Switzerland: UNHCR Innovation Consultant: Remote Street Light Planning Tool for Refugee Settlements

About UNHCR Innovation:

UNHCR Innovation is a multi-year, inter-departmental initiative looking for more efficient, effective and creative solutions to challenges that refugees face across UNHCR operations worldwide. The ultimate goal of our action is refugee protection, self-reliance, empowerment, dignity and education. We do this by rethinking the way UNHCR works, the way it involves refugees in the design of the programs, and the way it looks at good practices in the humanitarian and private sector.

About the job:

Our Energy Lab is working on a number of new approaches to solar street lighting in camps and settlements hosting refugees. Solar streetlights has become increasingly recognised as an important component of UNHCR’s response strategy.

Outdoor lighting facilities, if planned and implemented effectively can improve visibility and safety in public / remote areas, reduce the risk of SGBV, and lower the incidence of crime and vandalism, improving the lives of refugees. They also enable more community gatherings and social activities.

Providing sufficient levels of light throughout a refugee settlement is expensive and requires careful planning. UNHCR Innovation has been advocating for a multi-tiered approach to community lighting. Fro example a two tiered approach uses two conventional lighting methods; one to produce diffuse security lighting and the other to produce higher intensity focused light for social, educational, livelihoods and other community-based activities. This can enhance safety and security and can help revitalize a community’s feelings of well-being after dark.

In 2014 UNHCR Innovation, working with Stanford University, prototyped an approach to street light planning using high resolution satellite imagery, GIS and image processing software. In light of the potential this project has shown, UNHCR Innovation is looking to develop a tool(s) that can be integrated with UNHCR’s existing sight planning systems to plan and monitor street light interventions in new and existing refugee settlements.

The tool(s) will also be used to test different approaches to street lighting interventions based on different contexts and the use of different technologies and demonstrate graphically the spread of light in a settlement.

In this regard, UNHCR Innovation, in collaboration with the Energy & Environment unit and the Shelter and Settlement Section of UNHCR seeks to employ a consultant to develop and implement a remote streetlight planning tool(s). The consultant will report to UNHCR Innovation’s Energy Lab Coordinator.

Responsibilities

Phase 1

· Understand UNHCR’s existing site planning tool(s) and techniques;

· Understand and apply UNHCR Innovation’s methodology of innovation;

· Research and analyse current best practices to remote planning;

· Produce a plan for the development of a remote street light planning and monitoring tool(s) for refugee camps based on identified best practices and UNHCR systems;

· Reach consensus internally regarding the most appropriate way forward;

Phase 2\*(upon completing Phase 1)*

· Develop remote street light planning and monitoring tool(s) for refugee camps;

· Test street light planning tool(s) with UNHCR in the field;

· Identify lessons learnt from field testing;

· Refine initial tool(s) based on lessons learnt;

· Document the research, development and test process extensively;

· Develop user guidance and conduct training on the use of the tool(s);

Qualifications

· Appropriate education in relevant field such as: engineering, GIS, computer science, urban planning etc.;

· Minimum 3 years of applied work experience in relevant field;

· Ability to work autonomously and in a highly dynamic team;

· Creativity and confidence in exploring new ways of approaching challenges;

· Exceptional communication skills (oral / written) with varied audiences;

· Strives for excellence and willingness to drive change;

· Experience in the humanitarian sector preferred;

Duration

Initially 3 Months full-time (starting 15^th July 2015) with the possibility of extension.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to innovation@unhcr.orgby June 15^th 2015