TERMS OF REFERENCE Post: Reconstruction Specialist L-3 (2 POSTS) Post Number: N/ A Project Number and Title: Settlements Rehabilitation, XB-IRQ-9-S02-11.11 Duration: Twelve months with a possible extension Location: Nairobi, Kenya (With Field Missions as Required) Executing Agency: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) Estimated Starting Date: 1 February 2003 A. THE SHELTER AND RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME 1. Background The Risk and Disaster Management Unit (RDMU) of the Department for Disaster, Post Conflict and Safety Section, (DPCSS) is the main unit in UN-HABITAT responsible for the implementation of the Work Programme and operational activities on disaster related issues. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the number and volume of operational activities executed by RDMU. The implementation of the Good Governance Campaign and its links to the Work Programme is also placing additional demands on the tasks to be performed by RDMU, particularly in Iraq. The present post is designed to provide additional direct support to the activities of RDMP in the design and implementation of operational activities in Iraq as well as in support of RDMU activities. In relation to the operational activities, the consultant will be primarily related to the following projects: Iraq The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq (GOI) on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 986 (1995) states that the GOI undertakes to effectively guarantee equitable distribution to the Iraqi population throughout the country of humanitarian supplies with the proceeds of the sale of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products. GOI presented the United Nations Secretary General in May 1996, with a Distribution Plan to implement the provisions of the resolution. For the three northern Iraqi Governorates, namely Dohuk, Erbil and Suleimaniyeh, the procurement and distribution of humanitarian supplies is the responsibility of the United Nations Inter-Agency Humanitarian Programme. Recognising the special needs of the population of the three northern Governorates, a provision has been made in the plan for activities regarding "Settlements Rehabilitation". The executing agency for the programme is the United Nations Human Settlements Programme UN-HABITAT. 2. Beneficiaries Iraq In order to ensure the equitable distribution of the resources available for settlements rehabilitation works as specified by the MOU and taking into account the assessment of current needs in the Governorates of Suleimaniyeh, Erbil and Dohuk, the following criteria will be taken into consideration: a) Equitable distribution among the Governorates: i.e. Suleimaniyeh, Erbil and Dohuk b) Equitable distribution among components: Rural village resettlement; Infrastructure assistance to IDPs; Improving townships. Urban/semi-urban areas; and Rehabilitation for resettled villages/centres. c) Equitable distribution by type of activity . Each of the programme components consists of "packages" of shelter, infrastructure and services activities aiming at giving an integrated humanitarian response to the needs of IDPs and rural and urban communities. The selection of the "package" of activities to be implemented in each community will be carried out with the participation of the beneficiaries and in consultation with other external support agencies implementing complementary activities. The Settlement Rehabilitation programme is now in its seventh phase of execution with a total operational budget of US$243 million including US$15 million for education and US$4 million for water supply and sanitation. To implement the Programme UN-HABITAT has a total of 24 international and over 300 national staff in Northern Iraq. The team is complemented by a liaison Baghdad, a support office in Amman and a backstopping office in Nairobi. 3. Location The present post is located in the UN-HABITAT backstopping office in Nairobi. The main function of this office is to provide policy guidance, administration support and technical backstopping in programme implementation. B. T ASKS Summary of assigned duties: Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Risk and Disaster Management Unit and the Head of the Urban Development Branch, the Reconstruction Specialist will perform the following functions: a) Control the technical and financial validity of all documents coming from the field b) Review authorisations for tendering projects c) Process authorisations for contracting projects, control in respect of the UN rules and regulations, check the technical and financial soundness of the contracts d) Supervise project execution, valuations and final payments of contracts e) Monitor project implementation, processing of contracts and payments and take corrective action as required f) Prepare financial and technical reports for submission on programmes as required, estimate project funding requirements and report to the programme accordingly g) Travel when required to the field to assess, manage, or collaborate in specific operations h) Designs, negotiates and evaluate operational projects to improve disaster management and rehabilitation in human settlements, by: i) Supporting field and projects, including the provision of advisory services, review of technical reports, and preparation of TOR's and sub-contracts; j) Act as Secretary to the Local Contracts Committee k) Maintaining contact with field offices, identify needs, responding for requests for assistance and promoting UN-HABITAT activities at national level l) Support to the co-ordination of UN-HABITAT activities related to disaster management and rehabilitation with other UN and external support agencies, NGO's and governments, and prepare inputs to related UN-HABITAT activities by; m) Representing UN-HABITAT at United Nations inter-agency bodies, and other international bodies for the co-ordination of activities in the subject; n) Consulting and coordinating with concerned organisations within and outside the UN system to identify common approaches to disaster management and rehabilitation activities; o) Assist the Coordinator in daily operation of the unit as required p) Participate in the implementation of the Good Governance Campaign C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES 1) Project management of UN-HABITAT Risk and Disaster Management Unit projects. a) Manage UN-HABITAT Risk and Disaster Management Unit projects in terms of, authorisations, regulations, technical and financial soundness of projects b) Design, negotiate and implement new UN-HABITAT Disaster Management Unit projects c) Supervise project execution, monitor implementation and successful completion d) Prepare technical and financial reports for projects e) Carryout field assessments 2) Support UNCHS(Habitat) activities in general. a) Support field and global/regional projects b) Support UN-HABITAT activities support to disaster management and rehabilitation with other UN and external agencies c) Respond to requests for from countries requiring assistance in the field of disaster management and rehabilitation d) Act as Secretary to the UNON Local Contracts Committee e) Represent UN-HABITAT at United Nations inter-agency bodies, and other international bodies for co-ordination of activities f) Consult and co-ordinate common approaches to disaster management and rehabilitation with outside bodies g) Urban Development Branch's Good Governance Campaign 3) Assist in all aspects of the RDMU Workplan under the supervision of the RDMU Coordinator 4) Assist the Co-ordinator in daily operation of the Unit D. Experience and Qualifications University degree in Urban or Regional Planning/Engineering/Architecture/Development Economics/Urban Governance/Public Administration with experience in the identification and design of technical cooperation projects and policy development. A minimum of 5 years of wide ranging national and international experience in the planning and design of settlements and disaster management activities and in the development of normative strategies for post-conflict/post-disaster programming. Fluency in English and preferably a second (UN) Language. Applications should be sent preferably by e-mail to: Daniel Lewis, Coordinator a.i. Disaster, Post Conflict and Safety Section (dan.lewis@unhabitat.) or fax 254 2 624263 Deadline for applications: 31 January 2003 Please note that the Agency reserves the right to appoint a successful candidate at a lower level than mentioned in the vacancy announcement