WORK FOR AN AWARD-WINNING NON-PROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

POSITION OPENING: Lead Engineer, Philippines
Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Start Date: Immediate
Term: Full time
Salary: $2000-$2750 a month, based on experience

Organization Description
Founded in 2004, Build Change is an innovative non‐profit social enterprise whose mission is to greatly reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses caused by housing and school collapses due to earthquakes, extreme weather and fires. Our global experience shows that home improvement programs focused on improving existing housing can be carried out successfully across a range of country and disaster contexts. To do this, we implement programs that are both economically and socially sustainable. Our approach looks beyond construction and engineering, to creating an environment in which people want to improve the safety of their homes, and in which it is possible and affordable for them to do so. Systems change can only be achieved by overcoming the major barriers to success for resilient housing programs, which include People, Money, and Technology. Build Change is currently active in South East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, South America and the United States.

Build Change is the recipient of multiple awards, including a 2017 Skoll Foundation Award for Social Entrepreneurship, 2016 OpenIDEO Urban Resilience Challenge Winner, and was a top three finalist in IBM’s inaugural Call for Code Developer Challenge in 2018.

Your New Opportunity Position Overview
Build Change is seeking an exceptionally competent structural engineer with experience designing and providing structural observation to earthquake- and typhoon-resistant buildings according to established building code and standards. The successful candidate will have a flexible mindset in applying engineering principles to non-engineered buildings.
The Lead Engineer must have proven project management experience and excellent communication; she/he will contribute to the conception and execution of projects, manage a team of technical staff, and represent Build Change with partners, the professional community and clients. The Lead Engineer collaborates with engineering staff in other country programs, including the global engineering, design and technology team.
This position reports to the Philippines Program Manager and receives technical direction from the Lead Engineer, Asia Pacific.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction of Build Change’s technical solutions to support the safe construction or disaster-resistant upgrading of homes and schools in the Philippines.
• Responsible for the technical quality of Build Change’s projects in the Philippines, including designs and implementation.
• Lead on developing and implementing QA/QC systems in projects implemented directly by Build Change and those implemented through partners to meet the desired technical outcomes.
• Lead on updating existing resources or developing new technical resources for Build Change’s programs. Examples include but are not limited to design and construction supervision procedures, revision or development of new structural and architectural drawings, bills of quantity, construction checklists, and training materials.
• Lead on updating or developing new training resources for local builders and community members to support their understanding and adoption of safer construction practices.
• Ensure technologies and solutions are consistent with Build Change’s philosophy of disaster- resistance, sustainability, and cultural appropriateness.
• Be willing and confident to apply engineering judgment in the absence of code-based guidance.
• Solve problems and generate solutions in the field for special cases, especially retrofits and additions to existing buildings.
• Develop a thorough, comprehensive understanding of the structural engineering design resources developed by Build Change for use in the Philippines for retrofitting and new construction of various masonry and timber construction systems, including confined masonry, reinforced masonry, multi-story reinforced concrete frame, and timber frame.

Project management responsibilities:

• Work with the technical, community engagement and financing teams to implement project work plans. Own technical milestones and delegate tasks as appropriate.
• Continually gather insights and feedback during project implementation in order to iterate project activities and scale access to safer homes and schools.
• Mentor, train and oversee Philippines-based engineering staff and other technical staff.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection and performance review of technical staff in the Philippines office.
• Serve as Build Change Philippines’ interface with the global engineering, design and technology team team to support the adoption of simplified technology to support implementation at scale.
• Be an integral part of the Global Build Change Engineering, Design and Technology team and participate as the engineering lead for the Philippines program.
• Contribute in exchange of knowledge and experience with the global team members in monthly team calls.
• Coordinate with Build Change offices in the region to exchange information and best practices.
• Prepare monthly reports and contribute to internal and external project reporting.

Advocacy and program development responsibilities:

• Represent Build Change in interactions and communications with government agencies, project partners, the professional community, and prospective donors; contribute to Build Change’s advocacy efforts with these organizations.
• Build a network of respected local technical consultants to support Build Change’s advocacy efforts, oversee and review their work.
• Support the development of new proposals in defining Levels of Efforts and project activities.
• Represent Build Change in meetings and conferences as needed.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
Your experience includes:

• Minimum 10 years professional experience in structural engineering.
• Professional Engineering license (or equivalent) in civil (structural) engineering.
• Top-performing educational background in structural engineering, with strong earthquake resistant design orientation.
• Familiar with international building codes and guidelines, especially those applicable to the Filipino context.
• Understanding of earthquake- and typhoon-resistant design and construction of confined masonry, reinforced masonry, and timber buildings for both new and retrofit buildings.
• Proficiency with Autodesk products and structural design software; experience with Revit is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with cutting edge technologies that can help Build Change implement simple, affordable and scalable technical solutions is a strong plus.
• Hands-on construction experience in masonry and/or carpentry is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with human-centered design approaches is a strong plus.
• Project management skillset that includes ownership over milestones, work plans, reporting, using computer tools such as Excel and PowerPoint.

You are able to:

• Demonstrate excellent written, interpersonal communication and networking skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both expert and non-technical audiences.
• Work effectively in a team environment, and manage a team of technical staff to deliver on time.
• Work independently, and travel as needed.
• Represent Build Change as a globally trusted expert in front of external audiences, including conferences, networks, wealth advisors, donors, and funder.

You would describe yourself as:

• Passionate about the right of all people to dignified and safe housing.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently while also contributing fully as a team member.
• Fluent in English and Tagalog.

To Apply
Go to https://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.