The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:        Assistant
Settlement Planning Officer (Entry Level UN Jobs)

Organisation: United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duty Station: Kampala,
Uganda

Vacancy Notice: Internal/ External Vacancy notice no. 016/2020

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: 24^th September 2020

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