Assistant Shelter/Site Planning Officer

FTA

Nov 1, 2019 (4 years ago) 0 Comments



Organizational Context 

The Assistant Shelter/Site Planning Officer conducts comprehensive sectoral needs assessments in liaison with other relevant sectors such as Protection, Programme, Community Services, Public Health, WASH, Administration and Supply. To ensure the most effective response, both quantitative and qualitative data should be gathered on the profile/needs and living conditions of both the displaced population and host communityClose and regular contact is also maintained with technical and non-technical staff of UN Agencies, Implementing Partners, and Shelter sector members, national and international NGOs and Government Authorities. The incumbent also discusses matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision.Specialized functions to be dealt with by the incumbent in this post include site/shelter planning/design and construction monitoring including remote monitoring, therefore the person should have a strong academic qualification in civil engineering, architecture or a related discipline.
 
The Assistant Shelter /Site Planning Officer also ensures that the development of shelter strategies takes into account the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection, available resources and skills. In addition, the incumbent ensures that shelter responses within the AoR evolve according to the changing nature of the situation, progressively working towards more durable solutions and drawing from local building practices and materials.
Within an urban context, it is essential that shelter responses take into consideration urban planning strategies, including an analysis or residential areas, housing affordability and availability. In addition, regardless of the context, shelter assistance should at all times minimize the risk of eviction, exploitation and abuse, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to services and unhygienic conditions. 
 
The Assistant Shelter/Site Planning Officer reports to Senior Programme Officer in UNHCR Branch Office, Addis Ababa. 
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. 

Responsibility 

  • Assist the supervisor in carrying out shelter and settlement needs assessments taking into account the current situation, projected population planning figures and the expected scale of returns and displacement.
  • Assist the supervisor in ensuring that specifications, bills of quantities and drawings are produced in a technically sound and standardised manner and monitor programme performance to ensure works are implemented according to plans and completed within the designated timeframe.
  • Oversee the day to-day operations of all construction projects within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to ensure that works proceed as designed and comply with established standards/best practices and procedures for the full project cycle.
  • Contribute to the development of the shelter strategies which are framed by UNHCR’s Global Strategy for Settlement and Shelter and take into consideration the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacities and existing infrastructure.
  • Assist the supervisor in providing clear guidance on standards and best practices for shelter and settlement, including minimum emergency standards to meet basic and essential needs.
  • Organise and provide trainings in construction techniques and practices leading to more durable solutions and drawing from local building practices and materials.
  • Promote the sustainability of technical interventions through local capacity building and self-help in collaboration with local partners in the field. Ensure that local communities have been consulted on all activities so as not to create unnecessary tension between the displaced and host populations.
  • Intervene with implementing partners on Shelter and general infrastructure issues.
  • Decide priorities in the designing of implementation plan.
  • Advise on implementing partners' selection.
  • Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all shelter standard operating procedures.
  • Enforce technical strategies, protocols and guidelines.
  • Perform other related duties as required. 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education & Professional Work Experience 

Years of Experience / Degree Level 

  • 1-year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education 

  • Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering or other relevant field. 

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:

  • Hands-on technical support including experience in assistance delivery in emergencies and relief operations. Knowledge of SPHERE standards and ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS receivers and computer equipment.

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of UNHCR system and operating modality. Understanding of the humanitarian architecture. 
Functional Skills 
  • IT-Computer Literacy
  • MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
  • SP-CAD/CAM Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing
  • SP-Sphere Handbook
  • MG-Crisis/Emergency Relief Management
  • SP-Shelter Assessment including survey/implementation/monitoring/evaluation/coordination
  • SP-Shelter and Site Planning Technical Guidelines and Standards
  • SP-AutoCAD software;
  • SP-Design tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS); 
Language Requirements
  • Knowledge of English and local language. 

Competency Requirements

Core Competencies:

  • Accountability
  • Communication
  • Organizational Awareness
  • Teamwork & Collaboration
  • Commitment to Continuous Learning
  • Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

  • Empowering and Building Trust
  • Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies:

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Technological Awareness
  • Political Awareness 

Submission of Applications 

This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only. 

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. 

IMPORTANT 

Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter, the most recent factsheet and the new updated P11 Form through the online application system following the below link. 

Candidates will be required to sit for a written test and interview.

Due to the volume of applications only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview. 

Former UNHCR General Service staff members, having held an Indefinite or FTA appointment for an uninterrupted period of at least one year may apply for internally advertised vacancies at their previous grade or equivalent or one grade above, if the seniority requirements are met, for a period of two years following separation. 

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