Job Description
Background Information for VHW Estate and Facilities Department
After ten 10 years of operations, VHW is engaging in a number of diverse construction project, the largest of which are the construction of a new 150 bed hospital, and school. With this expansion, campus infrastructure is becoming a multi-disciplinary department providing a comprehensive infrastructure planning and management services to a variety of facilities. The mission of the department of facilities is to ensure that the VHW’s land, property assets and related physical
resources are capable of supporting the operations and other business of the organization in a safe, effective and efficient manner and dignified environment. The department is responsible for advising on, and contributing to the strategic and operational management of VHW’s land and property portfolio. VHW’s estate is currently split into two sites: one for health and the other for education.
Position Overview
This position is based in Burundi. It requires strategic vision, management expertise and practical experience to lead, manage and enhance VHW’s estate, and to provide a wide range of services across the organization. The Director of Estate, Facilities and Maintenance will carry substantial budgetary and staff management responsibilities for the Estate, Facilities and Maintenance Department. The director will report to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) or country director in the absence of the COO.
The director will be in charge of the management and coordination of work projects for the construction, renovation and ongoing maintenance of all physical infrastructure of Village Health Works in Burundi, including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), working in coordination with architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors and staff to achieve these goals. Director of Estate, Facilities and Maintenance does related work as required.
Responsibilities Include (but not limited to)
Responsibilities include the regular inspection of vehicles and Facilities for repair and maintenance purposes, the planning of work required, and estimates of material costs, procurement system and scheduling required. Liaison is maintained with all departments to ensure that their support service needs are met in these areas. Work is performed with considerable independence in accordance with prescribed rules and regulations;
Management of all aspects of the organization’s estate, its related resources and facilities to provide a dignified physical support environment commensurate with the VHW’s mission;
Provision of long-term comprehensive and integrated physical resource planning for the organization, its staff and systems, to create the basis for exploiting the full potential of VHW’s physical resources;
Provision of strategic leadership and effective management of the Estate and Facilities, and accountability for the efficient and effective provision of comprehensive client centered services for Estate planning, management and Facility support activities;
Provision of effective leadership and management of health, security, safety & environmental matters for the organization as a whole;
Assignment of personnel and material resources to maintenance and repair projects, using high quality building standards;
Administration and monitoring of service contracts to ensure work is properly performed and processes claims for payment working closely with the finance office;
Supervision of work of contractors in connection with the maintenance and improvement of buildings and building facilities;
Director conducts periodic inspections of buildings, roads and WASH, evaluates the complexity of any needed repairs to determine best solution, projects job cost, and oversees the implementation of approved procedures to ensure the ongoing efficient operation of assigned facilities;
Maintenance of ongoing relationships with all department units to keep abreast of their service needs and to be able to anticipate
problems before they become crisis situations;
Supervision and training of staff in the approved practices and procedures for proper facility maintenance and in the implementation and observance of all approved safety and security procedures to ensure compliance with existing safety regulations;
Director will conduct performance appraisals, maintain time and attendance records and handles disciplinary problems of assigned building service staff and other infrastructure;
Usage of computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments;
Director may access protected health information (PHI) in accordance with departmental assignments and guidelines defining levels of access (i.e. incidental vs. extensive);
Director of Facilities and Maintenance ensures that his/her department is:
- strategically focused to support the achievement of VHW’s key objectives in the development of the estate and its services in a dignified environment;
- well managed and operationally effective, having in place robust and efficient systems and processes relating to all aspects of its activities;
- Underpinned by a strong service ethos which places staff and others on the campus at the forefront of all its activities.
Qualifications
Thorough knowledge of the techniques, procedures and processes used for the efficient operation of infrastructure services; good knowledge of construction practices; good knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision; ability to establish effective working relationships with professional, technical, management and clerical staff; ability to prepare evaluation reports; ability to schedule activities / projects and to meet emergency situations; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English and French; ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments; ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate sufficiently to perform the essential duties of the position; good judgment; initiative; resourcefulness; integrity; reliability; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
Minimum Education and Experience Required
Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree (civil engineering and or environmental health preferred), a minimum of ten years of experience in well regarded institutions and where the primary function of the position was supervisory experience in private institutional building operations. For this purpose, building operations is defined as the general maintenance and repair of buildings which must have included oversight of renovation projects in buildings and which must have involved application of one or more of the building trades (i.e. carpentry, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.) in the course of work.
Excellent knowledge in civil, mechanical or electrical technology, building construction, engineering, architecture or related field. Unless otherwise noted, only experience gained after attaining the minimum education level indicated in the minimum qualifications will be considered in evaluating experience.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience; competitive benefit package provided.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a resume, a two-page cover letter and three references to jobs@villagehealthworks.org. Applications will be considered until the post is filled. Only selected applicants will be contacted for interviews. Those applicants will be informed whether or not their application will move forward after the interview. We will be unable to respond to candidates who are not called for interview. The job posting will be removed from the VHW website when the post has been filled.
VHW considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. VHW is an equal opportunity employer. If you have any further questions, please email us at: info@villagehealthworks.org
About the Organization
Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization operating in Burundi, East Africa. Founded in 2006, VHW’s mission is to build a healthier and more just, peaceful and prosperous society by providing quality health care in a dignified environment while addressing the root causes and social determinants of diseases, neglect and violence. Accordingly, we have integrated in our health care programs, education, agriculture, economic and community development.With over 200 full time staff and over 200 part-time employees in Burundi, and a small staff in the US, VHW continues to grow and expand its infrastructure in Burundi, including the new construction of a 120 bed hospital, a teacher training program and a school (Pre-K to 12) that will implement an education model based on critical thinking.
For more information, please visit www.villagehealthworks.org.
0 Comments