Technical Supervisor (Engineering/Architecture) – Housing Improvements

The incumbent will work in close collaboration with programme, operations and project teams to support the achievement of project objectives and organizational priorities.

Niterói (RJ), Brazil

Six (6) months, with possibility of extension

Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis in developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. The “Vida Nova no Morro – Supporting Sustainable Urban Development in Informal Settlements in Niterói” project is being implemented by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Municipality of Niterói, through the Municipal Secretariat of Housing and Land Regularization. The initiative aims to strengthen the Municipality’s data systems and institutional capacities to develop social housing policies responsive to the needs of vulnerable territories and populations, while promoting sustainable, inclusive, and integrated urban development through evidence-based planning, housing assessments, and community engagement in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The project proposes a set of interventions to improve housing and urban conditions in favelas and urban communities through housing mapping, community mobilization, and innovative participatory methodologies. Through these actions, the initiative seeks to reduce socio-spatial inequalities, strengthen local capacities, and support sustainable urban development that leaves no one and no territory behind. To properly implement this project, Technical Supervisor (Engineering/Architecture) – Housing Improvements are required. Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Technical Supervisor (Engineering/Architecture) – Housing Improvements reports to the Head of Brazil Office, who will evaluate him/her. Responsibilities The Technical Supervisor (Engineering/Architecture) will support the implementation of the project by providing quality assurance, and technical supervision and validation of housing assessments and improvement proposals developed by the field teams, with the following responsibilities: a) Provide technical supervision and guidance to Field Agents, ensuring the consistent application of the project’s methodologies, technical criteria, protocols, and quality standards. b) Review and validate technical information and housing assessments produced by Field Agents, including measurements, photographs, sketches, identified building deficiencies, and other relevant technical records. c) Conduct quality control of field data and technical assessments, identifying inconsistencies, missing information, or cases requiring complementary verification, and provide guidance for their correction or completion. d) Review and validate proposed housing improvement interventions, ensuring consistency between the identified housing deficiencies and the proposed technical solutions. e) Provide technical guidance for complex, atypical, or inconclusive cases identified by Field Agents and, when necessary, participate in field visits to support technical assessment and decision-making. f) Collaborate with the definition and application of technical criteria for the prioritization and selection of housing improvement interventions. g) Review preliminary housing improvement designs, verifying their consistency with field assessments, technical feasibility, adequacy to existing housing conditions, and compliance with the project’s technical criteria. h) Review and propose adjustments to technical drawings, specifications, proposed materials, construction solutions, and other documentation related to preliminary designs. i) Review and validate housing assessments, proposed interventions, and preliminary designs within his/her respective professional area of expertise, including, as applicable:

• Architecture: habitability, functionality, accessibility, circulation, privacy, spatial organization, natural lighting and ventilation, thermal comfort, materials, finishes, and other relevant architectural aspects;
• Civil Engineering: building and structural safety, construction systems and components, roofing, waterproofing, water supply, sanitation, drainage, electrical installations, constructability, and other relevant engineering aspects. j) Work in close coordination with other technical disciplines to ensure the compatibility and integrated technical quality of proposed housing improvement interventions and preliminary designs. k) Provide technical approval, within his/her respective professional area of expertise, of housing assessments, proposed interventions, and preliminary designs that comply with the established technical requirements and quality standards. l) Prepare technical reviews, recommendations, validation records, and reports documenting the technical review and approval process. m) Contribute to the development, review, and improvement of technical guidelines, checklists, templates, standard solutions, and quality-control procedures for housing assessments and preliminary designs. n) Monitor the technical quality and consistency of the work performed by Field Agents, identify recurring technical issues or gaps, and provide inputs for training, methodological alignment, and continuous improvement of field activities. o) Participate in technical meetings, coordination activities, training sessions, and other project activities as requested. p) Provide inputs for the identification and mitigation of technical risks related to housing assessments and proposed interventions. q) Ensure that assigned activities are completed within established deadlines and in accordance with the required technical and quality standards. r) Attend meetings and conferences promoted by UN-Habitat and the project’s partners as requested. s) Have compliance with UN-Habitat quality standards and project requirements, ensur-ing consistency with institutional guidelines, methodologies and expected outcomes. t) Develop reports following ABNT guidelines, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat’s quality standards and project requirements. u) Ensure the adoption of ethical principles in the course of the consultancy, particularly regarding active listening, respect for diversity, and the promotion of safe, inclusive and participatory learning environment. v) Perform other duties related to the technical supervision of housing assessments and housing improvement interventions, as requested by the supervisor. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System. Outputs/Work Assignment The consultant shall be paid a monthly allowance, upon presentation and approval by the Head of Brazil Office of monthly activities’ report.

