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Job Title:   Associate Settlement Planning Officer (Fresher UN Jobs)

Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

 

About the Company:

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 Associate Settlement Planning Officer works under the overall supervision of a more senior settlement planning colleague, Technical Coordinator, Programme Officer or the Head of Office. The incumbent works in coordination with other colleagues in the field, in particular, protection, health, community services, water and sanitation, energy and environment, camp management, etc… In addition to settlement planning, the incumbent may also assist with the functions in the areas of infrastructure design, implementation and site selection. S/he acts as focal point for maintaining effective coordination with any established settlement / shelter sector working group at her / his particular level. In addition, s/he is responsible for the strategic management and monitoring of the implementation of settlement planning activities, and for collaboration with Administration, Finance and Programme on all programmatic issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). 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.

 

The Associate 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 Associate 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.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

 

The Associate Settlement Planning Officer role is critical in supporting the effective planning, design, and development of safe, sustainable, and well-serviced settlements for populations of concern (POC) to UNHCR. Working under the overall supervision of a senior settlement planning colleague, Technical Coordinator, Programme Officer, or the Head of Office, the incumbent operates within a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with field colleagues across protection, health, community services, water and sanitation, energy, environment, and camp management sectors.

 

In this role, the Associate Settlement Planning Officer is tasked with analyzing and implementing settlement options that accommodate the unique needs of both displaced populations and host communities. Responsibilities include designing settlement plans that consider risk mitigation, resource availability, and accessibility to essential services. The role also encompasses broader infrastructure design and site selection, supporting emergency response and long-term settlement stability while aligning with strategic protection goals.

 

The incumbent acts as the focal point for coordinating with established settlement and shelter sector groups and works closely with partners in Administration, Finance, and Programme sections on programmatic issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). This role requires close collaboration with local government authorities and other stakeholders, including implementing partners, to ensure the infrastructure aligns with operational priorities and local requirements. Further, the incumbent is responsible for liaising with HQ’s shelter and settlement team, ensuring access to updated global tools, technical advice, and communication resources.

 

Key aspects of the role include:

• Supporting settlement and infrastructure planning and development in urban, rural, formal, and informal settings.
• Ensuring that spatial allocations within settlements prioritize protection, access to services, livelihoods, and social integration.
• Assisting in negotiations with authorities for land acquisition and site development.
• Regularly assessing infrastructure conditions in refugee-hosting areas and coordinating with local officials and partners to optimize resource allocation.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical Guidance

• Conduct assessments, analysis and joint inter-sector needs assessment exercises as appropriate, and provide support in 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.
• 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 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 provision of technical inputs in the development of contingency plans for population movements. Provide support in developing and updating 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

• 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. Develop settlement plans that are aligned with regional, national land use plans and planned developments.
• Provide support in the process of site selection and land negotiations with the national government, 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.
• Develop and implement Settlement plans in a consultative process with Senior Management, relevant technical colleagues, implementing partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Maintain, support or complement existing coordination mechanisms.
• Develop Settlement Master Plans in alignment with the UNHCR guiding principles of the Master Plan Approach to Settlement Planning. Ensure 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.
• Support and provide inputs in advocating for the mobilization of resources, where applicable. Identify core advocacy concerns for the sector and contribute key messages to the broader multi-sectoral advocacy initiatives including coordinated inputs into donor proposals and multi-agency appeals.
• Provide support to risk management, utilising adequate project management tools and conducting regular monitoring of settlement and infrastructure works so these are implemented according to plans and completed within designated timelines and budget, and ensure that this information is captured in the global monitoring and evaluation framework.

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, carry 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.
• Work to support active participation of communities and promotion of community-based approaches in the planning and implementation of settlement and masterplan activities.
• Develop adequate 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 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.
• Maintain a strong collaboration with the Shelter and Settlements Section in HQ.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Years of Experience / Degree Level: For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• Field(s) of Education: Civil Engineering; Construction; Architecture; Urban Planning; or other relevant field.
• Certificates and/or Licenses: Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience:

Essential

• Managerial and technical ability to support 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, undertake spatial analysis, site assessments and conduct training.

Desirable

• Advanced awareness of settlement planning best practice and guidance with basic understanding of several other technical sectors.
• Appropriate work experience in Shelter, Settlements and Infrastructure in a Humanitarian Context.

Functional Skills:

• PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
• SP-Urban/Rural Settlement Planning
• SP-Environment Planning
• SP-Reconstruction and Community Planning
• SP-Natural Resources Management
• SP-Environmental Assessment/Planning/Monitoring/Evaluation of integrated projects/programs
• *SP-Autocad for Settlement Planning
• IT-Computer Literacy
• SP-Infrastructure Development/Construction Management/Property Management
• (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements:

• For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• Competencies: Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

 

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should apply online at the link below

 

Click Here

 

Deadline: 29th November 2024

 

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