Head of Design at UNRWA

Location: North Lebanon Area
Last Date: November 11, 2010

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST

UNRWA

UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 4.7 million Palestine refugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. UNRWA is committed to assisting Palestine refugees in maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 29,000 staff. Most of these staff are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities - as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Head of Design, Nahr El-Bared Camp

“re-advertised”

Vacancy Announcement Number
10-FO-LB-73

Grade
P-3

Deadline for Applications
11 November 2010

Duty Station
North Lebanon Area

Under the overall guidance of the Head, Reconstruction, Engineering & Sanitation Division (RES Division) and the direct supervision of the Head, Housing, Infrastructure & Planning Unit for NBC, the incumbent is responsible for the successful implementation of all stages of the design process for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery of NBC, a project in excess of $300 million. He/she is accountable for working with the community to secure their agreement on preliminary designs for their reconstructed homes, and for producing detailed architectural designs and final structural and infrastructural designs for the reconstruction project, either directly through UNRWA capacity or through companies to which these functions are outsourced. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of the design process for the reconstruction of NBC and associated engineering works in NLA, ensuring these elements are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standard of quality. These works include, but are not limited to, the participatory planning, preliminary designs, detailed designs and planning of all NBC’s residential and non-residential buildings, infrastructure and all related works including the UNRWA compound consisting of schools, health centre, offices, NGO buildings, plus all associated infrastructure works.



Primary Duties and Responsibilities

· Lead the design process for the Old Camp and UNRWA compound, consisting of community consultation, validation and conflict resolution, preparation of full architectural designs for all works, and preparation of the detailed structural designs and drawings. Create elegant solutions for practical design problems imposed by the often contradictory requirements of the site limitations, government parameters/regulations, and community expectations. Establish and/or review the quantitative and qualitative criteria and guidelines based on appropriate research and data collection for the planning, design and implementation of the project to ensure that they satisfy the requirements of the participatory approach and relevant international codes of practice and standards;

· Implement a fully participatory design process with the community, based on thorough verification of data. Maintain a digital NBC resident housing database and the necessary drawing and design technical documents for the record. Ensure that the detailed design of the project incorporates community development aspects as a fundamental element of the participatory approach. Maintain open communication with local community leaders throughout the process to try to avoid disputes and resolve potential conflicts;

· Direct, motivate and foster a creative atmosphere for the sub-units directly performing design functions (Adjacent Areas Master Planning, Community/Architectural Design, and Structural Engineering Design) or supervise the work of a company to which any design function is outsourced. Provide technical and administrative management to these sub-units through their respective managers – the Adjacent Areas Urban Planner, the Design Manager (for the Old Camp), and the Structural Engineer. Monitor and evaluate the outputs and performance of these managers and their staff. Manage the human resources in these units, ensuring that all positions are filled by suitable staff;

· Oversee the management, facilitate support and monitor achievement of objectives of the project to map the property ownership pattern and prepare a comprehensive urban plan to facilitate the rehabilitation and recovery of NBC’s adjacent areas;

· Support the Head of Housing, Infrastructure & Planning Unit in regular interaction with local authorities, municipal representatives, government agencies, consultants, contractors and other concerned bodies on issues related to the planning and design of NBC, UNRWA compound and adjacent areas, including, but not limited to, infrastructure connections, traffic flow, archaeological issues, and environmental and social considerations;

· Advise the Head of Housing, Infrastructure & Planning and the Head of Reconstruction, Engineering and Sanitation on the architectural / urban planning and design policies and planning parameters of the NBC Project. Update the NBC Reconstruction Plan as necessary. Participate in relevant meetings and provide technical advice for high-level decision-making concerning the project. Participate as a member of the NMU senior management team;

· Submit regular reports on the status of the design process of the project. Visit sites periodically to monitor progress of works and ensure adherence to design standards. Identify bottlenecks and problems in design implementation. Propose remedial actions and develop solutions. Keep abreast of the latest developments in materials and methodology that could have a beneficial impact on design or construction.



Professional Knowledge and Experience

· A first-level university degree in architecture from a recognized university;

· At least six years of relevant post-graduate experience in the application of the knowledge acquired though the above technical studies, of which three years should have been in a supervisory capacity;

· Excellent command of spoken and written English is essential.



Competencies

· Evidence of creativity in finding elegant solutions to difficult architectural design and/or urban planning problems;

· Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

· Proven ability to work independently on multiple tasks, establish priorities and meet competing deadlines;

· Proven ability to establish and maintain an effective team of professionals and to lead then in technically complex tasks within a challenging work environment;

· Strong communication skills and the ability and energy to involve a sceptical and stressed local community in a complex and intensive community participation process;

· Proficiency in AutoCAD, and standard agency PC applications.



Desirable Qualifications

· An advanced university degree in architecture from a recognized university;

· Knowledge of development, planning and architectural aspects in the Middle East;

· Possession of a valid driving license.



Additional Information

The incumbent may be required to travel to another site within the UNRWA area of operations.



Conditions of Service

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $59,200 net tax free with dependants or $55,259 single plus post adjustment of 47.2%. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza) are family duty stations.



How to Apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.



General Information

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.



UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.



UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs.


Date of issue: 21 October 2010/LF