Experience Required

More than 2 years

Position

Architect

Project

Humanitarian Response, Recovery and Resilience (HR3)

No. of vacancies

1 (One)

Date of Announcement

11 September 2026

Duration

One Year

Location: HR3 project field office, initially serving Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with frequent travel to construction sites and potential deployment to Dhading.

Reports to

Project Implementation Lead

Cross-functional Manager

Housing Research & Innovation Manager

Supervises: Site engineers/supervisors, partner technical personnel, consultants, skilled workers or technical volunteers assigned; no permanent direct reports initially unless approved.

Travel / deployment: Extensive (normally 70% or more), including difficult-access construction sites.

About Habitat for Humanity Nepal

Habitat for Humanity Nepal is an international non-governmental organization that is driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Our partnership with communities, governments, private sector including entrepreneurs and financial institutions, youth networks, and academia, allows us to serve low-income families by improving habitability, tenure security, access to basic services and affordability of housing solutions.

Our integrated programming serves to benefit 3 million people over the next three years, through direct and incremental construction, affordable housing finance, affordable construction technologies and services, and evidence-based policy advocacy for housing adequacy as a fundamental right. Responding to the root causes of inequity in the housing ecosystem, Habitat Nepal leads with a systems-strengthening approach, facilitating development of inclusive housing markets, removing key policy barriers and empowering communities through people-centered approaches, for a stronger and more equitable housing ecosystem.

About the Project

Habitat for Humanity Nepal works with communities, governments and partners to advance safe, adequate and resilient shelter and housing. Following the 2026 flash floods, the Humanitarian Response, Recovery and Resilience (HR3) Project supports a pathway from emergency shelter to early recovery and safer, climate- and disaster-resilient housing. Initial implementation will focus on Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with Dhading or other approved affected locations added as needs and funding evolve.

Position Overview

The Architect will be responsible for coordinating and preparing designs and drawings for Transitional Shelter, housing and infrastructure projects, integrating community input through participatory design processes. This role involves researching innovative, eco-friendly, and affordable construction technologies, collaborating with Nepal Government , research institutes, NGOs, private sector entities, and other stakeholders. The Architect will ensure quality assurance through site inspections, compliance with local regulations, and technical support for disaster response. Additionally, they will document project progress, support cross-departmental initiatives, and deliver training programs on sustainable design principles. The Achitect will ensure all construction activities adhere to Habitat Housing Quality Standards and Nepal Government codes and regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Community Engagement and Participatory Design

Coordinate, conceptualize, and prepare community-driven designs and detailed architectural drawings for communal transitional shelters, low-cost housing and settlement plans, including roads, drainage, and other supporting infrastructure in Habitat Nepal’s project sites.

Evaluate local materials for structural safety, treatment, durability, fire/weather performance, supply, cost, skills and environmental impact.

Ensure designs address adequate comfort, local vernacular architecture, privacy, lighting, ventilation, thermal comfort, safe access, accessibility for persons with disabilities, gender and child-protection considerations and links to WASH and site services.

Support shelter damage, habitability, site and settlement assessments with government, community and MEAL colleagues; document hazards, access, tenure, drainage, WASH, protection and environmental constraints.

Streamline technical specifications, drawing preparations, and administrative procedures related to infrastructure in collaboration with other technical staff.

Facilitate participatory design processes in project sites to integrate community input and cultural requirements into final designs engaging community members in consultation meetings to foster ownership and understanding of project goals. Also, collaborate with local artisans and builders to incorporate vernacular building techniques and materials into design solutions where possible.

Conduct basic land surveys of housing sites and prepare master plans for resettlement projects, incorporating feedback from community stakeholders.

Present designs, drawings, and ideas to relevant stakeholders and agencies.

Research and Innovation

Conduct research on local vernacular architecture, suitable climate-friendly construction technologies aligned with Government of Nepal policies.

Identify eco-friendly building materials and construction techniques suitable for local contexts.

Research and integrate thermal comfort, energy efficiency, climate resiliency, and mitigation strategies for housing projects.

Quality Assurance

Conduct periodic site visits and inspections to ensure adherence to design specifications, Habitat for Humanity Housing Quality Standards, and local regulations.

Implement quality control measures to maintain high standards throughout project implementation.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure designs comply with Habitat for Humanity Housing Quality Standards, national building codes, zoning regulations, and other statutory requirements.

Collaborate with technical design partners, and partners’ technical staff to develop and finalize designs and drawings.

Liaise with government, academic institutions, and other organizations.

Coordinate with NGOs in implementation areas and participate in district, municipal, and community level meetings/workshops.

Disaster Response and Recovery

Provide technical assistance for shelter and settlements preparedness, emergency response, and recovery programs.

