Senior Settlement Planning Associate

March 10, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationUNOPS LICA7

2026-04-011. General Background

The Government of Kenya, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and its Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), in collaboration with its partners has taken concrete steps through number of initiatives to improve the socioeconomic conditions and inclusion for refugees, and support building resilience of host communities. These include enactment of Refugees Act of 2021, Refugee Regulations, and importantly the Shirika Plan (one of the pioneering innovative approaches globally for Refugee inclusion) and its building blocks of Garissa and Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plans (GISEDP and KISEDP) aligned with the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), the Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), its Medium-Term Plan (MTP, 2023-2207), and Vision 2030. With the gazettement of Municipalities of Dadaab and Kakuma, the transition from camps to integrated settlement (herein after referred as the municipality) is at scale i.e. 46 km2 camp area to 632 km2 municipality in Kakuma. Accordingly, the area-based and multidimensional approach (e.g. demographic, political, cultural, social, economic, ecological, and technological) lays out the gradual transition process and as such includes a wide range of sectors that needs a coordinated and systemic approaches safeguarding the rights of refugees, promoting their inclusion and self-reliance within the municipalities planning and development.

The Senior Settlement Planning Associate works under the overall supervision of the Programme Officer or the Head of Office and support the design and development of the sustainable settlements in Kakuma municipality and coordinates different infrastructure interventions of UNHCR ensuring the right-based services are centric to the settlement development. S/he works in coordination with other colleagues in the field, in particular working in protection, health, community-based protection, water and sanitation. In addition to settlement planning, the incumbent also assists with the functions in the areas of shelter, infrastructure, site selection and construction management support. The incumbent acts as focal point for maintaining effective coordination with any established settlement / shelter sector working group at her / his particular level. In addition, s/he is responsible for monitoring the implementation of settlement planning activities, and for collaboration with Administration, Finance and Programme on all programmatic issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). S/he shall be working closely with other sections on settlement and general infrastructure related activities and provides functional technical support to the team as well as to the technical experts in the Field.
The Senior Settlement Planning Associate provides support in emergency and protracted operations in designing and developing sustainable settlements to host people of concern (POC) to UNHCR. A settlement should take into consideration the risks associated with settlement locations, spatial allocation of functions while addressing the needs of the population, the availability of resources, the amelioration of living conditions, the provision of services, and enhancing transportation networks as well as recreational spaces.

The incumbent will therefore be expected to provide support in analysing the variety of settlement options urban, rural, formal or informal and ensure that spatial allocation of land is decided in support of the protection, access to basic services, livelihoods and socio-cultural life of displaced people and the host community. The incumbent will also assist in negotiations with national and local government authorities regarding land acquisition and site development works.

The Senior Settlement Planning Associate provides support in co-ordination and construction related activities within the AoR in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities and maintains contacts with the local officials and implementing partners to discuss and share information on the assessment of infrastructure conditions in refugee-hosting areas.
     
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)
   
