Physical Site Planner

Physical Site Planner

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Physical Site Planner will be based in the UNHCR field office in Meiganga. He / She will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Field Office, and in coordination with other colleagues working in the field. The position requires regular contact with programme, protection and field staff in country in order to ensure technical support related to shelter and construction activities.
Specialized functions to be dealt by the incumbent in this post include physical planning, shelter and engineering infrastructures.
Close and regular contact with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, National and International NGOs and Government Authorities, is essential to discuss matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision.
The incumbent is also expected to liaise on a regular basis with the Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR's country operation is technically sound in the field of site planning and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
- Selection of Refugee and other persons of concern (POC) sites are based on approved technical guidelines, giving full consideration to relevant factors like land availability, accessibility, security, water resources and absorption capacity.

Responsibility

- Conduct technical feasibility studies for identification of adequate Refugee and other POC sites in close coordination with Local Authorities at Provincial, District and Divisional levels, as well as with the concerned line Ministries and implementing partners.
- 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.
- Develop, in close coordination with implementing partners and other concerned parties, site plans and their implementation modalities, including construction of communal infrastructures (latrines, water points, etc.), taking into account overall needs of target groups, their cultural preferences and the concerns of the local communities keeping in mind policy priorities of UNHCR, such as environmental issues.
- Ensure that sites designs take into consideration protection oriented issues related to gender based violence and women and children needs. The security/privacy of women and children, the adequate location of latrines, of communal services, and of distribution areas have also to be addressed.
- Coordinate with Refugee and host committees, Local Authorities and other partners the identification of potential needs related to shelter and non-food items (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, refugee 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. Maintain regular contact with UNHCR Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva.
- Assist the programme section by analysing budgetary implications of technical components, as well as the technical integrity of our interventions in the camps and in the refugee and other POC -affected areas.
- Act as a focal point in the areas of physical planning, shelter and, provide regular technical report to the Supervisor, and to other colleagues as appropriate.
- Assist UNHCR office with any other Internally Displaced Person (IDP) or other POC technical related issues as required by the Supervisor.
- 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 other related activities as required.

Authority

- Intervene with implementing partners on Settlement and Site Planning issues.
- Decide priorities in the designing of implementation plan.
- Advise on implementing partners' selection.
- Enforce technical strategies, protocols and guidelines.
- Represent UNHCR in meetings and fora related to the function.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

- University degree in Architecture or Civil-Engineering.
- Minimum 8 years of progressively relevant professional working experience in the related field in developing countries, professional experience in the areas of rural development, natural resources and environmental management.
- Prior experience of implementing shelter and settlement projects in humanitarian context and large scale emergencies coordinating with operational partners governmental technical departments.
- Prior experience in designing and implementing a shelter strategy, including host family situations, collective shelter and camp settings, in emergency while considering the transition to more sustainable solutions.
- Project formulation, planning, supervision and management skills.
- Familiarity with and considerable Field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation and on humanitarian operations.
- Strong analytical, drafting and diplomatic skills, and proficient in basic computer software's, including engineering (AutoCAD) and site planning design tools (GPS).
- Excellent working knowledge of French is essential. English would be an asset.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Experience in all disciplines of civil engineering, rural settlement development.
- Emergency management and environmental planning.
- Ability making the linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes will be an added advantage. 
- Proficiency in a second UN language would be an asset.