Mission and objectivesThe High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. UNHCRโs primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, the Office strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily. By assisting refugees to return to their own country or to settle permanently in another country, UNHCR also seeks lasting solutions to their plight. UNHCRโs Executive Committee and the UN General Assembly have authorized involvement with other groups. These include former refugees who have returned to their homeland; internally displaced people; and people who are stateless or whose nationality is disputed. The Office seeks to reduce situations of forced displacement by encouraging states and other institutions to create conditions which are conducive to the protection of human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes. In all of its activities, it pays particular attention to the needs of children and seeks to promote the equal rights of women and girls. The Office works in partnership with governments, regional organizations, international and non-governmental organizations. It is committed to the principle of participation, believing that refugees and others who benefit from the organizationโs activities should be consulted over decisions which affect their lives.
ContextThe Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of Operation Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Settlement Planning Officer will undertake the following tasks: โข Provide technical support related to shelter and settlement programs to facilitate the feasibility of setting up camps /settlements for forcibly displaced persons in accordance with international recognized criteria of accessibility including construction standards, fire safety, safer building technologies and more. โข Develop site planning and produce drawings (Master plan) including infrastructure based on field data collection using GPS. โข Ensure that shelter design takes into consideration protection concerns including secure and health living environment with privacy and dignity according to geographic context, climate, cultural practice, and habits as well as accessibility to adequate construction materials and local availability of skills within the affected population at large in any given location; โข Enhance UNHCR capacity to design and develop settlement that reduce forcibly displaced persons vulnerability taking into consideration the needs of the population, the availability of resources, economic dynamics, the amelioration of living condition, the provision of services and access to recreation spaces to address the needs of the community at large with the active involvement of affected population, partners, and all sectors. โข Ensure that technical factors related to natural resources, local law, land property and local communities land issues are included in any assessment. โข Provide cost estimations of technical activities, including development of bill of quantities for construction, rehabilitation works and perform other related duties as required. โข Develop adequate tools for monitoring activities and provide regular monitoring and evaluation reports including Contractor performance report, handover note to relevant authority, record of site meeting, project final acceptance inspection report among others. โข Work in close coordination with relevant local Government Ministries and relevant Departments to establish a strong network of individuals and agencies that can discuss, share experiences and collaborate on new initiatives to support the technical aspects of shelter programming; As a UNHCR team member, the Associate Settlement planning officer is an active individual with expertise and interest in all shelter and settlement technical programming aspects of humanitarian shelter and settlement response in support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: - Support the Country Operation to ensure that forcibly displaced persons and others of concern to UNHCR have the right to adequate shelter in all stages of displacement cycle prior to, during and after displacement. - Ensure that camp and settlement are planned in a multi-sectoral integrated manner including security of tenure, affordability, habitability, accessibility, location, cultural suitability and availability of services, materials as well as infrastructure. - Ensure access to safe and adequate shelter for women, girls, men and boys in each step of a shelter program considering different needs and โdo no harmโ principles.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and Flexibility โข Commitment to Continuous Learning โข Communication โข Integrity, Planning and Organizing โข Professionalism โข Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksLilongwe is a medium sized, peaceful and green city. It has limited opportunities in terms of shopping and entertainment, but the surrounding countryside and especially Lake Malawi provide good opportunities for holiday and weekend trips. Lilongwe has a small but lively expatriate community, which makes it easy to settle in. Housing options are limited but most of UN staff is able to find suitable accommodation within a few months after arrival. In general terms there is a very basic infrastructure as well as leisure and recreational facilities. Basic supplies are available in major cities. Good schools are available in Lilongwe. Lilongwe is a Family duty station categorized as a B. There have been reports of some incidents of criminality and assaults in Lilongwe, UNDSS has designated certain areas of Lilongwe where UN staff can live in. In general, with some minor precautions, it is possible to have a normal lifestyle. https://www.unv.org