The company has launched a large-scale, franchise-like network of ultra low-cost, for-profit private primary schools in Kenya, and will expand across Africa. The schools profitably deliver high-quality education for less than $4 per child per month. Local school managers are able to operate their school businesses profitably, while creating a highly successful business at the central level.
This ensures that the school is not dependent on the vagaries of donor funding, but will rather continue to serve the communities as long as parents value the educational service we provide. To ensure the delivery of high quality education, Bridge International writes its own curriculum using Direct Instruction methodology. They also train and support their own teachers.
Bridge have already launched the first 12 schools in their network in the slums of Nairobi with tremendous success, and plan to rapidly scale the company to serve
more than 1 million families in Africa.
Project Architect
About this position
Bridge International Academies is looking an experienced Project Architect to help our construction team with the design, drawing and supervision of low cost schools. This position involves iterative and repeated update and review of Bills of Quantities.
The individual must be very comfortable working in informal environments and must have managed multiple projects that are geographically dispersed.
More specifically:
- The individual will be managing anywhere from 10-30 construction projects simultaneously. These projects are not complex, but the deadlines are tight (less than 6 weeks) and the resources are limited. As a result, timeliness will be critical to ensure that projects take off within the stipulated timelines.
- The architect shall prepare typical layout and detailed drawings for standard application in the construction of the branded schools.
- In addition to standard drawings, the architect shall prepare site-specific site layouts, and ground preparation schemes.
- Working closely with the land acquisition team, tasks shall include site measurement, site evaluation, site analysis and ground preparation prior to commencement of construction.
- Reviewing and continuously improving the school design to enhance space utilization and ergonomics of the spaces and furniture.
- Reviewing typical BQs to adjust for changes due to specific site conditions, design reviews or process improvement.
About You
- Minimum of 4 to 5 years experience in a busy architectural design environment handling multiple projects concurrently.
- Demonstrated experience in production of construction detail drawings.
- Excellent AutoCAD/ArchiCAD/Artlantis skills and experience including 3D and rendering.
- Must be able to manage competing demands, accept criticism and constructive feedback, while being extremely adaptable and flexible.
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills are required
- Ability to identify potential problems, conflicts, and delays before they become an issue and communicate them clearly to the Head of Department.
- Good people management skills that result in timely completion of deliverables.
- Demonstrated ability to solve problems.
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office.