CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Ethiopia
Closing date: 20 Feb 2015

Functional title: Physical Site Planner

Position Grade: P-3/Consultant

Location, Country:**Gambella, Ethiopia**

Deployment time-frame: Initially 3 months

Expected starting date: ASAP

Supervisor: Operations coordinator – Gambella

Application Deadline: 20^th February 2015

Background:

The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has led to the current refugee crisis in Ethiopia. At time of writing, over 194,000 refugees have been registered in Ethiopia from South Sudan. The refugees are currently being accommodated in camps, some existing and some new, while more sites are being sought and assessed in collaboration with Government counterparts in ARRA.

The last rainy season in Gambella caused havoc along the Leitchour-Axis with severe flooding in Liet-chour and Nipnip camps leading to significant displacement of refugees. Interagency flooding assessments were carried out and relocation plans developed as well as increased emergency shelter support.

Additional settlements are being identified to accommodate new arrivals as well as those displaced by flooding; detailed assessments are on-going. The Sub Office in Gambella requires continuation of support to handle shelter matters so as to effectively respond to the emergency which is now compounded by the flooding.

Accountability:

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

Duties and responsibilities

1) Provide specialized shelter and settlement support to ensure technical integrity while providing emergency assistance to population of concern;

2) Conduct technical feasibility / assessment studies for identification of adequate refugee sites in close coordination with the Ethiopian Refugee Authorities (ARRA), Local Authorities at Provincial, District and Divisional levels, as well as with the concerned line Ministries and implementing partners;

3) 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 refugee 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 during the site planning;

4) Develop, in close coordination with implementing partners and other concerned parties, site plans and their implementation modalities, including construction of communal infrastructures (latrines, water points, etc.), taking into account overall needs of target groups, their cultural preferences and the concerns of the local communities keeping in mind policy priorities of UNHCR, such as environmental issues;

5) Supervise the construction activities for the development of the site by contractors and implementing partners, including site clearance, roads, culverts, etc.;

6) Coordinate with the affected committees, Local Authorities and other partners the identification of potential needs related to shelter and NFIs and ensure that NFIs need identification/distribution is coordinated among all the actor;

7) Coordinate provision of technical inputs for formulation of project submissions to address the needs, taking into consideration the technical standards (UNHCR/ Sphere/ National) and UNHCR protection mandate and policy priorities, such as environment, women and children, with specific needs etc.

8) Work in close coordination with the Site and Shelter Team, and undertake recruitment of national site engineers as required;

9) 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, and work in close coordination with the Physical Planner and Geographical Information System (GIS) Expert based in the Regional Hub in Nairobi for issues concerning GPS points and mapping of refugee sites;

10) Assist UNHCR office with any other shelter and settlement related issues as required by the Supervisor;

11) Advise on the matters related to procurement of sector-related materials or equipment (including development and preparation of technical specifications for bid documents, technical evaluation of bids, review/inspect quality of the products/works as requested), and assist in fund raising efforts (provision of information and preparation of project proposals, and participation in negotiations) and other publicity endeavors;

12) Develop the shelter strategies to meet the ongoing needs of refugees, taking into account the preferences of the beneficiaries, local construction practices and available materials. Plan and supervise the maintenance and upgrading of family shelters in order to improve standards;

13) Provide support to relevant sectors in the market analysis of locally available construction materials and skills, promoting the use of local capacity as appropriate;

14) Regularly liaise and maintain close working relationship with Sector Specialists at Branch Office, Regional Support Hub and SSS at Headquarters through different coordination and information sharing mechanisms;

15) Ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of site planning and shelter activities, providing inputs for situation reports and reporting back to the country office and headquarters on progress and standards.

Education:

University degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering, or recognized equivalent

Experience:

· At least 8 years relevant experience in the related field, including collaboration with different humanitarian organizations (Field experience in responding to emergencies working with relevant governmental technical departments and various organizations in identifying, designing, delimiting, clearing and developing land allocated to establish site camps.

· Proven 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.)

Other requirements

· 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, CAD-drafting software (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD etc.) and GIS (MapInfo, Global Mapper, ArcGIS, Google Earth, etc.) and other relevant software to produce digital maps, site plans, layout and technical drawings.

· Excellent knowledge of English

· Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

How to apply:

How to apply

To apply please submit your P11 and cover letter to HQShelter@unhcr.org by 20th February 2015. Please ensure you indicate the job title and posting location in the subject matter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.