Technical Guidance
- Assist in conducting assessments and selection of potential sites in accordance with the Master Plan approach to settlement planning taking into consideration protection concerns, promoting the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues (e.g. age, environment, gender, and human rights), national legislation, environmental considerations and access to basic services.
- Provide support and work with all functional units in UNHCR and relevant technical actors in carrying out needs assessments, analysis and joint inter-sector needs assessment exercises as appropriate, prioritize results accordingly and feed them into the Master Planning Process and Settlement Planning Strategy.
- Assist in the development of settlement layouts that respond to natural topography and drainage patterns of the site to reduce construction and maintenance costs.
- Coordinate and assist in scheduling and follow up of plot demarcation, allocation for potential shelters (RHUs, family tents and other shelter solutions), and other infrastructure according to the settlement plans.
- Directly follow up and support the implementation of the settlement masterplan. Prepare bid documents, drawings, BOQs, Work Schedules and Technical Specifications for settlement planning activities.
- Monitor regularly the settlement and infrastructure works so these are implemented according to plans and completed within designated timelines and budget. Ensure that technical components reflect local government and UNHCR minimum standards focussing on quality and output.
- Prepare regular reports as necessary to be shared with the supervisor.
Coordination
- Provide support in ensuring that UNHCR’s operation within the AoR is technically sound in the field of settlement planning to best meet the needs of POC.
- Work with relevant authorities and government counterparts to support strong coordination of settlement planning activities within the AoR.
- Assist the supervisor in developing settlement plans that are aligned with regional, national land use plans and planned developments.
- Assist the supervisor in the process of site selection and land negotiations with the local government, local community leaders and the landlords for the settlements within the AOR.
- Provide inputs for periodic updates on the Masterplan taking note of the changes, new developments and expansion in the settlement.
- Provide support to implementing and operational partners to ensure the use of common standards and tools for information collection and data management.
Collaboration
- In coordination with relevant focal persons and technical colleagues, provide support in carrying out appropriate assessments and mapping exercises such as environmental impact assessment, useable land area assessment, mapping of services, mapping of host communities, livelihood assessments, etc.
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
The incumbent will work with County Government and UN agencies, particularly the Ministry of Lands and Urban Management, and the State Department of Housing and Urban Development (SDHUD), UN-Habitat and WB (particularly through KUSP-2) and others, to support the Municipality spatial planning and development. Provide support in accordance with the Master Plan approach to settlement planning taking into consideration protection concerns, national legislation, environmental considerations, appropriate density, and access to basic services including water, hydrological concerns, socio/economic issues, and cultural inclusion and HLP matters etc. Work with stakeholders to establish evidence-based settlement absorption and carrying capacities including through conducting in-depth analysis of the Kakuma municipality (based on secondary data and available documents) and prepare accordingly the UNHCR strategy for adequate housing (shelter) and infrastructure services. Work with all the technical sectors in UNHCR to ensure a coherent and coordinated planning and response of the UNHCR safeguarding the rights of refugees including the comprehensive needs assessments, in line with the KISEDP and Shirika Plan. Build and strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders and actors on sustainable integrated settlements (i.e. municipalities); and coordinate with Government and stakeholders ensuring refugee inclusion and towards sustainable, green, and inclusive municipality development ensuring the social and environmental safeguards (including DRR). Support in identifying the avenues and entry points for UNHCR engagement with focus on resource mobilization under KISEDP and Shirika Plan. Support development of 3D/GIS/VR mapping for interactive Virtual Integrated Platform for Enhanced Settlements in Kakuma including the overlay of the different layers (e.g. demographic, economic, environmental etc.). Work with the relevant UNHCR units, programme, external relations to develop UNHCR implementation modalities and work plans, and with communications the evidence-based updates and briefs including for KISEDP. Provide technical inputs and advice to Programme on the Partnership Agreement with the organizations, for UNHCR-funded infrastructure facilities on the designs and preparation of the BOQs etc, and in identifying, monitoring and evaluation of the adequate housing (shelter) and site planning intervention including preparation (and periodic review) of the Standard Operating Procedures and risk mitigating quality control and compliance measures.
     
4. Qualifications and Experience

b. Work Experience
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

-   Essential
Prior experience of implementing settlement projects in humanitarian context and emergencies, assisting in liaison with operational partner’s and governmental technical departments. Previous involvement in implementation processes (including the development of bills of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations etc.). Knowledge of shelter technical guidelines and rules for adequate orientation, ventilation, flood and natural disaster prone areas. Knowledge of policy on alternatives to camps and master plan concept, including project life cycle analysis approach. Knowledge of a range of physical planning assistance options, including sensitivity to cultural and gender specific needs to ensure that the social and cultural background of the refugees is taken into account while designing and developing camps/shelter options.

Desirable
Work experience with local contractors.
  
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
  

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Performance

Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Technological Awareness
Planning and Organizing

 

Standard Job Description

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

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Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No