Vacancies

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CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on: 13 October 2015

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) has provided technical access, guidance and on-site assistance to know-how for supporting sustainable urbanization practices with a focus on risk reduction on housing and public infrastructure, and resilience building to city governments, NGOs, UN, Local and National authorities, and Communities in Southern Africa. The Programme is currently implementing a range of projects focusing on mainstreaming risk reduction into territorial planning, on shelter/housing, public infrastructure, and urban resilience in Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi, most noticeably the implementation of the Contributing to reduce shelter vulnerability in Zambézia Province by improving construction practices, techniques and spatial planning on realocation areas and the implementation of the Cities Alliance (CA): Enhancing the Planning Capacities of Cities in the Nacala Corridor (Nampula, Nacala and Tete) project.

An international Architect & Urban Planner who is familiar with the subject and with experience in the field is needed to implement and support the technical team in Mozambique, assisting in the delivery of the DIPECHO IV project, provide backstopping to the Early Recovery shelter activities in coordination with IOM and support the delivery of the Cities Alliance Project work-plan in 2015 and 2016, including implementation and reporting of key activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme of UN-Habitat Mozambique and in coordination with the DRR Coordinator and the Sub-Regional Focal Point for Urban Resilience, the consultant will lead the implementation of the hazards adaptive architectural components in DIPECHO IV, to support Shelter Cluster partners and the Cites Alliance component projects in Mozambique. During the consultancy period, the DRR Architect and Urban Planner consultant will be expected to accomplish as follows activities:

• As part of the DIPECHO IV/ Adaptive DRR architecture and Early Recovery Shelter activities (IOM):

1. To support the team on the implementation of demonstrative alternative architectural models and constructions, with special focus on the preparation of disaster resistant school reconstruction, disaster adaptive housing and community infrastructure models. To elaborate the technical documentation material such as term of references, bills of quantity, AoCs and contracts for these activities.

2. To coordinate the final edition and publication of the Sub-regional Study on Adaptive Architecture on Disaster Risk Reduction prepared by UN-Habitat within DIPECHO across Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi.

3. To deliver on-the-job trainings sessions on shelter based on practical lessons on building-back better practices fitted to local construction techniques in affected flood areas of Zambézia province, and to prepare five cadastral maps on different reallocation neighbourhood within IOM agreement

• Under the Enhancing the Planning Capacities of Cities in the Nacala Corridor (Cities Alliance) Project:

1. Technical assistance in the area of physical planning and sustainable urban development in the Nacala Corridor (especially in the fast-growing Nampula, Nacala and Tete Cities) to create the conditions necessary to institutionalize the PSU as a self-standing, autonomous entity.

2. Assist and provide technical support in the Urban Resilience induction trainings in the intervention cities based on the Cities Alliance Normative Framework;

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of practical disaster risk reduction architecture and adaptation. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Knowledge or understanding of countries in transition (especially Mozambique) and adaptation related challenges and priorities. Ability to conduct data collection and technical assessment using various methods, including field missions and interviews. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Judgment/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

EDUCATION

Advanced University Degree, (Master's degree or equivalent) in Architecture and Urban Planning or related field of study, with a focus on development issues. A first university degree with a combination of at least six years professional experience in the field of Adaptive Architecture and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 6 years of working experience with relevant knowledge of housing/public building construction and reconstruction in flood, cyclone, earthquake and drought-prone areas;
• At least 6 years of architectural working experience in developing countries.
• In-depth knowledge of the context of Mozambique;
• Working experience in disaster risk reduction construction works;
• Working experience in School design and construction and/or Emergency education;
• Working technical expertise and experience using GIS application at a medium/advanced level, 3D Modeling programs, CADs and ArcGIS.
• Experience in working with high level Institution representatives, Ministries, Academia and National or Local Authorities.
• Willingness to extensive field travel. Exposure to and working experience in small towns and rural areas, including public consultation and community involvement and capacity to deal with local community representatives and local builders

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Fluent in Portuguese is a must and working knowledge of English.

OTHER SKILLS

• The post will covered extended field work in
• Experience of at least 3 years in the technical assistance and supervision in the rehabilitation and construction of civil works;
• Good communication and negotiations skills with government authorities and local communities at the provincial and district levels;
• Good reporting and presentation skills and fluency in English and Portuguese
• Computer skills (with good skills in EXCEL, AutoCAD) including internet navigation and various office equipment; and
• Knowledge of standard supervising engineering equipment (e.g. GPS),
• Ability to work productively in a multicultural environment and willingness to work in difficult conditions;

REMUNERATION

The total fee (8 months) will have to be determined as well as DSA entitlement. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

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