR Representation Office in Rwanda principally manages a refugee population (mainly refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been on the Rwandan territory since 1996 and Burundian refugees who have been arriving in the country further to the volatile situation in Burundi since April 2015) as well as a significant returnee population of Rwandan refugees returning after many years in exile. It is composed of the Branch Office in Kigali and Field Offices in Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye, Kirehe and Nyamata. It hosts approximately 146,000 refugees in three protracted refugee camps, namely Nyabiheke and Gihembe (managed by Byumba Office) as well as Kiziba (managed by Kibuye Office), three new refugee camps, namely Kigeme and Mugombwa (managed by Butare Office) as well as Mahama (managed by Kirehe Office), and urban settings (Kigali and Huye). Since April 2015, UNHCR is also supporting two additional reception centers in Bugesera and Nyanza districts for Burundian refugees. The existing transit center in Rusizi (Nyagatare Transit Centre) that was receiving Rwandan returnees has also started functioning as a reception center for Burundian new arrivals.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office, the incumbent will be based in Kirehe and will be required to travel to refugee camps, reception centers and urban areas as appropriate. He/she will act as a roving site planner and support further development and continuity of the shelter activities and other infrastructures project activities at a country level.

Finally, the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that UNHCR standards are maintained in site planning as the camps expand and more structures are set up, monitor the work of construction companies, take care of the maintenance of the structures already built and monitor the numerous constructions undertaken in the camps.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- Site plans are developed in close coordination with project partners and other concerned parties taking into account overall needs of target group, their cultural preferences and the concerns of the local communities.
- Technical feasibility studies for identification of adequate refugee sites are conducted in close coordination with local authorities at provincial, district and divisional levels, as well as with the concerned line ministries and project partners.

Responsibility
- Develop the shelter strategies to meet the ongoing needs of refugees, taking into account the preferences of the beneficiaries, local construction practices and available materials. Plan and supervise the maintenance and upgrading of family shelters in order to improve standards
- Provide support to relevant sectors in the market analysis of locally available construction materials and skills, promoting the use of local capacity as appropriate.
- Ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of site planning and shelter activities, providing inputs for situation reports and reporting back to the country office and headquarters on progress and standards.
- Provide specialized shelter and settlement support to ensure technical integrity while providing emergency assistance to population of concern.
- Ensure that basic technical criteria of land availability/property, accessibility, security, topography, water resources, absorption capacity, and adequate terrain for proper sanitation facilities are taken into consideration while selecting potential refugee sites. Other factors such as national reserves, migration corridor, and flooding, possible conflict with local population (grazing land) have also to be taken into consideration during the site planning.
- Coordinate with the affected committees, local authorities and other partners the identification of potential needs related to shelter and NFIs and ensure that NFIs need identification/distribution is coordinated among all the actors.
- Work in close coordination with all functional units in UNHCR (Protection, Programme, Community Services, Field, Administration, and Supply) for all issues related to protection, population of concern figures and assistance, and work in close coordination with the Physical Planner and Geographical Information System (GIS) Expert based in the Regional Hub in Nairobi for issues concerning GPS points and mapping of refugee sites.
- Assist UNHCR office with any other shelter and settlement related issues as required.
- Advise on the matters related to procurement of sector-related materials or equipment (including development and preparation of technical specifications for bid documents, technical evaluation of bids, review/inspect quality of the products/works as requested), and assist in fund raising efforts (provision of information and preparation of project proposals, and participation in negotiations) and other publicity endeavours.
- Perform any other duties as required.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in meetings and fora related to the function.
- Enforce technical strategies, protocols and guidelines.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- University degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering.
- Minimum 4 years of previous relevant professional experience.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language, preferably French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of UNHCR standards and criteria for site selection, including consideration of cross sectorial issues related to protection, WASH, environment, land property issues etc.
- Good knowledge of site surveying (including topography, hydrology, geology, land use physical planning, environment, engineering, etc.) and extensive experience in undertaking related topography assessments/ feasibility studies for site identification and environmental impact studies whilst using surveying tools (including GPS equipment, GIS software).
- Prior experience in settlement site planning including layout of shelter plots, roads, communal infrastructures and basic services.
- Prior experience in designing and implementing shelter strategies.
- Previous experience in tender processes (including development of all relevant technical documentation) to ensure settlement development.
- Experience of site construction management (including supervision, monitoring, quality control, evaluation etc.)
- Capacity to work with multi sectorial teams; cultural sensitivity to the specific needs of the persons of concern.
- Willingness and ability to work in hardship environments.
- Computer literacy in MS Office and other relevant software to produce digital maps, site plans, layout and technical drawings.
This vacancy is now closed.
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