Settlement Planning Associate

Settlement Planning Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Settlement Planning Associate works under the overall supervision of a more senior settlement planning colleague, Technical Coordinator, Programme Officer or the Head of Office. S/he works in coordination with other colleagues in the field, in particular working in protection, health, community services, water and sanitation. In addition to settlement planning, the incumbent may also assist with the functions in the areas of shelter, infrastructure, and site selection and construction management support. The incumbent participates in maintaining effective coordination with any established settlement / shelter sector working group at her / his particular level. In addition, s/he provides support in the monitoring of the implementation of settlement planning activities, and for collaboration with Administration, Finance and Programme on all programmatic issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). The incumbent shall be working closely with other sections on settlement and general infrastructure related activities and provides functional technical support to the team as well as to the technical experts in the Field.
The Settlement Planning Associate provides support to the more senior settlement planning colleagues in emergency and protracted operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements to host people of concern (POC) to UNHCR. A settlement should take into consideration the risks associated with settlement locations, 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.
The incumbent will therefore be expected to assist the more senior settlement planning colleagues in analysing the variety of settlement options urban, rural, formal or informal and ensure that spatial allocation of lands is decided in support of the protection, access to basic services, livelihoods, and socio-cultural life of displaced people and the host community.

The Settlement Planning Associate assists in co-ordination and construction related activities within the 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. 

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
Technical Guidance
- Support in preparation of assessments and selection of potential sites in accordance with the Master Plan approach to settlement planning taking into consideration protection concerns, promoting the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues (e.g. age, environment, gender, and human rights), national legislation, environmental considerations and access to basic services.
- Provide support and work with all functional units in UNHCR and relevant technical actors in carrying out needs assessments, analysis and joint inter-sector needs assessment exercises as appropriate, prioritize results accordingly and feed them into the Master Planning Process and Settlement Planning Strategy.
- Assist in the development of settlement layouts that respond to natural topography and drainage patterns of the site to reduce construction and maintenance costs.
- Coordinate and assist in scheduling and follow up of plot demarcation, allocation for potential shelters (RHUs, family tents and other shelter solutions), and other infrastructure according to the settlement plans.
- Directly follow up and support the implementation of the settlement masterplan. Prepare bid documents, drawings, BOQs, Work Schedules and Technical Specifications for settlement planning activities.
- Monitor regularly the settlement and infrastructure works so these are implemented according to plans and completed within designated timelines and budget. Ensure that technical components reflect local government and UNHCR minimum standards focusing on quality and output.
- Prepare regular reports as necessary to be shared with the supervisor.

Coordination
- Provide support in ensuring that UNHCR¿s operation within the AoR is technically sound in the field of settlement planning to best meet the needs of POC.
- Work with relevant authorities and government counterparts to support strong coordination of settlement planning activities within the AoR.
- Assist the supervisor in developing settlement plans that are aligned with regional, national land use plans and planned developments.
- Provide inputs for periodic updates on the Masterplan taking note of the changes, new developments and expansion in the settlement.
- Provide support to implementing and operational partners to ensure the use of common standards and tools for information collection and data management.
Collaboration
- In coordination with relevant focal persons and technical colleagues, provide support in carrying out appropriate assessments and mapping exercises such as environmental impact assessment, useable land area assessment, mapping of services, mapping of host communities, livelihood assessments, etc.

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable;

Certificates and/or Licenses
Civil Engineering; Construction; Architecture; Urban Planning
and any other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Prior experience of technical implementation of shelter/camp projects in humanitarian context and emergencies, in liaison with operational partner's and governmental technical departments.
Knowledge of a range of physical planning assistance options, including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of the persons of concern is taken into account while designing and developing camps/shelter options.
Experience of technical monitoring of shelter and camp development and maintenance projects.
Knowledge of topographic surveying.

Desirable
Knowledge of CAD/CAM is a great added value. Knowledge of other computer graphics and mapping software.

Functional Skills
*SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning
DM-ArcGIS (Geographic Information System)
IT-Computer Literacy
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
SP-Design tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS)
SP-Shelter and Site Planning Technical Guidelines and Standards
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training, etc.). Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for written test and/or oral interview.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

UNHCR reserves the right to retain applications and consider external candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNHCR at the same grade or lower level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements on appointment of shorter duration (Temporary Appointment).

This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants. External Candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and must have either Ukrainian citizenship or local work permit.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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.