Orkidstudio is a rapidly growing social enterprise based in Nairobi, Kenya, and working across East Africa and Zambia. Orkidstudio strives to create dignified, safe and healthy buildings through an exceptional end-to-end design and construction process, which uses local materials and promotes opportunities for women. We are seeking an experienced quantity surveyor to join our expanding team.
Job Description
Reporting to: Construction Director.
Experience: 8+ years relevant professional employment.
Salary: KES 3.0-3.6M per annum (company pay grade 4.3-4.4)
Qualities: Passionate about contributing to social change through building; independent and proactive worker; ability to perform to an exceptionally high standard under pressure; initiative; flexibility and adaptability.
Orkidstudio is looking to employ a Senior Quantity Surveyor to create project budgets, value engineer designs, and conduct on-site valuations. The successful applicant will be able to work within a dynamic and highly challenging environment alongside a talented and committed team driven by a desire to promote positive social impact and high performance.
The Quantity Surveyor shall be a self-starter able to handle all project costing exercises, from early, high-level budgeting input to bid creation to detailed auditing of on-site projects. The role, though considered as part of Orkidstudio’s Construction team, will involve significant cooperation with Design, Procurement and Finance teams. You shall hold the relevant degree or professional qualifications and up-to-date knowledge of both practical and theoretical aspects of quantity surveying with a strong grasp of current tools and techniques. Although primarily office-based in Nairobi, you will be required to travel within Nairobi, across Kenya, and occasionally in other East African countries.
Desired Candidate Profile
Competencies:
Commercial awareness;
Decision-making;
A clear sense of direction and the ability to contribute effectively in a vibrant team environment;
A disciplined approach to company processes including finance and procurement procedures;
Administration and record keeping;
Diligence in maintaining company documents;
Readiness to share information with multiple company departments;
Highly numerate and analytical both quantitively and qualitatively;
Ability to think critically and problem solve;
Ability to spot ambiguity and provide clarity;
Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach;
Commitment to upholding the company’s social responsibility mandate;
A desire for transparency in both working practice and the wider construction industry;
Adaptability within a fast moving and evolving work-space;
Negotiation skills;
A desire to strive for excellence seeking out ways for professional and company improvement;
Integrity.
Key Responsibilities:
Supporting and leading project planning and implementation;
Completion of initial cost and feasibility studies;
Defining project tasks, resource requirements and materials/labour schedules;
Developing project cost plans including cashflow and resource forecasting;
Estimating;
Negotiating tender sums with sub-contractors;
Accurate tender generation, analysis and reporting;
Preparation of tender agreements and bills of quantities;
Assisting architectural design through value management and value engineering including comparative cost analysis;
Helping to developing and maintain a database of current market rates;
Conducting in-situ construction valuations;
Liaising with staff, suppliers, clients, funders and other partners;
Resolution of contractual disputes;
Advising on contractual implications of project management decisions;
Tracking project deliverables using appropriate tools and software;
Providing real-time project information;
Change management;
Assisting in the production of detailed and accurate schedules;
Post-project evaluations and analysis to generate insight for performance improvement;
Effective and efficient liaison with multiple departments and external parties.
Key Skills:
High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel;
Ability to quickly grasp new software if required;
Knowledge of multiple contract types;
Strong general knowledge of construction processes and building methods;Demonstrable quantitative excellence;
Excellent verbal and written English language communication skills;
Organisational skills and the ability to multitask;
Experience with CCS or other construction budgeting software is desirable;
Experience with AutoCAD is desirable;
Working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
