The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:        Assistant
Settlement Planning Officer

Organisation: United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duty Station: Kampala,
Uganda

Vacancy Notice: Internal/ External Vacancy notice no. 010/2020

Position Number: 10033673

Position Grade: NO-A

About US:

The Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14,
1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCR’s mandate under the Statute
of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to lead
and co-ordinate action for international protection to refugees; seek permanent
solutions for the problems of refugees and safeguard refugee rights and
well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate concerning issues of statelessness,
as it is given a designated role under Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the
Reduction of Statelessness.

Job Summary:  The Assistant Settlement Planning Officer provides support to emergency
and protracted operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements
to host people of concern (POC) to UNHCR. A settlement should take into
consideration the risks associated with settlement locations, 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.

The incumbent will
therefore be expected to provide support to the supervisor in analysing the
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. S/he will also assist in negotiations with national and
local government authorities regarding land acquisition and site development
works.

The Assistant
Settlement Planning Officer liaises and co-ordinates UNHCR settlement and
construction related activities within the area of responsibility (AoR), in
accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities and maintains contacts with the
local officials and implementing partners to discuss and share information on
the assessment of infrastructure conditions in refugee-hosting areas.

The incumbent should
maintain regular communication with the shelter and settlement team in HQ for
technical advice, information, communication and access to updated global tools
and resources.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

Technical Guidance

·       
Provide
support in conducting assessments, analysis and joint inter-sector needs
assessment exercises as appropriate, and selection of potential sites 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, and cultural inclusion and
HLP matters.

·       
Draft
settlement layouts, block plans and specific site plans 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 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
technical guidance, supervision and monitoring of settlement plan
implementation during plot allocation, infrastructure set up, site location of
health facilities, schools, distribution centres, woodlots etc.

·       
Conduct
regular monitoring of settlement and infrastructure works, with the help of
adequate project management tools, so these are implemented according to plans
and completed within designated timelines and budget and ensure that this
information is captured in reports shared with the supervisor.

·       
In close
consultation with partners, assist in conducting assessments, providing
concrete initiatives and drafting 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

·       
Provide
support in ensuring that UNHCR’s operation within the AOR is technically sound
in the field of settlement planning to best meet the needs of POC.

·       
Liaise
with relevant authorities and government counterparts to ensure strong
coordination and partnership.

·       
Draft
settlement plans that are aligned with regional, national land use plans and
planned developments.

·       
Participate
in the process of site selection and land negotiations with the local
government, local community leaders and the landlords for the settlements
within the AOR. In doing this, ensure that the risk of conflict linked to land
tenure is addressed and mitigated while continuing to pursue actions that
increase the security of tenure for displaced populations.

·       
Actively
support the development and implementation of Settlement plans in a
consultative process with Senior Management, relevant technical colleagues,
implementing partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

·       
Draft
Settlement Master Plans in alignment with the UNHCR guiding principles of the
Master Plan Approach to Settlement Planning. Provide periodic updates on the
Masterplan taking note of the expansion and densification of the settlement and
develop plans for any settlement extensions.

·       
Work
together with implementing and operational partners to ensure the use of common
standards and tools for information collection and data management, including
in needs assessments and monitoring.

Collaboration

·       
Collaborate
and coordinate with all functional units in UNHCR and relevant technical actors
in the feasibility and technical assessments, planning and development of
sites, including protection, environment, health, education, water and
sanitation.

·       
In
coordination with relevant focal persons and technical colleagues, provide
support in carrying out appropriate assessments and mapping exercises such as
environmental impact assessment, useable land area assessment, mapping of
services, mapping of host communities, livelihood assessments, etc.

·       
Promote
the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues (e.g. age, environment,
gender, and human rights) in sector/inter-sector needs assessments, analysis,
planning and monitoring.

·       
Support
active participation of communities and promotion of community-based approaches
in the planning and implementation of settlement and masterplan activities.

·       
Develop
regular reports and share information, both within the settlement planning
stakeholders and with other sectors through inter-sector communication
channels. Work on the reporting and monitoring through the provision of inputs
for the 4W, SIP and site monitoring information.

·       
Promote
and ensure the accountability to affected populations and the identification of
durable solutions that also promote peaceful co/existence with the host
communities.

·       
Provide
equitable access to basic services for both the displaced and host communities
while making 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.

·       
Perform
other related duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       
The
ideal candidate for the United Nations UNHCR Assistant Settlement Planning
Officer job placement should have completed an Undergraduate degree in civil
engineering; construction; urban planning, architecture; or other relevant
field. Required.

·       
One year
of relevant experience is required.

·       
Good
knowledge of basic computer software including engineering design tools is
required.

·       
Excellent
knowledge of English language is required.

·       
Experience
in all disciplines of Civil Engineering, Rural Settlement Development,
Emergency Management and Environmental Planning, and ability to make the
linkages to rehabilitation and development programmes is desirable

·       
Empowering
and Building Trust

·       
Judgement
and Decision Making

·       
Analytical
Thinking

·       
Innovation
and Creativity

·       
Planning
and Organizing

How to Apply:

All interested
Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the
link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job
details.

Click
Here

Deadline: 25^th June 2020

For more of the
latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Related Jobs