Assc 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.

Associate Physical Site Planner

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Associate Physical Site Planner normally works under overall supervision of a Senior Site Planner or Senior Programme Officer or Head of Office, and in coordination with other colleagues in the field, in particular working in protection, health, community services, water and sanitation. In addition to physical planning, the incumbent may also assist with the functions in the areas of shelter, infrastructure, and site selection and construction management support.

The incumbent liaises and co-ordinates UNHCR construction related activities within the area of responsibility (AoR), in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities and maintains contacts with the local officials and implementing partners to discuss and share information on the assessment of infrastructure conditions in refugee-hosting areas. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR¿s country operation has sufficient support in the field of site planning and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.

Responsibility
- Coordinate and consolidate UNHCR construction related activities, in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities.
- Act a focal point on all matters related to construction activities amongst different sectors within UNHCR and between UNHCR and Partners.
- Assess infrastructure conditions in refugee-hosting areas and assess how and to what extend those conditions are effected by the presence of refugees.
- Plan, design and coordinate refugee camp layouts.
- Update existing refugee camps to match the existing situation.
- Supervise and monitor the implementation of construction projects administered by UNHCR under AoR.
- Prepare consolidated reports on construction related activities of sites within the AoR.
- Develop and maintain liaison with specialized institutions, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies, donors and other institutions to enhance technical activities in the related areas implemented in the locations under the AoR.
- Perform other related duties, as required.

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 one of the civil engineering disciplines with courses on physical planning, construction management, infrastructure development or any other related subjects plus minimum 3 years of relevant professional working experience. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Good knowledge of basic computer softwares, including engineering design tools.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

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.
- Previous professional experience in the areas of rural development, natural resources and environmental management.
- Familiarity with and Field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation and on humanitarian operations.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Associate 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. C001L2 - Accountability Level 2
C002L2 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
C003L2 - Communication Level 2
C004L2 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
C005L2 - Client & Result Orientation Level 2
C006L2 - Organizational Awareness Level 2
X001L2 - Analytical Thinking Level 2
X002L2 - Innovation and Creativity Level 2
X005L2 - Planning and Organizing Level 2 <p>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.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country 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). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

The incumbent should display the following competencies, experience and knowledge:
¿ 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.
¿ Knowledge of UNHCR standards and criteria for site selection, including consideration of cross sectorial issues related to protection, WASH, environment, land property issues etc.
¿ 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 (AutoCAD, Infraworks 360, etc..), layout and technical drawings.

Preferably, s/he should have a prior experience in the region.

S/he must have an excellent working knowledge of French and English, as more and more reports are drafted in the English language. After the 2016 clashes which occurred in South Sudan  between Vice-president Riek Machar¿s and President Salva Kiir¿s allies, the political situation in South Sudan remains unpredictable and very volatile DRC has received 95,704 South Sudanese refugees as of 31 December 2018.  UNHCR protection monitors deployed at main entry points in Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces provide daily information and reports on the situation.  Due to the growing number of arriving refugees and the worsening security situation at the border between DRC and South Sudan, DRC authorities instructed all refugees living in the border villages to be relocated deeper into the country.  Facing this situation, UNHCR opened three offices in 2017 (Aba, Dungu and Aru).  Due to to its accessibility, Aru became a Sub Office. Plans are underway to close the Dungu Field Office and relocate the refugees to a new site near Aba beginning 2019. UNHCR supports the DRC Government, through the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) by ensuring protection of refugees and asylum seekers through capacity building and regular coaching. UNHCR works in cooperation with national and international partners, and in collaboration with other UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, IOM and UNHABITAT and the peacekeeping mission in Congo DRC, MONUSCO.
The incumbent functions under the supervision of the Head of Sub-Office in Aru. Aba is a small town in Haut-Uele Province, near the border with South Sudan. There are no paved roads, no running water and no electricity.
International staff live in accommodation provided within UNHCR Compound.
There are very limited medical facilities in Aba but Air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during day time.  Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Malaria is the most common disease.  The Office is of the view that, the two year SAL should be upheld to avoid burnout.
Telephone network are not very reliable but the Office has Wifi, and PAMA is being installed. Aba is a security level 3 duty station with a six weeks R&R periodicity Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)