Architect at ISM Africa in Nairobi, Kenya

    ISM Africa logo

    Architect

    ISM AfricaNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    5 days ago

    Apply by

    1 Sept

    Full Time
    On Site
    Senior
    Charity, NGO & Non-Profit
    Building & Architecture

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    Job Description

    We are seeking a highly skilled and professionally registered Building Architect to join our team and lead architectural components of our construction and infrastructure projects. This role is ideal for a motivated and legally accredited professional who is capable of not only designing buildings but also securing regulatory approvals, particularly planning permissions, through the use of their professional license. The Architect will play a central role throughout the lifecycle of our projects — from concept design and statutory compliance to construction supervision and final handover — ensuring all developments are executed to the highest standards of design, safety, functionality, and legal conformity.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Lead architectural design and planning for new developments, refurbishments, and renovations.
    • Prepare conceptual designs, detailed drawings, 3D models, specifications, and material selections.
    • Coordinate with structural engineers, quantity surveyors, MEP consultants, and project managers to ensure fully integrated project solutions.
    • Maintain design integrity and alignment with client requirements, budget, and site context.
    • Use your official Architectural Registration License to apply for and obtain planning permissions and other statutory approvals from relevant authorities.
    • Liaise with local planning offices, zoning departments, and compliance bodies to facilitate project approvals.
    • Ensure all designs conform with building codes, planning regulations, environmental standards, and other statutory requirements.
    • Participate in project scheduling, budgeting, and risk analysis.
    • Attend site meetings, conduct inspections, and monitor site works to ensure they align with design intent and statutory requirements.
    • Issue instructions and documentation e.g., site instructions, variation orders, progress reports to contractors as needed.
    • Ensure project execution adheres to architectural specifications, safety regulations, and legal conditions tied to approvals.
    • Engage with clients, contractors, consultants, and government officials to communicate design objectives and compliance strategies.
    • Act as the architectural authority on planning-related legal matters across the organization's portfolio of developments.

    Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture from a recognized institution.
    • Registered Architect with [Insert Registration Authority, e.g., Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya BORAQS, RIBA, AIA, etc.].
    • Valid license to practice as an Architect and to make statutory planning applications.
    • Minimum of 5 years of post-registration experience, including full project lifecycle delivery.
    • Strong portfolio demonstrating design excellence and regulatory success.
    • Deep knowledge of local planning laws, building codes, and approval processes.
    • Proficiency in architectural software e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Suite.
    • Strong communication and negotiation skills with ability to interface with regulatory bodies and multi-disciplinary teams.
    • High attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and time management.
    • Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with broader project teams.
    • Experience in sustainable design, green building practices, or LEED certification processes.
    • Knowledge of construction contract administration and project procurement strategies.
    • Previous experience working in the East African development or construction context.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Building & Architecture

    Minimum Experience

    5 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Architecture

    Field of Study

    Architecture

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to ISM Africa on www.linkedin.com to apply.

    Show Regulatory Mastery in Your Portfolio

    This role demands more than design flair — it's about proving you can steer projects through Kenya's planning and approval maze. Your application should scream 'I know how to get buildings approved and built.'

    1. Lead with your license: Make your BORAQS registration and practicing license impossible to miss on your CV. Hiring managers for this post scan for that credential first — put it in your summary and under your name.

    2. Show approvals, not just drawings: For each project in your portfolio, list the specific planning permissions and statutory approvals you secured. Quantify where possible — e.g., 'obtained change of use approval for a 12-storey mixed-use development in 4 months.'

    3. Prove your software depth: This role expects AutoCAD, Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Suite. Don't just list them — attach a sample of a Revit model or a SketchUp massing study to your application.

    4. Highlight East African context: If you've worked on projects in Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda, feature them prominently. The posting specifically asks for East African experience, so show you know the local codes, materials, and approval culture.

    5. Demonstrate coordination skills: You'll work with structural, MEP, and QS teams. In your CV, describe a project where you integrated multiple disciplines — mention how you resolved clashes and kept the design intact.

    6. Talk sustainability: Sustainable design and LEED experience are a plus. If you have any green building projects, even small ones, highlight them — it shows you're forward-thinking.

    7. Prepare for the site: Expect questions about site supervision and issuing instructions. Have a story ready about a time you caught a contractor deviating from drawings and how you handled it.

    8. Know your numbers: Be ready to discuss project budgets and risk analysis. Review a past project's cost breakdown and be prepared to explain how you managed design changes without blowing the budget.

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    Tags

    Architect
    BORAQS
    planning permissions
    AutoCAD
    Revit