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Lead Structural Engineer - Philippines
Summary
Title:Lead Structural Engineer - Philippines
ID:160606
Department:Operations
Description

WORK FOR AN AWARD-WINNING NON-PROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

 
POSITION OPENING:    Lead Structural Engineer
Industry:                            Non-profit/International Development
Function:                          Technical
Location:                          Manila, Philippines
Start Date:                       August 1, 2016
Term:                                At-will employment
Salary:                             Competitive, with health, emergency evacuation insurance, housing and food allowance
 

Organization Description

Founded in 2004, Build Change is a non‐profit social enterprise whose mission is to save lives in earthquakes and hurricanes. Build Change designs disaster-resistant houses and schools, trains homeowners, builders, engineers and government officials to build them, works with governments to develop and implement building standards, partners with the private sector to improve building materials quality and create jobs, and facilitates access to incentive-based capital for reconstruction and retrofitting by partnering with financing institutions and government subsidy programs. Build Change started its work in Aceh, Indonesia after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami and has since expanded to include programs in China, Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Nepal, and the Philippines. Build Change has trained more than 25,300 people on earthquake-resistant design and construction techniques, guided 31 organizations in using homeowner-driven design, created almost 12,000 jobs and provided technical assistance for more than 48,700 safer buildings, impacting an estimated 245,026 people.  
 
Build Change has been working in the Philippines since 2013, providing technical assistance and training for housing and school construction programs in response to the 2013 Typhoon Yolanda and Bohol Earthquake. To leverage the knowledge gained and technical resources developed, Build Change is now transitioning its technical programs to focuses on pre-disaster programming to mitigate the risk of typhoons and earthquakes. New programs include a retrofit program for residential houses, and a technical mentorship program to support the construction of safer schools.
 

Responsibilities:

For the position of Lead Structural Engineer, Build Change is seeking an exceptionally competent structural engineer with experience designing and providing structural observation to earthquake- and typhoon-resistant buildings in locations with developed and enforced building codes and standards.  Experience applying this background in the developing context is also desirable. In addition, the successful applicant will have a proven management track record, history of building relationships with partners and clients, and demonstrated ability to communicate technical terms and concepts to non-technical persons. This position reports to the Philippines Director of Programs and Partnerships and receives technical direction from the Director of Engineering.
  
 
Technical responsibilities:
  • Lead on the development of new technical resources and elaborate design and construction supervision procedures for Build Change’s new pre-disaster retrofit program in Metro Manila. 
  • Be responsible for controlling the quality of design information and implementation for projects in the Philippines.
  • Develop thorough, comprehensive understanding of the structural engineering design resources developed by Build Change for use in the Philippines for confined masonry, reinforced masonry, multi-story reinforced concrete frame, and timber frame.
  • Oversee the revision or development of new structural and architectural drawings, bills of quantity, construction checklists, and training materials as necessary, for partners and clients.
  • Solve problems and generate solutions in the field for special cases, especially retrofits and additions to existing buildings.
  • Ensure technologies and solutions are consistent with Build Change’s philosophy of earthquake- resistance, sustainability, and cultural appropriateness.
  • Be willing and confident to apply engineering judgment in the absence of code-based guidance.
  • Oversee the recruitment, selection and performance review of technical staff in the Philippines office.
  • Mentor, train and oversee Philippines-based engineering staff, local engineers, architects, drafters, and other technical staff.
  • Build a network of respected local technical consultants, oversee and review their work.
 Program responsibilities:
  • Work with the other program technical staff and project coordinators to assist in implementing the project work plan. On individual projects, work with the project coordinator and/or Director of Programs to resolve any technical quality or staffing issues if they arise.
  • Act as Build Change’s lead technical representative in interactions and communications with government agencies, project partners and prospective donors; contribute to Build Change’s advocacy efforts with these organizations.
  • Support the Fund and Partnership Development Officer and the Director of Programs and Partnerships in defining Levels of Efforts and project conceptions for new projects.
  • Represent Build Change in meetings and conferences as needed.
  • Prepare monthly reports and contribute to internal and external project reporting.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 6 years professional experience in structural engineering in a country with well-established building code adoption and enforcement.  Additional experience in designing and supervising construction of earthquake- and typhoon-resistant buildings in a developing country is a very strong plus.
  • Demonstrated experience working successfully in a team environment, as well as managing a team of technical staff, and delivering outcomes on time.
  • Understanding of earthquake- and hurricane-resistant design and construction of confined masonry, reinforced masonry, and timber buildings for both new and retrofit buildings.
  • Professional Engineering license (or equivalent) in civil (structural) engineering.
  • Familiar with international building codes and guidelines, especially those applicable to the Filipino context.
  • Cost estimating, structural design software, and 2d AutoCAD literacy.
  • Top-performing educational background in structural engineering, with strong earthquake resistant design orientation.
  • Hands-on construction experience in masonry, reinforced concrete, and carpentry is helpful.
  • Work experience in an elite management setting, or some kind of successful entrepreneurial experience such as starting a field program in a developing country, leading a large event, or starting a business.
  • Project management skillset that includes ownership over milestones, work plans, reporting, using computer tools such as Excel and PowerPoint.
  • International development experience and willingness to live and work in a post-disaster or developing country setting; experience in the Philippines is a strong plus.
  • No ego, drama, or pessimism; the successful candidate will be flexible, humble, patient, and have a good sense of humor.
  • Fluent English required, fluency in Tagalog or another Filipino language is a strong plus.

To Apply

Go to http://www.buildchange.org/about/careers and click on the link for this position. Women and citizens of the Philippines are encouraged to apply.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No calls please.
 
 
 
This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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