CTG overview | CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006. |
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Overview of position | The position is located with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the Regional Programmes Division and based in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Regional Programmes Division is responsible for consolidating and enhancing the linkages between UN Habitat's activities in the field with the Strategic Plan, the 2030 Agenda, and the UN-Habitat’s overall future priorities and to make sure that they are appropriate to the country context. UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific manages UN-Habitat’s project portfolio in the Asia and Pacific region. It ensures that country priorities are in alignment with the UN-Habitat’s organizational policies and strategic objectives and brings through its Regional Representative to the attention of the Executive Management Committee (EMC) opportunities and challenges in the region, allowing for timely feedback and responses to urgent demands and requests from the Member States. Since 1992, UN-Habitat has worked closely with Afghan communities, contributing to the physical and social reconstruction of the country. Our work has focused on the development of urban policies and regulations; strategic urban planning; increasing municipal revenue; establishing community-based organizations; addressing the land and housing needs of IDPs and returnees and contributing to the provision of basic urban services. In October 2023, 4 powerful (6.3 magnitude) earthquakes struck Herat Province, western Afghanistan resulting in wide-scale destruction across 382 villages in 9 Districts with 275,256 already-vulnerable individuals (48,347 families) in dire need of humanitarian assistance. To respond to this humanitarian emergency, UN-Habitat has developed an emergency project called “Building resilient community infrastructure in Afghanistan through a build-back-better approach” to be submitted to the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support one damaged public infrastructure project and one damaged health facility with an anticipation of being funded. This proposed project will be implemented in Zindajan district and target to benefit a total of 1,313 affected population (187 affected families). To enable smooth and timely implementation of the project, UN-Habitat will closely work with affected population using the peoples process, community-based organizations, such as Community Development Councils (CDCs) and organizations of persons with disabilities. UN-Habitat is also closely coordinating with other UN agencies such as OCHA, UNDP, IOM, UNHCR, and WHO to complement their interventions and to avoid duplication of efforts. UN-Habitat will implement a project that will improve community resilience by rehabilitating and retrofitting the damaged community infrastructure, including health and WASH systems, by taking a build-back-better (BBB) approach. The project will involce the earthquake-affected populations in the survey and assessment processes. |
Role objectives | The incumbent will support implementation of the Provision of Building resilient community infrastructure in Afghanistan through a build-back-better approach project to provide “Post-Earthquake Investigation” consultancy services and ensure that the required outputs are achieved in line with the work plan. He/She will have the following duties and responsibilities:
Objectives of the investigation. The objective of the investigation is to thoroughly investigate the type, severity and extent of the incurred damage from the earthquake and provide engineering recommendations through retrofitting measurements and techniques.
The health centers are in Zindajan district of Herat province.
The Consultant shall thoroughly study the area and (i) conduct visual site inspection for four health centers (Health center, Zanda Jan / health center, Shakeban / health center, Shada / health center) and (ii) conduct post-earthquake investigations for the one health center (Kernail Clinic) in Zindajan district. The investigation shall come through site inspections and structural analysis of the health centers. Kernail Clinic is in the north part of Zendajan district in Kernail Wardak village. This clinic provides health services and treatment to 21 villages of Zendajan district, and it was in the epicenter of the earthquake and damaged badly. 2.1- Site Inspection: The Consultant shall conduct site visits from all the health centers physically and visually inspect the entire health center including but not limited to columns, beams, slabs, walls, ramps, corridors, and sidewalks. The inspections shall be conducted by expert engineers (team) and shall be reported to the program along with the relevant photographs from the affected buildings as per the number of health centers mentioned above. The inspection report shall be based as the input for the analysis and further assessment of the buildings’ stability and safety. 2.2 Tests: The Consultant shall be responsible for recording the current condition of the soil beneath the foundations and strength of the concrete elements in the structure. In doing so, the Consultant shall be conducting below tests as a minimum: 2.3 Geotechnical Investigation: The Consultant shall conduct geotechnical testing to provide necessary information about the geological, physical and properties of soil as a prerequisite for the analysis of the building, including but not limited to soil sampling, soil classification, soil properties such as dry density, moisture content, grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, bearing capacity and collapse/swell potential as per ASTM standards. The investigation shall also identify the ground water table. The investigation shall also include seismic considerations for the soils vulnerable to potential failure or collapse under seismic loading such as liquefiable soils. the projects’ location shall be studied with respect to fault zones of the earthquake and distances from the fault zones shall be determined. 2.4 Concrete Tests: The Consultant shall be responsible for conducting Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to evaluate the safety of the structures and determine if repairs or retrofitting are needed to ensure the structure can withstand future seismic events. As a minimum below, tests shall be performed.
All submissions and correspondence including drawings shall be in English and are to be in hardcopy and softcopy. The submission requirements shall be all in A4 and A3 size paper.
8.1- Structural Engineers:
8.2- Geotechnical Specialists:
8.3- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Experts:
8.4- Documentation and Reporting Specialists:
8.5- Project Manager or Coordinator:
8.6- Field Technicians and Support Staff:
8.7- Collaboration with Local Experts:
The interdisciplinary nature of the investigative team ensures comprehensive coverage of structural, geotechnical, and non-destructive testing aspects, allowing for a thorough assessment of the affected structures and the geological conditions. Additionally, the collaboration with local experts fosters a holistic approach that considers the region's unique circumstances and contributes to effective decision-making for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Results Expected: The Consultant shall be responsible to provide the complete investigation report as a minimum but not limited to:
Competencies (Select 3 Maximum) Professionalism: Ability to identify and resolve budgetary problems and identify sources for data collection. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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& 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. |
Project reporting | Report to project manager. |
Key competencies | N/A |
Team management | N/A |
Further information | N/A |
Disclaimer: · At no stage of the recruitment process will CTG ask candidates for a fee. This includes during the application stage, interview, assessment and training. · CTG has a zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) which is outlined in its Code of Conduct. Protection from SEA is everyone’s responsibility and all staff are required to adhere to CTG’s Code of Conduct at all times. |