Job Requisition Type
Evergreen (Formerly known as talent pools, in order to have a balanced number of ready-to-hire candidates who can be deployed at short notice to a vacancy that best matches their skills. Evergreens are primarily used to fill Temporary Appointments.)
Call for applications - Settlement Planner, P3
Location: Various location
Why should you join us?
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.
Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including protection, community services, shelter, WASH, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact.
How can you make a difference?
The Settlement Planning Officer provides specialised support to emergency and protracted operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements to host forcibly displaced, while taking into consideration the needs of their hosting communities. 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 in an integrated and holistic manner that fosters protection outcomes. 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 incumbent will also participate and represent UNHCR in negotiations with national and local government authorities regarding land acquisition and site development works.
The Settlement Planning Officer (SPO) 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 Area of Responsibility (AoR).
Key responsibilities and duties:
Coordinate assessments, analysis and joint inter-sector needs assessment exercises in accordance with the Master Plan approach to settlement planning taking into consideration protection concerns, national legislation, environmental and climate change considerations, appropriate density, and access to basic services including water, hydrological concerns, socio/economic issues, and cultural inclusion and HLP matters.
Develop settlement layouts that respond to natural topography and drainage patterns of the site to reduce construction and maintenance costs.
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 in the process of Implementation Partner Selection.
Provide support in Preparedness through the provision of technical inputs in the development of contingency plans for population movements. Provide support in developing and updating agreed response strategies for sites where forcibly displaced will be transiting/hosted, including transition/exit strategy for site consolidation and closures.
Liaise with relevant authorities and government counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership. Develop settlement plans that are aligned with regional, national land use plans and planned developments.
Perform other related duties as required
Who are we looking for?
Candidates with 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.
Requirements
Managerial and technical ability to guide a specialist team in emergency and/or protracted situations. Previous similar job experience in the humanitarian settlement planning / infrastructure field, knowledge of technical drawing software, GIS tools and an ability to produce technical plans, BQ’s, specifications and conduct training.
Advantage
Advanced awareness of several technical sectors. Appropriate work experience in Shelter, Settlements and Infrastructure in a Humanitarian Context. Ability to use AutoCAD software and GIS technology would be an asset.
For a more detailed description, please review the job description:
Settlement Planning Officer
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
UNHCR’s workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. We seek to sustain and strengthen this diversity and to ensure equal opportunities, as well as an inclusive working environment, for our entire workforce. Joining us means living, sharing and promoting these core values of inclusion, diversity and gender equality.
Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.