Physical Site Planner, Geneva

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Closing date: Sunday, 4 January 2015

Title:Physical Site Planner (P3 level)

Duty Station:Geneva

Organizational Sector: Shelter and Settlement Section

Duration of assignment: 01 February 2015 – 31 December 2015

General background: The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is currently seeking a Physical Site Planner to work within the Shelter and Settlement Section (SSS) at its Geneva headquarters. The role of the assignment is to assist the UNHCR Shelter and Settlement Section in delivering settlement physical planning, shelter and infrastructure related projects.

The Physical Site Planner will provide specialised support to SSS and global emergency operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements to host people of concern to UNHCR. Within the context of UNHCR's Global Strategy for Settlement and Shelter (2014-18)[1], a settlement should take into consideration the 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.

About the Shelter and Settlement Section: The Shelter and Settlement Section provides technical support to Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) operations around the world through the delivery of various services including:

  • · Developing strategies, technical guidelines and toolkits
  • · Steering implementation of the global strategy for settlement and shelter
  • · Designing, reviewing and commenting on site selection, physical planning, shelter and other infrastructure
  • · Researching and developing technical specifications for shelter and non-Food Items (NFIs) including tents, plastic sheeting and other shelter related items
  • · Carrying out research and development within the sector
  • · Undertaking technical support missions
  • · Develop and maintain shelter and physical planning training
  • · Deploying physical planning and shelter experts
  • · Developing learning materials, tools and training physical site planners and shelter officers
  • · Supporting the Emergency Shelter Cluster at global and country levels

Supervision, duties and responsibilities

  • Provide specialized support to field operations through technical shelter and settlement input related to site selection, physical planning, shelter and infrastructure with due consideration to any cross sectorial issue including protection, water, sanitation and environmental concerns
  • Undertake site planning missions as required. It is anticipated that the Physical Site planner will spend 40% of his/her time in the field.
  • 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 sites. Other factors such as national reserves, migration corridor, and flooding, possible conflict with local population have also to be taken into consideration when identifying potential settlement solutions.
  • Within an urban context, assess the structural safety of public buildings, measure the absorption capacity within a community for host arrangements while ensuring that humanitarian standards are met to ensure dignified living conditions.
  • Develop, in close coordination with implementing partners and other concerned parties, settlement plans and their implementation modalities, including construction/rehabilitation of communal infrastructures (latrines, water points, etc.), taking into account the overall needs of target groups, their cultural preferences and the concerns of the local communities.
  • Ensure that settlement designs take into consideration protection oriented issues such as sexual and gender based violence and the specific needs of women, men, girls and boys. The security and privacy of all people of concern, the adequate location of service facilities e.g. (sanitary/health/education), communal services and distribution areas should also be addressed.
  • Assist with the development of training materials and tools for settlement planning training.
  • Facilitate at settlement planning training workshops for UNHCR and its partners.
  • Develop standard reference site plans/shelter models for emergency, transition and durable solution phases in urban and rural settlements.
  • 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.
  • Participate in technical meetings and international forums as required.
  • Undertake any other responsibilities/ functions deemed necessary or as requested by supervising officer.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Education

  • University degree in Architecture or Civil-Engineering.

Job experience

  • Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with a Master's Degree or 8 years with a Bachelor's Degree.

Languages

  • Excellent communication skills including, fluency in written and spoken English. French is a considerable advantage.

Other requirements

  • Basic knowledge of other UN languages is an asset
  • Computer literacy in MS Office and other relevant software such as CAD, GIS, GPS usage, etc..
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently;
  • Flexibility, adaptability, a positive attitude and a good team player

How to apply

Please send your P11 and cover letter by e-mail to HQShelter@unhcr.org.

Applications must be received no later than 4 January 2015. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Apply here: http://reliefweb.int/job/766106/physical-site-planner-p3 

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