Assistant Settlement Planning Officer

Organizational Context

UNHCR Bangladesh hosts over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, with significant new arrivals. The government's policy limits long-term infrastructure and formal education, creating a constrained environment. Settlement planning must balance operational needs with safety, dignity, and climate resilience for refugees and host communities, aligning with UNHCR's strategies.

Job Purpose

The Assistant Settlement Planning Officer supports emergency and protracted operations by designing and developing sustainable settlements for people of concern. This involves analyzing settlement options, ensuring spatial allocation supports protection, basic services, livelihoods, and socio-cultural life for both displaced and host communities. The role assists in negotiations with authorities for land acquisition and site development, liaises with local officials and partners on infrastructure conditions, and maintains communication with HQ for technical guidance. The position aims to ensure UNHCR's settlement planning is technically sound, meets the needs of the displaced population, and aligns with UNHCR policies and priorities, while also considering environmental sustainability and community resilience.

Responsibilities

Provide technical guidance for assessments, analysis, and needs assessments, including site selection based on the Master Plan approach, considering protection, legislation, environment, density, and access to services. Draft settlement layouts, block plans, and site plans responsive to topography and drainage. Collaborate with technical, programme, and supply colleagues, and implementing partners to develop work plans and provide technical inputs for partner selection and PPAs. Offer technical guidance, supervision, and monitoring of settlement plan implementation, including plot allocation, infrastructure setup, and location of facilities. Conduct regular monitoring of settlement and infrastructure works using project management tools, ensuring timely and budget-compliant completion, and reporting findings. Coordinate UNHCR's settlement planning operations within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) to meet the needs of People of Concern (POC). Liaise with authorities and government counterparts for coordination and partnership. Draft settlement plans aligned with regional and national land use plans. Participate in site selection and land negotiations with local government, community leaders, and landlords, addressing land tenure risks and enhancing security. Support the development and implementation of Settlement plans through a consultative process with stakeholders. Draft Settlement Master Plans aligned with UNHCR guiding principles, providing updates on expansion and densification. Ensure the use of common standards and tools for data management and monitoring with partners. Collaborate with functional units and technical actors on assessments, planning, and development of sites, including protection, environment, health, education, and water/sanitation. Support assessments and mapping exercises like environmental impact assessments and service mapping. Promote integration of cross-cutting issues (age, environment, gender, human rights) in planning and monitoring. Support community participation and community-based approaches in settlement activities. Develop and share regular reports and inputs for 4W, SIP, and site monitoring. Promote accountability to affected populations and identify durable solutions promoting peaceful coexistence. Ensure equitable access to basic services for displaced and host communities, emphasizing inclusion of community groups in decision-making. Identify and manage risks, seize opportunities, and report issues to supervisors.

Work Experience

1 year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or a graduate degree with no experience. Desirable experience includes Civil Engineering, Rural Settlement Development, Emergency Management, Environmental Planning, and linking these to rehabilitation and development programs.

Skills

Basic computer software knowledge Engineering design tools Civil Engineering Rural Settlement Development Emergency Management Environmental Planning Programme Management Environment Planning Environmental Assessment/Planning/Monitoring/Evaluation Infrastructure Development/Construction Management Natural Resources Management Urban/Rural Settlement Planning

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