UNV Civil Engineers x 3

Since 30th August 2017, Zambia has been receiving new arrivals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) mainly from Pweto, in Haute Katanga and Moba, in Tanganyika Provinces. The refugees are running away from conflict between Government forces and their allies (Abatembo) and the Elema (Elements). The majority of the refugees have been crossing into Zambia through Chiengi District in Luapula Province and these were kept for a few days at a Reception Centre in Chiengi (about 100 km away from Nchelenge office) before being temporarily relocated and registered at Kenani Refugee Transit Centre and then relocated to Mantapala Settlement in Nchelenge District.

As of 30th June 2018, a cumulative total of 10,300 individuals from the DRC had been reallocated to the settlement of Mantapala (Nchelenge District) provided by the Government Republic of Zambia. While the number has been stable over the last 4 months, the new settlement also aim to assist host communities (estimated to nearly 5,000 people) in terms of basic social infrastructures (WASH, Education and Health). Mantapala Settlement has a high average of yearly rains compared to the rest of Zambia as the rain starts from October to May, while the dry season runs from June to September. The current access road to and within the Settlement as well as planning drainage among the livable blocks remains among the biggest challenges. As the Settlement is newly established the need for the expertise of a Site Planner is crucial as the planned figure is a total of 25,000 individual (host communities included).

Further, the aim of this assignment is to support the development of the Settlement of Mantapala in terms of plot demarcations, roads opening, drainages planning, and many other infrastructures planning. While the mission objectives are:

• Lead the delivery of Site Planning services for the Settlement of Mantapala to meet UNHCR standards;
• Act as focal point for site planning issues within UNHCR and coordinate the activities with Governmental and Non-Governmental counterparts; and
• Facilitate adoption of methodologies for monitoring and reporting.

Under the supervision of Head of Office, the UNV Civil Engineer will:

• Conduct technical feasibility studies 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;
• Provide technical support to the Zambia country office in Lusaka with the establishment of shelter facilities and infrastructure for refugees from DRC with due consideration to cross cutting issues, including protection, water, health, sanitation and environmental protection and community-based protection;
• 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 the local population have also to be taken into consideration when identifying potential settlement solutions;
• Create a shelter strategy for the DRC emergency in North East  of  Zambia, provide technical guidance and support for infrastructure development, emergency & semi-permanent shelter and durable solutions for an out of a camp settlement;
• Design and create new reception and transit center as well as strategies to initiate settlements benefitting both host communities and asylum seekers;
• 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;
• Support the development of a settlement strategy following Master Plan principles and incorporate shelter / other infrastructure components as necessary;
• Coordinate with the affected committees, Local Authorities, and other partners the identification of potential needs related to shelter;
• 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 sectorial interventions;
• Prepare situation reports and maintain regular contact with the Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva regarding all technical matters;
• Liaise with implementing partners to respect sphere standards and indicators for shelter improvement with regards to adequate habitable and dwelling space and durable materials for persons of concern;
• Provide technical input for shelter materials as well as stock and distribution with supply colleagues;
• Ensure environmental preservation measures are taken seriously, allocate areas for reforestation and respect local cultivation grounds and boundaries.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

• Technical feasibility studies for identification of adequate sites conducted;
• Technical support provided to the Regional Office in Lusaka. Shelters and other infrastructure established with due consideration of critical factors;
• Shelter strategy for the DRC emergency in North East of Zambia created;
• Structural safety of public buildings assessed;
• Settlement plans and implementation modalities developed;
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• High ethical and professional standards.
• Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills to deal with persons of various cultural and educational background.
• Team player with service oriented attitudes.

• University degree in civil engineering disciplines with courses in physical planning, construction management, infrastructure development or any other related subjects;
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible functions in site planning or a related field;
• Proven experience with site planning and ability to achieve quality results, on time and within available resources;
• Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activates to achieve a common objective in the area of site planning;
• Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner in demanding working conditions that other have short deadlines;
• Proven technical expertise in the relevant area including survey, programme implementation, technical design, monitoring and coordination;
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.
• Fluent in English language.
• Good understanding of integrated site planning strategies and design.
• Proficiency in basic computer software.
• Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions.

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.