Integrate multi-hazard risk reduction, climate adaptation, drainage, slope/site safety, repairability and lifecycle affordability into shelter and housing solutions.

Support risk-sensitive settlement planning and advise when relocation, additional specialist study or government decision is required.

Develop standard technical packages that government and Shelter Cluster partners can understand, replicate and scale.

Documentation and Reporting

Prepare construction and maintenance manuals, guidelines, and technical documents.

Document project progress, including design revisions, approvals, and milestones.

With support from MEAL, Communication, and IT teams, manage and archive technical documents.

Coordination and stakeholder engagement

Coordinate technical work with municipal engineers, DUDBC and other relevant government technical authorities, NDRRMA and Nepal Shelter Cluster technical groups.

Engage Habitat Nepal’s Technical team and other approved technical partners through clear briefs, review points and documented decisions.

Work together with HR3 project staff so designs reflect household preferences and protection needs, and with MEAL to define and verify quality and outcome indicators.

Education, Professional Experience, and Skill Sets

Education and Professional Qualification

Bachelor's degree in architecture. A master's degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Strong knowledge of transitional housing design, low-cost housing design and able to apply vernacular architecture into designs.

Knowledge on the Sphere standard and the Core Humanitarian Standard.

Preferred experience in monitoring and supervision.

Results-driven with excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali.

Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural settings and collaborate with regional offices.

Professional Experience

Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in architectural engineering, low-cost housing, post-disaster shelter, reconstruction and related sectors, including significant on-site/field experience with master's degree, or minimum 4 years of relevant experience in architectural engineering, low-cost housing, post-disaster shelter, reconstruction and related sectors, including significant on-site/field experience with master's degree.

Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, at least one 3D rendering software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Experience with non-profit organizations is an advantage.

Experience working on the emergency scenario under intense pressure .

Experience on the design of the earthquake resilient masonry houses in the rural context.

Technical and Functional Skills

Shelter and housing design; structural integrity and construction safety; quantity surveying; quality assurance/quality control; occupational health and safety; resilient construction and environmental safeguards.

High competence with AutoCAD or equivalent drafting tools, SketchUp, Revit and spreadsheets. Practical knowledge of bamboo treatment and connections and/or timber, steel structure, brick masonry, stone masonry and lightweight panel construction; able to recognize limits and seek specialist review.

Strong technical drawing and able to communicate risk to non-engineers.

Preferred / desirable experience

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience working in National or International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs/INGOs) or donor-funded Humanitarian projects.

Hands-on experience with low-rise shelter/housing, local materials and contractor/artisan supervision will be an advantage.

Experience in designing or constructing communal transitional shelters and accessible shelter solutions.

Knowledge of applicable Government of Nepal codes/guidelines, Habitat Housing Quality Standards and Cluster Coordination .

Experience with owner-driven construction, cash-for-shelter technical assistance, slope-risk screening or climate-smart housing. Training or certification in construction safety, DRR, green building, bamboo construction or GIS.

Experience working with SketchUp for 3D modeling and visualization to support construction detailing will be an advantage.

Safeguarding

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, Habitat for Humanity International is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve. We require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding (Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Harassment and Abuse) our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening, police check and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behaviour, including safeguarding and whistleblowing. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Habitat for Humanity Nepal is an equal opportunity organization. Women, persons with disabilities, marginalized and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply.

Application submission deadline is 15 September 2026.

Human Resources Department, Habitat for Humanity Nepal

We strive to keep our recruitment process consistent and fair. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About Company

Habitat for Humanity Nepal is an international non-governmental organization that is driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Our partnership with communities, governments, private sector including entrepreneurs and financial institutions, youth networks, and academia, allows us to serve low-income families by improving habitability, tenure security, access to basic services and affordability of housing solutions.

Our integrated programming serves to benefit 3 million people over the next three years, through direct and incremental construction, affordable housing finance, affordable construction technologies and services, and evidence-based policy advocacy for housing adequacy as a fundamental right. Responding to the root causes of inequity in the housing ecosystem, Habitat Nepal leads with a systems-strengthening approach, facilitating development of inclusive housing markets, removing key policy barriers and empowering communities through people-centered approaches, for a stronger and more equitable housing ecosystem.

About the Project

Habitat for Humanity Nepal works with communities, governments and partners to advance safe, adequate and resilient shelter and housing. Following the 2026 flash floods, the Humanitarian Response, Recovery and Resilience (HR3) Project supports a pathway from emergency shelter to early recovery and safer, climate- and disaster-resilient housing. Initial implementation will focus on Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with Dhading or other approved affected locations added as needs and funding evolve.