CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 30 June 2014
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
DRR Architect
DURATION:
6 months (132 Days)
CLOSING DATE:
08 July 2014
BACKGROUND
Since 2002 UN-Habitat Mozambique is advocating for a preventive approach to reduce risks of disasters in Human Settlements, through Adaptive Architecture and Planning and has developed a number of demonstrative floods, cyclones, drought and earthquake resistant buildings, with views to influence national strategy formulation and policy-making.
After a decade of piloting, there is now need to capitalize and ensure that proven practices turn into a community and institutional behavior in the area of basic infrastructure and shelter.
To this end, policy support based on evidence and demonstration on the ground must be developed. With these views, UN-Habitat in 2012 and 2013 has successfully carried out a Safer School Project financed by the World Bank, to revise the building codes, assess vulnerabilities, zones in the country and elaborate technical solutions resistant to disasters. This has now led to signing a Contribution agreement with UNICEF (April 2014) to support school resilience activities in Zambézia and Nampula Provinces, in line with the products already developed, to be progressively included in National practices.
This Project will disseminate what learnt in the Safer School Projects in several provinces, through on-the-job trainings, post-disaster assessments, demonstration, dissemination of technical solutions, innovative low-cost designs. This National-to-LocalCapacity Developmentactivity aims at training techniciansinresistantconstructionmeasuresanddisseminationofSchoolSafety and other public buildings practiceswithMinistriesofHousingandPublicWorks,MinistriesofEducation;andInstitutesofDisasterManagement (INGC) ;
To ensure smooth implementation of the abovementioned, UN-Habitat requires the support of a highly experienced and skilled Architect. The skills required are the capacity to analyze the context of Mozambique –both in terms of construction practices and institutional settings. The consultant should be readily available in the field, with a very strong knowledge of the context, experience in dealing with both communities and national to local institutions The Architect must have proven experience in Adaptive Architecture for reduction of risks, DRR and DRM shelter and improved reconstruction coupled by capacity for a normative approach.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme of UN-Habitat Mozambique, and the overall supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer at the Regional Office for Africa, the consultant will perform the following:
- Develop demonstrative models to be reproduced and disseminated for Schools
- Design of models developed and supervised for retrofitting & low-cost school construction i.e. at least 3 Architectural designs on disaster resistant modelling and to support enhance the of Catalogue of Construction measures on Safety Schools constructions;
- To coordinate architects and technicians in coordination with UNICEF for demonstrative activities as per resilient Community School construction
- Develop instruments for and conduct assessments for Post-Disaster school assessments
- Conduct at least two (2) School Pos-damage Assessments carried out in Zambézia and Nampula Provinces, including an Assessment Form and for building back better with WASH facilities with UNICEF on Safety School Buildings
- To carry out one (1) inception mission to support the second phase of “Safers School” in Gaza Province and one (1) Inception mission to provide support on DRR architectural model to the partners as required
- To support the elaboration of one (1) Manual on DRR for public construction through user-friendly materials including Building-Back-Better and Retrofitting measures within POEMA approach in partnership In partnership with the National Directorate of Buildings of Ministry of Housing and Public Works
- Conduct internal and external on-the-job trainings
- Conducting at least 2 on-the-job trainings in the most exposed provinces of Mozambique for Provincial and District Technicians and Local Builders to disseminate norms and techniques for Multi-Hazard School Safety and Resistant Housing
- Deliver technical trainings in the field for communities, national institutions, NGOs and partners as concerns school safety
- Training at least 2 junior DRR architects and 1 Intern in UN-Habitat.
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 or related field of
study, with a focus on development issues. A first university degree with a combination of at least three 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 7 years of working experience with relevant knowledge of housing/public building construction and reconstruction in flood, cyclone, earthquake and drought-prone areas;
- At least 5 years of architectural working experience in developing countries. In-depth knowledge of the context of Mozambique and sub-region is an important asset;
- Working experience in disaster risk reduction construction works;
- Working experience in School reconstruction and/or Emergency education;
- Experience in working with high level Institution representatives, Ministries, and National or Local Authorities
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluent in Portuguese is a must and working knowledge of English
OTHER SKILLS
- 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 builders
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. 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.
How to apply:
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
- Educational Background (incl. dates)
- Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
- Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
- Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
- Expectations regarding remuneration
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
Please also be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
All applications should be submitted to:
e-mail: fernando.antonio@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 08 July 2014
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
