The Projects and Maintenance Director provides oversight to new and ongoing construction projects, as well as supervision and management of the maintenance of the hospital facility, housing, grounds, and vehicles. The role is hands-on, requiring skills and knowledge in maintenance, construction, and project management. More importantly, this position requires mentoring and discipling of the onsite Gabonese maintenance leader and team, as well as the hospital’s Gabonese project manager. The overall goal is to come alongside the local leaders as a mentor and resource, guiding and encouraging them to manage these important areas.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of the maintenance leader and team (ten national workers)
• Oversight of necessary maintenance repairs, part-and-tool inventory, and vehicle maintenance
• Hands-on oversight of construction projects by closely working with hospital project manager
• Long-range planning regarding the master construction and infrastructure plan for hospital and station
• Communication with American engineers and technical specialists, as needed

Required Qualifications

• Completion of Alliance Politycourse
• Completion of the World Perspectives Mission Course(minimum of Certificate level) or equivalent
• Hands-on construction, engineering, or project-management background
• Conversational level of French
• Gifted in administration and leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Project-management experience or training
• Third-world maintenance and construction experience
• Previous cross-cultural living experience
• Engineering background

 Biblical Characteristics Desired

• Kingdom-minded
• Biblically grounded
• Spirit-dependent
• Competently skilled
• Self-aware
• Self-disciplined

Timeline for Deployment

Summer/fall 2022. All appointees are required to attend a cross-cultural and language-acquisition program and Pre-Field Orientation prior to deploying.

General Information

The mission station, including both the hospital and housing units (20), is located about 5 km from a town of 5,000 people, where there is a fuel station, a market, and multiple shops.  All expatriate personnel live on the mission station, along with trainee physicians and other hospital administrative and medical staff.

CIA World Factbook – Gabon

Joshua Project – Gabon

Language Expectations

Language is an essential part of ministry. The successful applicant(s) will receive one year of intense language study, followed by ongoing language and cultural acquisition. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.

In Gabon, the official language is French. While speaking French is adequate to work and live in Gabon, it’s also beneficial to learn at least greetings in the most common tribal languages, and this can be done in-country.  Each new team member goes through orientation with an existing team member, and this includes discussions of language and culture.

Health Considerations

Gabon is a relatively hot and very humid country.  Being in good health is important. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension, are acceptable if they are under good control.  Of course, Bongolo Hospital has numerous capable physicians and a well-stocked pharmacy.

Expectations for Spouse

Spousal roles vary, based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities, as well as the needs of the team. It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives, depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc.

In the setting of Bongolo Hospital, there are many jobs that need to be done and many of which we don’t have the staffing to accomplish.  Additionally, many international workers cover certain responsibilities outside their giftedness and training because of necessity.  This is true in the medical arena, as well as in the running of the mission and hospital.  Imagine a small town and what it takes to run the town infrastructure; that is what is needed.  So practically anyone can find a job at Bongolo.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options

From time to time a teacher has been present at Bongolo to help with homeschooling. We are actively pursuing a full-time teacher/homeschooling coordinator for the future needs and desires of our growing team. Boarding school options also can be explored.