Director of Architectural and Building Engineering

About the role

The Director will lead the Architectural and Building Engineering Department (ABED) within Kiribati's Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of about 80 professionals. This senior position provides strategic, technical and operational leadership for public building assets, standards and climate‑resilient infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for departmental performance, workforce development, financial planning and institutional reform.
• Oversee implementation of the Kiribati Building Act and Building Code, including inspections, technical assessments, regulatory compliance and quality assurance.
• Identify priority infrastructure investments, develop funding proposals and strengthen strategic partnerships for climate‑resilient projects.
• Lead development and implementation of comprehensive asset management systems covering condition assessments, maintenance planning and lifecycle management.
• Drive institutional reforms, strengthen departmental policies and support the growth of the local construction industry through technical guidance and mentoring.

Required profile

• University qualification in architecture, engineering, construction, project management, asset management or related field.
• At least 10 years of senior experience in infrastructure, construction, engineering or asset management.
• Proven experience leading large multidisciplinary teams and strengthening institutional capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to engage senior government officials, development partners and industry stakeholders.
• Experience working in Pacific or remote environments is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Building regulations and code compliance
• Asset management and lifecycle planning
• Procurement and contract administration
• Financial oversight and budgeting
• Regulatory compliance and quality assurance
• Architectural design and building engineering
• Cost planning and project delivery