Bridge Program Fellow

Location: Bolivia or Eswatini | Start Date: Flexible | Benefits: $700/month

​Build bridges. Build leaders.

The Engineers in Action Bridge Program is hiring a Fellow (i.e. field intern). EIA seeks to alleviate rural poverty by leveraging the resources of our global partners to engage under-served communities and their governments to implement life-changing WASH projects and bridges needed to access basic services and infrastructure, simultaneously providing solutions to rural poverty and building local capacity to maintain those solutions for generations to come. The volunteers who help build our projects become the leaders our world needs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 2006 in our Bridge Program, thousands of volunteers from 40+ universities and companies across the globe have designed and built 110+ footbridges alongside rural communities in 12 countries, effectively connecting over 150,000 previously isolated people to essential resources. We’re just getting started. Join us, and become part of the best bridge building network in the world. 

Applicants will participate in a 6-12 month placement as a “Fellow”. The ideal candidate is a professional with international travel experience and a passion for international development.

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  1. RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. Identify new potential bridge sites 

    2. Assist in project site preparation prior to construction

    3. Maintain tool and material inventory, purchase new items if needed

    4. Maintain project site list and map up-to-date

    5. Support the local staff in social and technical surveys of bridge sites

    6. Perform technical tasks such as calculations and design

    7. Answer student project-related questions and review project reports for accuracy

    8. Maintain regular communication with EIA staff and students 

    9. Spread awareness of the Bridge Program within Bolivia or Eswatini

    10. Coordinate with community members and other stakeholders regarding project preparation and logistics during construction 

    11. Take part in the quality control process during bridge construction

    12. Ensure that EIA safety rules are respected

    13. Carry out financial tracking and reporting

    14. Review and create documents for the development of the Bridge Program

    15. Contribute to our Social Media

    16. Other general tasks as requested

  2. QUALIFICATIONS

    1. Passion for the EIA Bridge Program’s mission and international non-profit work

    2. Experience and/or knowledge of surveying basics (Auto Level and Total Station)

    3. Experience in international or community development

    4. Exceptional, professional, and detail-oriented organizational skills with excellent time management and communication skills.

    5. A positive, optimistic, and can-do attitude with the ability to work with or without direction and or direct supervision.

    6. Creative, energetic, and self-motivated, with a proven track record of taking initiative and problem solving

    7. Comfortable with our perpetual drive for improvement

    8. Fluent written and spoken Spanish or siSwati (conversational or better English preferred)

    9. Proficiency driving a manual transmission vehicle preferred

    10. Candidates with a bachelors in Civil Engineering or International Development preferred

    11. Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner to external partners

    12. Passion for integrating experiential learning pedagogy into traditional engineering curricula.

    13. Professional experience in volunteer management, student empowerment, engineering design, construction management and/or program management, with strong preference for international development experience.

    14. Preference for applicants who have gone through the EIA Bridge Program

  3. LOCATION

This position requires a minimum six-month commitment in Bolivia or Eswatini. If the first six month assignment is excellent, an additional six month assignment may be offered.

  1. SALARY

Fellows receive a $700/month living stipend. This is enough to live comfortably in the cities where our field offices are based, including pocket change for traveling/exploring/etc. All in-country work expenses (e.g. gas, purchases made on behalf of the organization, etc.) are reimbursed. There may be flexibility to increase compensation for this position depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Please don’t hesitate to inquire about that possibility if needed.