Physical Site Planner

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Physical Site Planner

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Physical Site Planner normally works under overall supervision of a Senior Programme Officer, Head of Office or Technical coordinator, and in coordination with other colleagues in the field, in particular working in shelter, protection, health, community services, water and sanitation.
The Physical Site Planner provides specialised support to emergency operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements to host people of concern to UNHCR. Within the context of UNHCR¿s Global Strategy for Settlement and Shelter (2014-18) , a settlement should take into consideration the spatial allocation of functions while addressing the needs of the population, the availability of resources, the amelioration of living conditions, the provision of services, enhancing transportation networks as well as recreational spaces.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR¿s country operation is technically sound in the field of physical site planning and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.

Responsibility

- Provide technical guidance and support to Field Offices in all matters concerning Physical Planning (of camps and settlements), Shelter and related Engineering Infrastructures programmes/activities to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and environmental soundness in their implementation, and taking into account policy priorities of UNHCR. Upon requests from the Field, conducts technical assessments and provide recommendations, plan of action and verify compliance in the implementation of those activities.
- Ensure that selection of sites for refugees and other persons of concern (POC) are based on approved technical guidelines, giving full consideration to relevant factors like land availability, accessibility, security, water resources and absorption capacity.
- Conduct technical feasibility studies (site assessments) for identification of adequate 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 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 when identifying potential settlement solutions.
- Within an urban context, assess the structural safety of public buildings, measure the absorption capacity within a community for host arrangements while ensuring that humanitarian standards are met to ensure dignified living conditions.
- Develop, in close coordination with implementing partners and other concerned parties, settlement plans and their implementation modalities, including construction/rehabilitation of communal infrastructures (latrines, water points, etc.), taking into account the overall needs of target groups, their cultural preferences and the concerns of the local communities.
- Ensure that settlement designs take into consideration protection oriented issues such as sexual and gender based violence and the specific needs of women, men, girls and boys. The security and privacy of all people of concern, the adequate location of sanitary/health/education facilities, communal services and distribution areas should also be addressed.
- Coordinate with the affected committees, Local Authorities and other partners the identification of potential needs related to shelter and NFIs and ensure that NFI identification/distribution is coordinated among all the actors.
- Advise on matters related to the procurement of sector related materials or equipment, including the development of technical specifications for bid documents, technical evaluation of bids, review/inspection of the quality of products/works.
- Assist Programme colleagues in analysing budgetary implications of technical components, as well as ensuring the technical integrity of all sectoral interventions.
- 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.
- Ensure regular reporting and updating of plans as well as maintaining the settlement information portal (SIP) up to date.
- Maintain regular contact with the Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva regarding all technical matters.

Authority

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

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Architecture or Civil-Engineering, plus minimum 6 years of previous work experience relevant to the function of which a minimum of 2 years of international field experience. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted
- Good knowledge of basic computer software, including engineering design tools e.g AutoCAD and GIS.
-       Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

*** For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Experience in all disciplines of civil engineering, rural settlement development, emergency management and environmental planning, and ability making the linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes will be an added advantage.
- Familiarity with and considerable Field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation and on humanitarian operations.
- Skills on project formulation, planning, supervision and management.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Physical Site Planner positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).