South Sudan: Physical Site Planner

Current Situation

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent of the position is expected to carry out survey, recommend and plan for camp sites in coordination with government and all relevant stake holders/authorities. The incumbent is expected to ensure shelter needs for the persons of concern meet the relevant Technical Standards and good practice. The incumbent will also coordinate training events on shelter activities and work closely with the multi-functional team in the service delivery to the persons of concern. The incumbent should have CCCM work experience to provide leadership on shelter issues, follow up on agency responsibilities and coordinate with other CCCM co lead agencies. In the support role, the incumbent will assist other CCCM members with acquiring data and participate in the Shelter Advisory group (SAG) and also the Inter Cluster Working Group (ICWG) on shelter and site planning issues.

Desirable Attributes

• 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.
• Training and capacity building of implementing and governmental partners;

Strong motivation, commitment, hard-working, dynamism, persistence.

• Creativity and openness to innovation. Ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges;

Working & Living Conditions

• Juba is the capital city of South Sudan and is classified as an E¿, non-family duty station with basic infrastructure and limited leisure facilities. All staff resides at UNHCR provided accommodation.
• Mental robustness is needed to avoid becoming demoralized by the often unreasonable demands, criticism and aggressive behaviour of refugees, returnees, IDPs and host community.
• There are limited medical facilities in Juba. Therefore, staff assigned must be in good health. Candidates with conditions that would require regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised.

Security Considerations

• SSAFE Training: Undertaken in the in last 3 years
• Juba is categorized as security Level III, with a UN imposed curfew from 19.00 hours.

Additional Factors

• Incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Representative

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Physical Site Planner is based in the UNHCR, Juba office and performs functions related to physical planning, shelter and engineering infrastructure. The incumbent works under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, and in coordination with other colleagues working in the field. The position requires regular contact with programme, protection and field staff in country in order to ensure technical support related to shelter and construction activities.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability:

• UNHCR's country operation is technically sound in the field of site planning and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
• Selection of IDP and other POC sites are based on approved technical guidelines, giving full consideration to relevant factors like land availability, accessibility, security, water resources and absorption capacity.

Responsibility:

• Conduct technical feasibility studies for identification of adequate IDP and other POC sites in close coordination with Local Authorities at Provincial, District and Divisional levels, as well as with the concerned line Ministries and implementing partners.
• 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.
• 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.

Ensure that sites designs take into consideration protection oriented issues related to gender based violence and women and children needs. The security/privacy of women and children, the adequate location of latrines, of communal services, and of distribution areas have also to be addressed.

• Coordinate with IDP 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.
• Work in close coordination with all functional Units in UNHCR (Protection, Programme, Community Services, Field, Administration, and Supply) for all issues related to protection, refugee 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.
• Assist the programme section by analysing budgetary implications of technical components, as well as the technical integrity of our interventions in the camps and in the IDP and other POC -affected areas.
• Act as a focal point in the areas of physical planning, shelter and, Provide regular technical report to the Supervisor, and to other colleagues as appropriate.
• 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 endeavours.
• Perform other related functions as required.

Authority:

• Enforce technical strategies, protocols and guidelines.
• Represent UNHCR in meetings and fora related to the functions.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• University degree in Architecture or Civil-Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively relevant professional working experience in the related field in developing countries, professional experience in the areas of rural development, natural resources and environmental management.
• Prior experience of implementing shelter and settlement projects in humanitarian context and large scale emergencies coordinating with operational partners governmental technical departments.
• Prior experience in designing and implementing a shelter strategy, including host family situations, collective shelter and camp settings, in emergency while considering the transition to more sustainable solutions.
• Project formulation, planning, supervision and management skills.
• Familiarity with and considerable Field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation and on humanitarian operations.
• Strong analytical, drafting and diplomatic skills, and proficient in basic computer software's, including engineering (AutoCAD) and site planning design tools (GPS).
• Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Experience in all disciplines of civil engineering, rural settlement development.
• Emergency management and environmental planning.
• Ability making the linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in a second UN language, preferably Arabic, would be an asset.

Please note that the closing date for applications is Monday 5 May 2014 (midnight Geneva time). All applications should be done online on the following link http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4dca99626.html