Associate Settlement Planning Officer

Mission and objectivesLe Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) a pour mandat de diriger et de coordonner l’action internationale visant à protéger les réfugiés. Il a pour but premier de sauvegarder les droits et le bien être des réfugiés. Il met en œuvre ses programmes de protection dans le monde entier et sensibilise le grand public à la situation des personnes réfugiées dans le monde. Le HCR Mauritanie fournit protection et assistance à quelque 65 000 réfugiés maliens dans la région aride du sud-est où se trouve le camp de réfugiés de Mbera, et à quelque 9 000 réfugiés urbains et demandeurs d'asile dans les villes de Nouakchott et Nouadhibou. La situation sécuritaire au Mali est toujours instable et des retours à grande échelle ne sont pas attendus. Les Maliens continuent d'arriver en Mauritanie dans le cadre de flux de population mixtes.

ContextMauritania is a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. A draft law on asylum is still pending. Despite this, the Mauritanian authorities are determined to maintain an open-border policy towards refugees. Mauritania currently hosts close to 280,000 refugees, including around 20,000 in urban areas and over 115,000 in the Mbera camp and surrounding villages in the Hodh Chargui region. In support of the Mauritanian government and in the absence of a national asylum system, UNHCR continues to register asylum seekers and determine refugee status. The UNHCR operation in Mauritania has a staff of around 180, divided between a country office in Nouakchott, two sub-offices in Bassikounou and Nouadhibou, and a field unit in Néma. The objectives and initiatives of the UNHCR operation in Mauritania are aligned with UNHCR's global strategic priorities for 2017-2021 and the Global Compact for Refugees. The Mauritania operation thus focuses on the core priorities of protection and response, but also on those aimed at ensuring sustainable livelihood solutions for people of concern. Under Objective 2, \"Include, Empower and Solve\", the UNHCR operation in Mauritania carries out advocacy and initiatives aimed at including refugees in national protection systems. These include social protection, health, water and sanitation, urbanization, education and access to employment. The operation also implements initiatives to ensure peaceful coexistence between host communities and refugees, with a particular focus on young people. The results and impact of these initiatives will contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 17, as well as the objectives of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and the government’s pledges at the Global Refugee Forums of 2019 and 2023, in particular to alleviate pressure on the host country and empower refugees.

Task DescriptionUnder the supervision of the Senior Development Officer, the Associate Settlement Planning Officer (ASPO) will perform a variety of functions related to the design, management and coordination of humanitarian settlement and infrastructure projects across various settlement typologies. This will be done within the context of The Masterplan Approach to Settlement Planning, the Operational Strategy of Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability, the Shelter and Sustainability Guide and the Sphere Standards. Working in coordination with other colleagues in the field such as, protection, health, community services, WASH, livelihoods, education, energy and environment, the incumbent acts as focal point for maintaining effective coordination with any established settlement sector working group. In addition, s/he is responsible for the strategic management and monitoring of the implementation of settlement and urban planning (for the region of Hodh Chargui, Mberra camp and out-of-camp) activities, and for collaboration with Administration, Finance and Programme on all programmatic issues. S/he shall be working closely with other sections on settlement and general infrastructure related activities and provides functional technical guidance to the team as well as to the technical experts in the Field. Capacity development for geodata management and site planning to increase resilience of communities, including climate change adaptation and access to basic services. The ASPO provides specialised support to emergency and protracted operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements to host forcibly displaced people to UNHCR. A settlement should take into consideration the spatial allocation of functions while addressing the needs of the population, the availability of resources, the enhancement of living conditions, the provision of services, enhancing transportation networks as well as provision of recreational spaces. The incumbent will therefore be expected to analyse a variety of settlement options urban, rural, formal or informal and ensure that spatial allocation of lands is decided in support of the protection, access to basic services, livelihoods, and socio-cultural life of displaced people and the host community. The ASPO will ensure that management of multi-sectorial assistance and services in refugee sites are handled effectively and efficiently among all the stakeholders, through a strong collaboration with the Field unit and relevant field staff. The incumbent will contribute in inter-agency coordination structures set up for settlement planning and land related issues within the description of tasks. Relatedly, the ASPO will contribute to capacity development for geodata management and site planning to increase resilience of communities, including climate change adaptation and access to basic services. The ASPO should maintain regular communication with the Technical Support Section in HQ for technical advice, information, communication and access to updated global tools and resources. Technical Guidance • Conduct assessments and ensure selection of potential sites is done in accordance with the Master Plan approach to settlement planning taking into consideration protection concerns, national legislation, environmental considerations, appropriate density, and access to basic services including water, hydrological concerns, socio/economic issues, cultural inclusion and HLP matters. • Ensure that settlement layouts respond to natural topography and drainage patterns of the site to reduce construction and maintenance costs. • Ensure that safe and equitable access to basic services is provided for both the displaced and host communities while making particular emphasis on meaningful inclusion of the site community groups (women, youth, elderly and persons with specific needs) in decision-making processes including through governance structures and sectorial focal points. • Work with the relevant technical, programme and supply colleagues in close coordination with implementing and other concerned parties to develop implementation modalities and work plans for the settlement plans. Provide technical inputs and advice to Programme in the process of Implementation Partner Selection and review of PPAs of all sector related partners and partners with construction related activities in their budget. • Provide support in Preparedness through the development of contingency plans for population movements. Develop and update agreed response strategies (MPAs and APAs) for refugee sites, including transition/exit strategy for site consolidation and closures within the AOR. • In close consultation with partners, conduct assessments, provide concrete initiatives and develop specific strategies to make sure that residential areas, key services and infrastructure are not susceptible to the risk of natural hazards such as flash floods and landslides. Coordination and Leadership • Provide strong leadership in ensuring that UNHCR’s operation within the AOR is technically sound in the field of settlement planning to best meet the needs of the displaced populations. • Liaise with Government, line ministries and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership. Ensure that settlement plans are aligned with regional, national land use plans and planned developments.

Competencies and valuesProfessionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarksBasic needs such as housing, medical care, banking services and telecommunications are covered in Nouakchott. Staple foods such as rice, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables can be found in supermarkets. Numerous imported products are also available in the city. Nouakchott is not prone to traffic jams, and it's easy to get around by private or shared cab. Alcohol consumption is illegal in Mauritania. Mauritania is considered a stable country in terms of security. The situation in the Sahel, particularly in neighboring Mali, nevertheless exposes the country to the risk of infiltration by violent armed groups, likely to carry out actions (kidnapping, attacks) against individuals resident in Mauritania. In this context, it is advisable to maintain the utmost vigilance and to refer to security instructions such as those transmitted by UNDSS. This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.