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.

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

Operational context:

The deteriorating security situation in neighbouring Nigeria, especially in the federal states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa border with Cameroon, has caused an increased influx of Nigerian refugees into the far north region of Cameroon where Minawao refugee camp is located.

The camp population has increased from approximately 14, 000 last September to over 30,000 now.

This is as a direct result of transfers organized by UNHCR to meet the request of the Cameroonian authorities to transfer all Nigerian refugees from the border villages for safety and security reasons.

Currently it’s estimated there is a gap of 2,823 family shelters required to be built to meet the immediate need.

Responsibilities:

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

2) Conduct technical feasibility studies for identification of adequate refugee / IDP sites in close coordination with 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) 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 actors.

6) 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.

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

8) 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.

9) 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

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

11) 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.

Experience

· At least 8years 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.

· 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.)

Other requirements

· Capacity to work with multi sectorial teams Cultural sensitivity to the specific needs of the persons of concern.

· Due to current security requirements, there may be a need for the selected candidate to be able to blend into the host environment.

· Willingness and ability to work in hardship environments.

· Computer literacy in MS Office and other relevant software to produce digital maps, site plans, layout and technical drawings.

· Excellent working knowledge of French is essential. English would be an asset.

How to apply:

How to apply

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Organization: Danish Refugee Council
Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 28 Nov 2014

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for a Site Improvement Planner with overall responsibility to define general camp/PoC layout and ensure the physical demarcation is implemented, and to provide technical support to the other agencies/contractors when necessary.

Who are we?

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is providing assistance to conflict affected populations, through our presence and operations in most major humanitarian emergencies. In support of our objective to continue delivering high quality assistance, DRC is offering the opportunity for motivated, experienced and dedicated professionals, to join one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGO’s.

Since the outbreak of violence in South Sudan in December 2013, fighting has continued despite several attempts at a peace agreement. Currently 1.4 million people have been displaced from their homes and tens of thousands killed. 95,000 civilians are currently seeking refuge inside UNMISS bases across the country. DRC has been working, since the start of the crisis, providing camp management in three locations, Bentiu in Unity State, Malakal and Melut in Upper Nile states. In addition to this DRC is managing refugee camps in Ajoung Thok, Unity State and Maban, Upper Nile State.

About the job

The Site Improvement Planner, under the management of the Camp Manager and in close collaboration with the Camp Operation Manager, has the responsibilities to define the general camp/PoC layout and ensure the physical demarcation is implemented, in coordination with other agencies. All physical work/infrastructure construction occurring in the camps/PoCs are coordinated/ regulated in respect to general camp layout. This position is also supervised and monitored by the contractors and/or other agencies responsible for implementing site planning/layout and drainage related work. In terms of reporting, the Site Improvement Planner provides the regular technical reporting and updates to his/her line manager and other stakeholders (CCCM cluster/UNMISS). He/she also provides the technical support to the agencies/contractors, problem identification and solving.

Duties and Responsibilities

Participation in the design of general camps/PoCs layout and produce/update mapping:

· Provide data and information about humanitarian services that should be integrated in the camp layout

· Support and participate in technical planning working groups

· Supervise and manage field teams doing the physical demarcation on site

· Provide general mapping of camp layout and identify strategic infrastructure (hospital, school, latrines, etc.)

· Train GPS data collection and monitor and keep an updated database of these

· Ensure that appropriate counterparts and stakeholders are consulted on all works (e.g. community representative).

Coordinate and regulate work and construction of infrastructure:

· Act as a focal point for all land requests for construction of infrastructure; put system in place to record, liaise and support agencies land requirements

· Ensure coordinated assessment of land is done before prior decision to provide new plot

· Provide and ensure land/earth work requirements are respected (e.g. avoid impact on drainage and road)

· Coordinate between contractors and UNMISS engineering section.

Supervise agency and/or contractor implementing the site planning work:

· Manage the planning and implementation of site works

· Monitor the progress of works according to contract schedules, specifications, and project plans

· Provide support and guidance to contractors and assist in resolving site problems as necessary

· Follow up at project sites in order to identify problems, and propose appropriate solutions through application of sound engineering standards in consultation with the camp manager.

Monitoring and reporting; In charge of all technical reporting as required:

· Prepare on a weekly basis progress reports for the camp manager on construction activities according to the agreed timeframe of works

· Supervise local contractors assigned to the project, and assign and monitor contractor’s duties during the works

· Maintain diaries and compile periodic reports and any specific reports required by the camp manager

· Develop and maintain a database of the available items shipped and delivered to the project

· Assess the work activities of contractors, measure completed work, and make recommendations to the camp manager for payments to contractors.

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

Mandatory qualifications:

· Degree or higher level in civil engineering/site planning

· 5 years of experience in similar position in humanitarian sector and/or private sector

· Proven experienced of directly conducting and monitoring field work (supervising heavy machinery operator, etc.)

· Proven experience in coordinating multiple stakeholders, preferably in a camp settings

· Proven experience in building infrastructure and roads, bridges and culvert, as well as basic semi-permanent structure

· Proficient in GPS data recording and mapping

· Fluent in spoken and written English

· Experience in working in an insecure area with limited recreational facilities.

Preferable qualification:

· Prior experience in South Sudan

· Prior experience with DRC

· Prior experience in working in camp settings

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a five months contract with a three month probation period. You must be available to start work immediately and be willing and able to work in comfortable but basic accommodation. The position is at A10 in DRC’s salary scale. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk/Vacancies.

Need further information?

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk

How to apply:

Interested? Go to www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies/ and find the position on the list. Then apply for it by clicking on the apply button.

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk

Applications close 28th November, 2014.***Please note, as this position is urgent, applicants may be shortlisted and interviewed prior to the closing date.*

Organization: Agriconsulting
Country: Egypt
Closing date: 05 Oct 2014

Agriconsulting is looking for a Environmental Planner for the EU funded project “Technical Assistance for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy in Egypt”.

Qualifications and skills

– University degree in Water Resources, Water Engineering or a related and relevant field, preferably at Master's level.

– Additional advanced professional qualification is an asset.

– He/she shall be proficient in English.

– Good knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.

– Experience to work and dialogue with Government executive officers through at least one international funded project.

General professional experience

– Minimum experience of 10 years in Environmental Assessment, Coastal Zone Management or relevant fields.

– Experience in water resources planning in Egypt and North Africa region in at least one project in the last 10 years (2004 onwards) would be an asset ;

Specific professional experience

– Minimum 7 years works experience (or PhD degree with 5 years of experience); with particular focus on coastal planning ; and

– Demonstrated expertise in at least one project in the last 10 years (2004 onwards) designing/implementing ICZM development strategies and an understanding of shoreline planning and interconnection with partner agencies in developing countries.

The assignment should start in January 2015 and the period of implementation will be of 400 w/d over 29 months.

How to apply:

Interested people can apply by submitting their CV to Mrs Letizia Alimonti (l.alimonti@agriconsulting.it).

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted back.