Technical Advisor

THE SALVATION ARMY WORLD SERVICE OFFICE

ALEXANDRIA, VA

Position Title: Technical Advisor – Construction & Real Estate Development (TA-CRED)

The Opportunity:

The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) is a 501(c)(3) international development organization dedicated to improving the health, economic, and spiritual conditions of people in poverty around the globe. For 45 years, we have been engaging individuals, families, and communities in evaluating their needs, creating transformational action plans, and implementing effective strategies to improve lives. We have an active portfolio of $57 million in projects throughout the world emphasizing local ownership and involvement as keys for lasting success.

SAWSO is searching for a highly capable, seasoned construction project manager and/or real-estate developer with experience delivering multi-site development projects consistently and at scale in the international context, preferably in the non-profit arena. The Salvation Army (TSA) owns global portfolios of building assets used for program purposes that require active management, planning, and further investment. This new position will assist TSA around the world in maintaining, redeveloping, and constructing building spaces to sustainably implement our mission and social programs. This position will increase SAWSO’s capacity to quickly assess the viability of potential projects, assist local partners in the design process, and supervise the implementation and management of a portfolio of construction and real estate development initiatives, all in the complex, cross-cultural context of how to best steward these assets and activate them for mission delivery.

Requires travel to country offices, international headquarters and other supporting offices as needed (estimated 15-20%). This position reports to the Director – International Business & Economic Development.

Essential Functions:     

1) Assess the feasibility of potential new renovation, development, or construction projects

• Conduct preliminary analyses (valuations, structural integrity, zoning permissions) on property assets owned by partner territories to identify options and ranked priorities based on opportunity and need.
• Provide the technical evaluation and development requirements of each site including initial estimates for construction/renovation costs, legal permissions, and licensing.
• Provide actionable reports to leadership to be used in prioritizing projects, changing, or closing facilities, etc.
• Assist in the creation of country-level policies for property priorities, policies and standards for selection of contractors, and multi-year maintenance schedules.

2) Consult in project design

• Support local partners in confirming required permits, coordinating all contractors including site supervisor, and authorizing initial architectural designs and bill of quantities estimates.
• Collaborate with sector technical advisors in the SAWSO Program Department to confirm appropriate program design, usage, and accessibility.
• Ensure alignment with accompanying sustainability and business plans including the potential for long-term operational and maintenance costs. Building costs must be held in strict relation to program use, sustainability plan and/or capacity for income-generation.
• Help to develop full coordinated schedules for key evaluations, stage completions, and cascading overlap of involvement to ensure projects are delivered at the earliest viable opportunity.

3) Monitor project implementation and management by working closely with local partners through regular calls, coaching, consulting, and ongoing training to:

• Assist in coordinating and managing bidding processes (owner’s agents, architects, contractors) and securing trusted site supervisors.
• Perform full review of architectural plans: site, structural, water systems, sanitation systems, electrical and mechanical systems.
• Review tender documents, contracts, BOQs, and other documentation as part of project approval and ongoing monitoring.
• Review and approve ongoing budgets and reports, provide analysis of agreed budget versus forecast versus final position, with input into pricing and sourcing of materials.
• Perform site visits at key project thresholds for quality and process control.
• Lead problem-solving discussions when challenges arise, including recommendations to pause or extend projects due to in-country factors (instability, inflation, etc).
• Remain vigilant for potential conflicts of interest, external threats or other forms of graft.
• Ensure health and safety requirements and international standards are being observed and adhered to throughout the development process.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, Real Estate Development or a related discipline required.

and

5+ years of professional work experience in general construction management, general or non-profit real estate development, structural engineering, or architectural design, preferably in international development arena with 5+ years of direct program management.

and

1-2 years’ experience of living and working in a developing country with international development programs, preferably in a management role.

or

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver’s license and passport

Authorized to work in the United States

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Fluency in MS Office.

Work experience and proficiency with AutoCAD software; familiarity with Procreate, Cinema 4D, Bluebeam, Timberline, and Vectorworks a plus.

Experience with CPM (critical path method) scheduling software preferred.

Exceptional communication skills (English fluency required; Spanish competency a plus). Excellent writing, presentation, analytical, and public speaking skills possessing the ability to articulate a clear and compelling case for support to potential funders.

Track record of strong contingency planning with the ability to leave margin and protection for all the unknowns that will be encountered.

Experience of managing third party contractors and advisors to hit critical milestones and deliver required results, with the ability to act under pressure and adapt to overcome risks and blockages.

Commercially astute, able to evaluate investment decisions considering local mission and program expectations balanced with the required levels of return.

Balances the needs and interests of various stakeholders and makes decisions involving competing goals, objectives, and alternatives. Prioritizes tasks and redirects work effort in response to changes in priorities.

Demonstrated proficiency in overcoming systemic barriers and internal conflict through proactive, managed conversations and creative, collaborative consensus-building to ensure projects are delivered at the earliest viable opportunity. A strong negotiator with the ability to adjust and adapt plans for the reality of local values and timelines, while still striving for the incorporation of best practices and industry standards.

Energetic, self-motivated, proactive, accountable, hands-on, and able to work independently.

Please submit CV and cover letter to usn.recruit@usn.salvationarmy.org with position title in the subject line.