Construction Lead, International Operations

Description

Position Title: Construction LeadReports to: Senior Technical Lead, Project DevelopmentLocation: The role can be based in the U.S., Rwanda, Lesotho, or Malawi. Up to 75% travel required. Employment Type: Full-Time (~40 hours/week), Fixed Term Contract (program fully funded through 30 June 2030)Work Authorization: Please note that eligible candidates must have work authorization for any employer in one of the following: the U.S., Rwanda, Lesotho, or Malawi. PIH is not able to sponsor work authorization for this role. Please submit a cover letter with your application that describes your specific motivation for working with Partners In Health as a Construction Lead. Position OverviewThe Construction Lead will provide implementation technical support and oversight for major construction projects at Partners In Health (PIH)-supported health facilities worldwide, including a hospital expansion project in Rwanda and a new pharmacy and operations warehouse build in Liberia. The Construction Lead will ensure the safety, quality, and functionality of new facilities across PIH’s infrastructure portfolio and bring deep technical expertise and experience in construction management to the PIH team.The ideal candidate has at least eight years of direct implementation experience managing construction projects in limited resource/humanitarian settings, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa. They have demonstrated success: managing construction contractors; creating and reviewing designs and bills of quantities; coordinating civil, structural, and mechanical, engineering, and plumbing (MEP) works; and resolving technical issues on site. This role requires a background in civil or structural engineering, architecture, or construction management.The Construction Lead will collaborate closely with PIH’s infrastructure, clinical, operations, and finance teams to deliver durable, context-appropriate infrastructure. The role requires a proactive, organized professional who can balance technical rigor with flexibility and appropriate communication in complex environments. This role will be part of PIH’s International Operations team but collaborate closely with colleagues on PIH’s care delivery site teams as well as other stakeholders at Ministries of Health, other partners, and construction contractors. Responsibilities: 50% Project Management

• Manage major PIH capital projects (>$2 million USD) such as hospital, warehouse, or health center construction. Support country teams in developing construction scopes of work, drawings, bills of quantities, budgets, and procurement documentation.
• Assist with contract drafting and negotiation, construction contractor prequalification, bid/tender technical and financial analysis, and supplier vetting for building materials and construction equipment.
• Organize and lead meetings with key project stakeholders—e.g., PIH country and global teams, Ministry of Health colleagues, and other partners. Drive progress, accountability, and coordination across teams.
• Provide frequent on-site supervision and support from mobilization through handover.
• Maintain alignment, communication, and trust among all project participants.
• Create regular quality, progress, and budget reports for senior management. 25% Technical Mentorship
  • Train and mentor site engineers, supervisors, and facilities staff in construction supervision, quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and safety practices.
  • Build local team capacity in contractor management, engineering, drafting, and documentation.
  • Provide limited support to site project managers for lower-risk projects to ensure quality, safety, and schedule adherence across civil, structural, and MEP works.25% Technical Assistance
    • Provide technical leadership for design, engineering, construction, and rehabilitation of PIH-supported health facilities in Africa, Haiti, and Latin America.
    • Develop PIH global construction standards and QA/QC systems.
    • Troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate with Facilities Engineering, clinical, and biomedical teams to ensure integrated systems and compliant designs.
    • Participate in emergency response and disaster recovery efforts as needed.Key Deliverables (First year of employment):
      • 90 days: Conduct a baseline assessment of upcoming major capital projects across PIH and establish a global construction plan.
      • 6 months: Implement a global construction project process (i.e., feasibility/scope development, planning, design, procurement/contractor selection, contractor management, operations and maintenance planning, handover/closeout).
      • 1 year: Standardize construction documentation and QA/QC processes across sites and provide direct management support for at least one major capital project >$2 million USD. Build sustained local capacity for capital project delivery. Create or finalize full as-built packages for all PIH Core Infrastructure program facilities (site plan, civil, electrical, plumbing, life safety).Qualifications, Experience, and Skills:Required:
        • 8+ years of experience in construction management, with direct field experience delivering large-scale projects ($2 million +) in limited resource/humanitarian settings, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Experience delivering healthcare infrastructure projects strongly preferred.
        • Bachelor’s Degree in Structural or Civil Engineering or Architecture. An advanced degree and/or professional licensure e.g. Professional Engineer, Chartered Architect, or the local equivalent will be an asset.
        • Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam Revu, SketchUp, or similar design and construction software, with the ability to create, review, and interpret drawings, site layouts, and bills of quantities. Matterport and/or CMMS experience a plus.
        • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to civil, structural, and MEP works in complex environments.
        • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated experience working with remote teams in non-hierarchical organizations.
        • Ability and motivation to travel frequently and work for extended periods at remote construction sites in the Global South.Preferred:
          • Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and tools.
          • Fluency in English required; working proficiency in other languages spoken at PIH sites a plus, particularly Kinyarwanda or French.Core Values and Competencies:
            • Demonstrates the organization’s core values of: Commitment, Humility, Integrity and Pragmatic Solidarity/Accompaniment
            • Accountability – Able to accept responsibility for one's actions, outcomes, and those of their team.
            • Achieving results – Able to set realistic goals, put plans into action, monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and apply lessons learned.
            • Adaptability – Able to adapt to change, to balance multiple demands, consider new approaches, and persist towards solutions in changing circumstances.
            • Teamwork – Able to work well with others to achieve common goals. Exemplary interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively with staff across departments and countries.
            • Leading + Supervising – Able to build effective teams, direct and develop staff, and manage others to meaningful outcomes. Organizational Profile
              Partners In Health (PIH) is a non-profit, global health organization that fights social injustice by bringing the benefits of modern medical science first and foremost to the most vulnerable communities around the world. PIH focuses on those who would not otherwise have access to quality health care. PIH partners with the world’s leading academic institutions to create rigorous evidence that shapes more sound and all-inclusive global health policies. PIH also supports local governments’ efforts to build capacity and strengthen national health systems. As of today, PIH runs programs in 11 countries (Haiti, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Navajo Nation, Peru, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, United States), where it provides direct care to millions of patients, through public facilities and community engagement. Partners In Health (PIH) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. It is the policy of PIH not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex and gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. PIH works in and with a number of governments in and outside the U.S., and to the extent applicable, this statement is intended to incorporate the prohibition of any unlawful discrimination covered by applicable laws in such countries, states and municipalities. Partners In Health participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of applicable background checks. Pay and Benefits For candidates based in the US, the expected starting salary is between $75,000-85,000/year and may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the market for the position, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The position belongs to a class of roles that have a salary range between $70,000-95,000/year. Within the US, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, eligible employees may enroll in a 401(k) plan with employer match, as well as participate in organization-sponsored medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents. Full time employees will receive 15 days of vacation, 12 sick days, 3 personal days, and 3 volunteer days in addition to paid time off during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the week of July 4th, and 11 additional holidays annually. For candidates based outside the US, the expected starting salary range and benefits varies by country of residence. This information will be shared with all candidates who advance during the recruitment process.