Officer, Physical Planning at Bridge International

About the Role

This role will ensure that our academy sites have appropriate planning approvals from the relevant government bodies. Work on the field working tirelessly to ensure that our processes are moving forward. 

What You Will Do

• Getting development approvals in areas assigned
• Compiling relevant documents to be attached to planning briefs before circulation
• Displaying public notices on site and lodging the planning briefs at relevant councils in areas assigned
• Following up on development applications until they have been approved by the relevant council;
• Collecting pertinent data from the field required to draft the applications;
• Collecting relevant documents and details from approving authorities required during the drafting of the development applications;
• Collecting and reporting on any relevant information that may directly or indirectly affect the planning applications.
• Establishing and maintaining a network of contact persons
• Launching NEMA reports for intended projects
• Negotiating with local authorities to grant permission to construct pending planning approvals as required
• Undertake any other specific projects as necessary.

What You Should Have

• Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning or environmental management related course from a top from a recognized university
• Should have a valid NEMA license
• Experience working in community development projects in low-income/informal environments
• Experience in fast-growth, rapid-scale contexts in terms of obtaining development approvals (PPA2, Approved building plans and NEMA licenses), creating a network of contacts in relevant approving authorities, resolving development disputes, etc. – e.g. A highly established physical planning firm
• Experience working with a culturally and socioeconomically diverse workforce
• High energy and enthusiasm level; willingness to do whatever necessary to get the job done
• Team player in highly selective, fast-paced, building and construction environments
• Should have prior work experience working with local authorities.
• Excellent computer skills in MS Office
• Have the flexibility to travel to different parts of the Country at short notice

You’re also

• A detailed doer - You have a track record of getting things done. You’re organized and responsive. You take ownership of every idea you touch and execute it to a fine level of detail, setting targets, engaging others, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. You can multi-task dozens of such projects at once and never lose sight of the details. Likely, you have some experience in a start-up or other rapid-growth company.
• A creative problem-solver - Growing any business from scratch comes with massive and constant challenges. On top of that, Bridge works in often fragile, sometimes volatile low-resource communities and with complex government systems. You need to be flexible and ready to get everything done effectively, quickly, and affordably with the materials at hand.
• A relentless advocate - The children we serve and teachers we empower never leave your mind. You know them, get them, have shared a meal with them (or would be happy to in the future). You would never shrink back from shaking a parent’s hand or picking up a crying child, no matter what the person was wearing or looked like. Every decision you make considers their benefit, experience, and value.
• A malleable learner - You believe you can always do better. You welcome constructive criticism and provide it freely to others. You know you only get better tomorrow when others point out where you’ve missed things or failed today.
• A data-driven decision-maker - When making decisions, you don’t rely your intuition alone. You collect data, you analyze it and make decisions with clear justifications.
• A curious investigator - You ask why a lot. You don’t just take what you see and accept it. You wonder why it is that way, and are aware that the world we see is created by human choices and actions - and it could be different. You wonder, and see the world as wonderful even when you want to change a part of it that is unjust.