Takween’s mission focuses on innovative and concrete solutions that have been researched, tested and implemented to meet the needs of communities and their specific built environments to achieve inclusive urban spaces that will thrive for generations to come. With this mission, Takween aims to improve the quality for inhabitants living in cities across Egypt and the Middle East.
SENIOR ARCHITECT
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Location
Cairo with possible travel for site visits
Department
Design & Planning Unit
Closing Date
Thursday, March 14, 2024
About the job
The primary role is to provide support to Takween-ICD urban development program in areas of research, documentation, design, execution, and communication activities. The Senior Architect will be engaged under the supervision of the Project Manager in different project phases including mobilizations, assessment, planning and implementation. The Senior Architect is expected to work in a range of fields of interventions including urban upgrading, participatory design of public open space interventions, architectural design and detailed urban planning/redevelopment of existing urban areas.
The Senior Architect will work with in-house technical teams and external consultants - under the supervision of Project Manager - to produce full and integrated architectural/urban design packages (from concept to tendering stages) in areas of architectural design, and architectural/urban conservation of heritage sites. The Senior Architect will be responsible with the team for the following:
Develop and verify adaptive reuse / preliminary intervention plans for heritage sites prior to any conservation activity.
Develop and verify adaptive reuse / preliminary intervention plans for heritage sites prior to any conservation activity.
Development of multidisciplinary technical architectural packages (plans, sections, elevations, BoQs and 3D Models) and establishment of partnerships to conserve, rehabilitate and reuse heritage sites and buildings.
Development of intervention plans and Requests for Proposals (RfPs) and evaluation/selection of qualified subcontractors.
Implementation/Overseeing the implementation of the approved interventions utilizing international best practices.
Capacity development and hands-on training of the relevant stakeholders (Antiquities, Tourism, Governorates, private sector actors, community members, etc.) in areas of Site Management Planning and scientific methods of conservation, restoration and adaptive reuse of heritage sites.
Handing over the sites to the relevant GoE entity and produce site handing over report.
Conduct post-occupancy surveys for site/building and documentation of the process.
Key Result Areas
Project Management / Technical Responsibilities
Documentation of the different targeted sites, field surveys, and analysis/assessment of the existing site conditions to produce accurate and reliable documentation packages (photographic, measured drawings, condition surveys, etc.).
Conduct participatory design sessions with the different stakeholders to assess their needs and secure their approvals to produce responsive design options.
Manage in consultation with the different project teams and consultants—the development of design options to produce environmentally / financially sound, and architecturally appropriate intervention packages (from concept to tendering stages) including design drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities, Cost Estimates, etc.
Conduct – under the supervision of the Project Manager – negotiations and conflict resolution activities with the different stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of activities and the timely execution of respective tasks and responsibilities.
Develop – under the supervision of the Project Manager – Requests for Proposals (RfPs) for the different projects’ consultants to ensure the clarity of the required scope and its compliance with the projects’ requirements.
Interface with the different projects’ consultants and review/approve their work throughout the different design and implementation stages to ensure the quality and timeliness of their agreed deliverables as well as their compliance with the approved codes and building regulations.
Manage inhouse technical teams and external consultants to provide –in a timely and clear manner- the implementation teams/Subcontractors with accurate detailed drawings, written technical specifications and notes accompanying the drawings to reflect the proposed intervention methods and construction techniques, to comply with applicable safety requirements and by-laws; and to ensure the proper communication and the accurate implementation of approved intervention packages. codes and building regulations.
Conduct the proper documentation of before and after intervention conditions and of different design and implementation stages (through photography, videography, written narratives, drawings, etc.) to produce adaptive reuse manuals, process documentation materials, as-built drawings, etc.
Development and implementation of technical capacity building workshops with local stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation and documentation of the workshops and the achievement of their planned objectives.
Administrative and Financial Management
Review consultants’ contracts, requests for payments, and claims --in compliance with the project’s policies and procedures—to ensure the proper management of consultants’ contracts and the timely implementation of the activities.
Archive of the projects’ data (documents, drawings, sketches, filed notes, photographs, digital materials, etc.) to ensure the proper maintenance and accessibility of the projects’ archives.
Human Resource Management
Oversee and evaluate the performance of the architects and manage their workloads to ensure their motivation, their effective performance, and the proper implementation of the project's HR policies.
Communication and Reporting
Track and report to the Project Manager progress of technical activities through production and tracking of time schedules to: i) monitor technical progress vs. approved time schedules and budgets, ii) analyze the results based on the facts achieved, iii) forecast future technical achievements, and iv) carry out necessary adjustments and rescheduling to meet the scheduled objectives and deadlines.
Supervise the preparation and timely submission of technical progress and final reports required by the project management and the different project stakeholders to ensure the accuracy, quality and timeliness of the required reports and materials.
Attend and conduct regular coordination meetings with project staff, consultants, and stakeholders as required; and report on a regular basis progress of activities to the Project Manager to ensure the timely and coordinated implementation of project activities.
Requirements
Qualification:
B. Sc. in architecture/urban planning, or equivalent University degree in related area of study Experience.
Experience:
8-12 years of working experience in urban development, urban upgrading and projects development (minimum 5 years in management position).
Knowledge:
Fair understanding of critical urban planning issues in the Egyptian context.
Familiarity with urban conservation, upgrading of informal areas, housing, and participatory planning issues.
In-depth understanding of production and coordination of design packages, technical drawings, and tender documents.
Skills:
Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is a must.
Excellent analytical and writing skills in Arabic and English is desirable.
Strong interpersonal communications skills.
Excellent working knowledge MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite: (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premier), AutoCAD, relevant 3D modeling, 3D Max, Lumion, Vray, Sketchup with supportive render plugins.
Graphic design, photography and sketching skills are an advantage.
Competencies:
Ability to work under high pressure and carry out multi-tasks in simultaneous projects.
Self-motivation and willingness to learn.
Creativity and ability to seek and explore innovative solutions.
Strong planning and organizational skills to cope with expected workload.
Accountability and high commitment to the company’s quality standards and code of ethics.
Effective communication of ideas and design solutions with clients and team members.
Active Listening: In addition to clearly communicating information to others, you must be able to understand what others are sharing with you.
Problem Solving: Problems will inevitably arise during most projects. You must be able to quickly identify and then solve them to keep the project moving forward.
Critical Thinking: Good problem solving requires the ability to evaluate possible solutions before choosing the most promising one.
Location:
The position will work at the Main office in Cairo, with possible trips to site work location. Accommodation and transportation are covered.
About us
Takween Integrated Community Development (Takween) is an urban development firm established in 2009 in Egypt by a dynamic team with extensive experience, in response to a foreseen growing demand for innovative urban solutions in a world where it is predicted that by 2030, 60% of the world’s inhabitants will be living in urban centers. Takween specializes in the development of integrated packages in urban development services and solutions to support and complement efforts of tackling urban challenges. Takween provides project planning, design, and implementation services to a range of local and international clients. Takween fields of interventions include integrated urban development and upgrading, heritage management and conservation, community development and mobilization, participatory design and planning, and construction activities.