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism or Civil Engineering.
• Postgraduate degree (Lato Sensu or Stricto Sensu) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building Construction, Housing, Building Rehabilitation, Social Housing, Technical Assistance for Housing, or related fields is required, or additional four (4) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement. Work experience
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in residential construction, building rehabilitation, housing improvement, technical assistance for housing, or related areas is required.
• Experience in building inspection and/or technical assessment of existing residential buildings in Brazil is required.
• Experience in architectural or engineering technical review, supervision, coordination and/or approval of housing designs, assessments, or improvement interventions is required.
• Experience in housing improvement, residential rehabilitation, and/or interventions in existing residential buildings is required.
• Experience in social housing, affordable housing, technical assistance for housing and/or projects implemented in favelas, informal settlements or vulnerable communities is desirable.
• Experience in supervising, coordinating, or providing technical guidance to field teams and/or multidisciplinary teams is desirable.
• Experience in quality assurance and quality control of technical assessments, designs, or construction-related documentation is desirable.
• Previous experience within or with the United Nations System is desirable. Skills
• Proficiency in Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and Web search engines are required.
• Proficiency of inspection, assessment, and technical diagnosis of residential buildings.
• Good knowledge of building inspection, housing assessment, and technical diagnosis of residential buildings is required.
• Good knowledge of construction systems, building components, common building defects and housing improvement solutions is required.
• Good knowledge of housing conditions, habitability standards, applicable building codes, technical standards, and safety requirements is required.
• Knowledge of CAD, BIM, GIS, or other tools relevant to the review and management of technical information is desirable.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies is desirable. Competencies
• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of financial management principles and practices; applies sound judgment; shows persistence in meeting commitments and achieving results; demonstrates integrity and accountabil-ity.
• Planning and organization: Develops clear goals and priorities; identifies priority activ-ities and assignments; allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work and meeting deadlines.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others and re-sponds appropriately; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping stakeholders informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve organiza-tional goals; values diversity; contributes to an inclusive and respectful work environ-ment. Knowledge Management
• Contribute to the documentation, organization and dissemination of relevant technical knowledge and lessons learned related to the assignment.
• Support the preparation of tools, templates and reference materials that facilitate that effective project implementation.
• Ensure information, records and documentation produced under the assignment are properly organized and made available to authorized personnel.
• Promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration among project teams while ensuring compliance with applicable confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Travel details: Not Applicable Remuneration Remuneration is determined in accordance with the applicable UNOPS Local ICA or UNDP’s salary scale and the level established through the official classification process. Notes Appointment against this post is on local basis and only nationals from Brazil or external candidates who hold a permanent visa in Brazil may apply. The extension of this contract is subject to availability of funds and/or performance. Any contract extension is not automatic. It is required for all the curricular information to be inserted in the system, which may take a few hours. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Applications should be submitted through INSPIRA and must include all documents required at the system, please be ready to include the following information at the “Candidate Profile” (CP) at Inspira:

• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• Educational Background (incl. dates)
• Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
• Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
• Languages (proficiency level in all languages, including mother tongue)
• Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)* * Please note that Internships and part-time work count as 50%. In addition to it, note experience not relevant to the position will not be considered. All applications should be submitted to: Inspira UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning people or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.