AWF Jobs Kenya. Facilities Manager

Facilities Manager Jobs at African Wildlife Foundation

African Wildlife Foundation is seeking a Facilities Manager, who will play a key role in the development and growth of the ACS program. The position will work closely with the Managing Director and Program Manager to ensure that new sites have campus designs and concepts that adhere to the fundamental principles of the ACS initiative, and oversee the long-term maintenance and care of ACS-supported infrastructure.

In Africa, the best schools, qualified teachers, and majority of educational resources typically end up in cities and towns. The disadvantages rural schools face in accessing quality education in comparison to their urban counterparts is problematic. The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) intends to upend this paradigm. In September 2013, AWF announced a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to build at least 15 new conservation primary schools over the next ten years. The aim is to build modern “campuses” that are thoughtfully conceived, designed, and constructed, and give students in rural areas of Africa access to the same—if not better—educational resources as their urban counterparts. This is AWF’s African Conservation Schools (ACS) initiative.

ACS provides communities with educational opportunities and resources in exchange for the community’s participation in conservation. ACS is about more than simply constructing or renovating school buildings. ACS intends to deliver improved educational outcomes for children through teacher professional development, conservation curriculum, technology and media, and others areas of need. Further, AWF aims to build a sense of ongoing community ownership of ACS schools, and a sustainable economic model linking in local businesses.

ACS does not own or operate any schools—ACS projects are public schools. Our goal is to support the foundation for good education, while improving the capacity of teachers, communities, and education ministries to ensure the ongoing advancement of the school and AWF’s conservation agenda. To achieve this, the ACS needs an expert in architectural design, construction project management and infrastructure/facilities maintenance who has a passionate commitment to the ACS design manual and model, with the experience and background to lead infrastructure development of the ACS program.

Facilities Manager Job Responsibilities

Strategy Development

Update ACS construction protocol to ensure that all ACS school campuses meet a basic standard of quality, cost-effectiveness and attractiveness;

Revise and update the ACS Design Manual to be used to guide the design of all ACS-supported schools;

Research and understand minimum school construction requirements by governments in each of the ACS operational countries. Ensure all designs meet or exceed government minimum standards;

Research and understand UNESCOs manual for child-friendly schools; incorporate key elements into ACS Design Manual; and

Ensure school development strategy is updated and revised as the ACS program grows and matures.

Implementation

Oversee construction protocol at each school site;

Manage design and construction process for ACS: oversee architects, and ensure contractors meet quality standards;

Engage with architects to obtain necessary approvals of designs by local government departments and Ministries of Education;

Work closely with local architects to engage with contractors before, during and after construction, to ensure approved designs are followed, and actual construction meets quality expectations;

Provide key input into the infrastructure and landscaping designs of each school;

Oversee procurement of furniture and other basic equipment needs at the school, including potential renewable energy sources (solar electricity systems);

Oversee the development of maintenance protocols and check lists for school staff and communities to follow post-construction;

Work closely with ministry staff and school representatives to ensure maintenance protocols are understood and followed;

Ensure timely receipt, review and analysis of quarterly maintenance reports;

Develop annual maintenance audit procedures, ensure each site has an annual maintenance audit performed;

Develop annual report on school infrastructure status, adherence to maintenance plans, and foreseeable budgetary implications of maintenance needs;

Perform period assessment of ACS school campus construction costs; and

Provide advice, guidance, and assistance to AWF facilities team on other, non-ACS construction projects as needed.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Work with the ACS Managing Director and Program Manager to identify metrics to measure success and effectiveness of the maintenance protocol;

Develop, test and refine metrics to measure success of ACS (facilities management);

Design process for data collection and recording of facilities management data;

Test data collection process, collect and record data for Manyara Ranch, Ilima, Lupani and Adisge; and

Produce initial evaluation on ACS implementation.

Field Outreach

Establish strong relationships with school stakeholders including Ministries of Education, architects, school principals and communities to lay foundation for collaboration on school development;

Develop strong network of architects and contractors in ACS countries of operation; and

Act as ACS ambassador in local communities when in the field, promoting the linkages between education and conservation with partners (communities, Ministries of Education, etc.)

Industry Knowledge

Keep up to date on cost effective construction practices in Africa that are innovative and eco-friendly;

Research and understand new approaches to education construction; and

Act as ACS’s expert in new construction approaches, techniques, and methodologies.
Qualifications for Facilities Manager Jobs in Kenya


Bachelor’s degree in architecture, sustainable design, or related relevant degree required; advanced degree in related field preferred.

At least 5 years’ working experience, including prior experience in architecture design and/or construction and property management, or other relevant experiences on the African continent required; experiences in rural African contexts strongly preferred.

Excellent English oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity. Knowledge of French and/or local languages strongly preferred.

The entrepreneurial drive and passion to maximize the potential of the ACS program.

Willingness to travel to remote areas throughout Africa.

Commitment to conservation and primary school education in Africa.

Closing Date: August 30, 2015

Click HERE to apply online

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