Architect

Job Title:Architect / Building Condition Specialist Healthcare Facility Assessment

Department: Health Advisory Services

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Travel: International (frequent travel required)

Employment Type: 6-month Contract / Project-based assignment

Start Date: ASAP

Main Purpose of the Job

Our client requires an Architect / Building Condition Specialist, who is responsible for conducting comprehensive architectural, structural, and functional assessments of existing healthcare facilities worldwide. The role evaluates building condition, structural integrity, architectural layout, spatial functionality, and compliance with international healthcare design standards to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for rehabilitation, modernisation, renovation, or expansion.

Person Specification

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, or Building Engineering, or equivalent (Master's preferred).
• Professional registration (RA, CEng, or equivalent jurisdiction) is an advantage.

Desired Experience

• 710 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 3 years specifically in hospital/healthcare facility design, construction, renovation, master planning, or technical due diligence / condition assessments.

Core Knowledge Required

• International healthcare design and safety standards (FGI Guidelines, NFPA 101, HTM 00 series, Australasian HFG, IEEA, WHO, etc.).
• Infection prevention and control principles in built environment design (clean/dirty zoning, pressure cascades, barrier nursing).
• Structural assessment, building pathology, faade and envelope performance.
• Hospital functional planning, patient flow, departmental relationships, and circulation design.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit/BIM, Bluebeam, MS Office, and photographic documentation tools.
• Strong technical report writing and visual communication skills.

Languages Required

• English (fluent required)
• Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, or Urdu (highly advantageous)

Behavioural Competencies Analytical Thinking & Data Fluency | Technical Precision | Creative Problem-Solving | Collaboration | Attention to Detail | Stakeholder Communication

Job Specification Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Structural & Architectural Condition Assessment

• Perform detailed on-site inspections of hospital buildings to evaluate structural integrity, material condition, and architectural performance.
• Assess building envelope (roofing, faade, waterproofing, insulation, flooring, fenestration).
• Identify defects, deterioration, seismic vulnerabilities, and code non-conformities.
• Review as-built drawings against actual conditions and document variances with photographs and annotated plans.
• Evaluate compliance with life-safety, structural, and accessibility standards applicable to healthcare facilities.

2. Functional & Spatial Evaluation

• Analyse departmental layouts, patient/staff/visitor circulation, and clean vs. contaminated flow segregation.
• Assess adequacy and suitability of critical clinical spaces (OTs, ICU, ED, imaging, wards, support services).
• Review horizontal and vertical circulation (corridors, stairs, ramps, elevators) for capacity, accessibility, and emergency evacuation compliance.
• Verify adherence to infection prevention zoning and clinical adjacency requirements.

3. Evaluation & Recommendations

• Classify findings by severity and urgency (Critical / Major / Minor / Opportunity).
• Develop prioritised renovation, refurbishment, or expansion recommendations supported by justification, risk rating, photographs, and sketches.
• Propose layout optimisation, phased improvement plans, or full redevelopment options while minimising operational disruption.
• Provide indicative scope and technical input for budget estimation.

4. Coordination & Integration

• Collaborate with Medical Planners, MEP Engineers, Biomedical Engineers, and the wider project team to deliver integrated, multi-disciplinary outputs.
• Contribute architectural input to master planning, space programming, and future capacity planning.

5. Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare detailed assessment reports including condition summaries, compliance checklists, risk matrices, annotated drawings, and photographic evidence.
• Produce clear sketches, block plans, flow diagrams, and visual aids illustrating existing issues and proposed solutions.
• Maintain comprehensive field notes, measurement records, and photographic logs.
• Submit progress updates to the back-office team at least every 48 hours during site missions.
• Liaise with hospital management, maintenance teams, and local authorities to verify data and compliance.

On-site / Off-site Status: Primarily on-site with extensive international travel required.

Why This Is a Great Opportunity for You

• Immediate global impact: Assess and upgrade real hospitals in challenging environments your recommendations will directly improve patient care and save lives.
• Fast-track career growth: Work on high-visibility international projects with top-tier multidisciplinary teams, gaining experience that most professionals never see in a lifetime.
• Variety & purpose: No two missions are the same; combine technical excellence with meaningful humanitarian outcomes.