Field Agent (Engineering/Architecture)

The Field Agent (Engineering/Architecture) supports the implementation of the Vida Nova no Morro project in Niterói, Brazil, conducting architectural inspections and technical diagnoses of dwellings in favelas. The role involves data collection, community communication, report preparation, and adherence to safety and ethical standards to promote sustainable urban development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct architectural inspections, assessments, and technical diagnoses of dwellings through active fieldwork in favelas, including the assessment of building conditions and habitability, ensuring compliance with questionnaire protocols and the quality of data collection.
• Collect and generate data from architectural surveys, including building measurements, photographs, and technical sketches, ensuring its quality, consistency, accuracy, and integrity.
• Provide support in clarifying questions and verifying the collected data.
• Elaborate and/or support the creation of reports.
• Facilitate communication with residents regarding the subsequent stages of programme implementation, ensuring alignment with the guidance and protocols established by the Programme Coordination.
• Contribute to the design of effective strategies for implementing the Programme’s fieldwork methodology, particularly the technical diagnosis of dwellings.
• Report any intercurrences in the field and implement safety protocols as outlined in the Programme’s guidelines.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and the proper use of electronic equipment, uniforms, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ensure that assigned tasks are completed within the established deadlines and in accordance with the required quality standards, contributing to the achievement of project objectives within the approved budget.
• Attend project meetings and local meetings as requested.
• Participate in training sessions on fieldwork approaches, methodologies, data collection tools, and ethical standards, as requested.
• Provide inputs for the identification of project risks.
• Maintain professional and cordial relations with the Programme’s counterparts.
• Ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with the principles of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards of the United Nations.
• Elaborate and submit Monthly Activity Reports in a timely and accurate manner, as well as other reports or updates as requested by the supervisor.
• Provide information for the systematization and exchange of successful practices and experiences with other offices in the region and with headquarters divisions.
• Perform other duties related to field technical diagnoses and project implementation, as requested by the Programme Coordination.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism or Civil Engineering is required, or additional three (3) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement.
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in building inspection/building assessment, residential construction, building surveying, housing improvement, technical assistance for housing, technical assessments in vulnerable communities, social housing/affordable housing, in Brazil, or related areas is required.
• Experience with inspection, assessment, and technical diagnosis of residential buildings is required.
• Previous experience within the UN System is desirable.
• Proficiency in Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and Web search engines are required.
• Good knowledge of construction systems, building components, and common building defects is required.
• Good knowledge of housing conditions, habitability standards, building codes, and safety requirements is required.
• Ability to take accurate measurements and prepare technical sketches is required.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data quality and accuracy is required.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and in an accessible manner is required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when interacting with residents and communities is required.
• Commitment to professional ethics, confidentiality, and respect for local communities is required.
• Ability to work effectively in favelas is required.
• Ability to work in field environments and comply with established safety protocols is required.
• Experience in public policies in favelas is desirable.
• Experience working in an inter-institutional environment, project management, monitoring-evaluation; approaches and strategies regarding good urban governance and local and regional development.
• Professional approach to work, strong sense of responsibility, operate with minimal supervision; proven organizational skills and ability to manage a workload efficiently and within set deadlines.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively; listen to others, interpret messages correctly and respond appropriately; show openness in information sharing and keep everyone informed; solid abstract reasoning skills together with a proven capacity to write documents for diverse audiences.
• Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.
• Knowledge of UN-Habitat processes, procedures, and norms to guarantee quality of activities.
• Ability to propose formats and procedures for efficient project implementation.
• Ability to maintain and update office files and databases related to project.
• Ability to ensure proper sharing and privacy of technical information.
• Fluency in Portuguese is required. Good command in English and Spanish is an asset.

Skills

• Building Inspection
• Building Assessment
• Residential Construction
• Building Surveying
• Housing Improvement
• Technical Assistance for Housing
• Technical Assessments
• Construction Systems Knowledge
• Building Components Knowledge
• Building Defects Identification
• Housing Conditions Knowledge
• Habitability Standards
• Building Codes Knowledge
• Safety Requirements
• Technical Measurements
• Technical Sketching
• Data Quality Assurance
• Technical Report Preparation
• Community Communication
• Field Work Safety
• Project Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Urban Governance
• Local and Regional Development
• Conflict Management
• Consensus Facilitation
• Multi-cultural Team Collaboration
• UN-Habitat Procedures
• Office File Management
• Database Management
• Information Privacy
• Windows
• Word
• Excel
• Outlook
• Web Search Engines

Languages

Portuguese, English, Spanish