Building Engineer / Construction Specialist at eHealth Systems Africa

Purpose of the position

• We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced laboratorian to join our organization. 
• The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring and supervising laboratory infrastructure upgrade work in accordance with international best practices and guidelines/specifications detailed in the work plan. 
• The ideal candidate should have a strong laboratory medicine background and a deep understanding of civil engineering peculiarities of research and diagnostics laboratory. 
• This role requires exceptional planning skills, collaboration ability, and strong attention to detail. 

What you’ll do
To perform this job successfully, the Construction Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Manager to perform the following responsibilities: 

• Develop and aggregate information for the annual construction work plan, focusing on ongoing and upcoming projects across various countries while collaborating with relevant partners to align proposals with organizational goals.
• Prepare detailed scopes of work, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards and local building codes, while producing necessary architectural drawings, 3D models, and engineering documents. Review technical documents for clarity and secure necessary endorsements.
• Acquire all required permits from design firms and government entities prior to construction initiation to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Compile and prepare Bills of Quantities (BOQ) that detail necessary materials, labor, and equipment for accurate project execution.
• Identify potential local construction and engineering firms for collaboration and assist in preparing tender documents to facilitate a smooth bidding process.
• Monitor construction activities through regular site visits to ensure compliance with design specifications and safety standards, utilizing project management tools for updates on progress and quality.
• Actively participate in the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) during the pre-bidding process and assist in evaluating technical bids.
• Maintain regular communication with stakeholders, including clients, engineers, and contractors, and deliver presentations on project progress to keep all parties informed.
• Assess the quality of construction materials against project specifications and ensure resources are available for each project phase while upholding biosafety and quality standards.
• Ensure client expectations for individual works are met or exceeded through proactive communication and effective delivery.
• Oversee the delivery of infrastructure upgrades at designated sites, ensuring timely completion, adherence to quality standards, and project specifications.
• Plan, supervise, and execute tasks in accordance with project specifications, drawings, and dimensions, ensuring all work is conducted within agreed timeframes and budget limits.
• Verify that all specifications, including biosafety level II laboratory-grade requirements, are met and maintain compliance with established standards.
• Ensure sufficient resources are available for each stage of the project, facilitating the successful completion of assigned tasks and milestones.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Present a professional demeanor at all times. Approach others in a tactful manner. Reacts well under pressure. Treat others with respect and consideration, regardless of status or position. Accept responsibility for their own actions. Responds well to supervisor requests and feedback.
• Punctual at work 
• Adheres to eHealth Africa Code of Conduct as well as ethics of the profession.
• Participates in and promotes a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment. 

Who you are
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to successfully perform this job: 

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Architecture, Building Construction, Civil Engineering or any relevant course as it applies to this position. 
• A minimum of 7 years of related practical experience in construction and rehabilitation of public facilities, especially a hospital or Laboratory. 
• Possesses necessary practice license. 
• Project Management certification will be an advantage.
• The ability to interpret architectural and other engineering drawings is desired.

Personal Characteristics
The Site Coordinator should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following: 

• Adaptability: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Behaves Ethically: Understands ethical behavior and business practices, and ensures that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Builds Relationships: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicates Effectively: Speaks, listens and writes in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve the operations of the organization and create new opportunities.
• Focuses on Partner/Client Needs: Anticipates, understands, and responds to the needs of internal and external clients and partners to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Fosters Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Leads: Positively influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Makes Decisions: Assesses situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and makes clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organizes: Sets priorities, develops a work schedule, monitors progress towards goals, and tracks details, data, information and activities
• Plans: Determines strategies to move the organization forward, sets goals, creates and implements action plans, and evaluates the process and results.
• Solves Problems: Assesses problem situations to identify causes, gathers and processes relevant information, generates possible solutions, and makes recommendations and/or resolves the problem.
• Thinks Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee is frequently required to sit and use a computer and/or reach with hands and arms.

eHA Gender Diversity Statement:

• At eHealth Africa, diversity is integral to who we are. We value and honor diverse backgrounds and experiences, strive to create inclusive and equitable working environments that promote Learning, Fairness and Opportunities for all.