Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is currently recruiting for a Director of Housing and Human Settlements to be based at our regional office in Bratislava, Slovakia or our regional office in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Director of Housing and Human Settlements oversees a talented team of technical subject matter experts who focus on housing policy and advocacy, water/sanitation/hygiene, disaster risk reduction and response, and housing construction technologies. The director drives Habitat’s housing and human settlements strategy in the region from an integrated services perspective, provides technical and strategic support to Habitat for Humanity organizations and partners in the region and also acts as a public spokesperson for Habitat in this area. As our ideal candidate, you will bring a technical background in urban planning and can easily navigate between being a strategic advisor and a technical implementer.
You’re a proven leader who likely has a strong background in NGOs with some exposure to the public and private sectors as well, and you have experience leading and developing solid partnerships with various bi- and multi-lateral institutions.
- Develop and lead Housing and Human Settlement strategic initiatives in EMEA, including (but not limited to) the following areas:
- Construction standards and best practices: ensuring implementation of Housing Quality Standards and construction quality assurance processes for Habitat’s housing solutions, site development and infrastructure interventions.
- Disaster risk reduction and response: developing capacity to effectively mainstream and implement risk reduction initiatives within Habitat national organizations in preparation of disaster; coordinating surge capacity to support disaster response interventions addressing natural hazards, man-made, or complex humanitarian emergencies.
- Urban development: supporting interventions in urban settings (land tenure issues, slum upgrading, infrastructure, governance, etc.) by Habitat national organizations.
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): providing oversight to design and implementation (direct or through partners) of WASH projects by Habitat national organizations.
- Housing support services: supporting market-based initiatives conducive to increase of families served with owner-driven housing interventions, incremental improvements and community-level capacity building.
- Community engagement/protaganism: increasing sustainable impact through effective engagement of local community structures and leadership.
- Define and integrate (with program strategies) the EMEA advocacy / public policy strategies that lead to increased access to housing solutions.
- Lead (identify, develop and implement) strategic partnerships with other organizations in the areas of housing and human settlements in alignment with the strategic plan.
- Ensure alignment and leverage of opportunities for housing and human settlements initiatives across EMEA in coordination with other Area Office departments (e.g. Regional Programs, Housing Finance and Market Development) and Headquarters as an active contribution to global programs.
- In coordination with the resource development department, generate financial resources to support housing support services program throughout EMEA region by contributing content for grants, proposals and reporting; and developing relationships with relevant international donors.
- Represent and act as a spokesperson for HFHI at relevant events related to the housing and human settlements sector.
- Supervise, coach and mentor direct reports by ensuring clarity of job descriptions, performance agreements, key performance indicators and regular reviews.
- Support overall goals and plans of EMEA office as member of the EMEA leadership team.
- 7+ years of experience directing international development and/or housing programs and operational elements within international organizations on a global level, including practical technical experience in a related area such as urban planning, water/sanitation/hygiene, disaster response, engineering, construction technology, or advocacy.
- Experience in management level positions with direct supervisory responsibilities and strong leadership skills.
- 3+ years of experience specifically within the EMEA region.
- Experience providing consultation to various stakeholders on leadership, management and operational matters, as well as influence management skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal, communication, facilitation and negotiation skills.
- Outstanding command of written and oral English.
- Uncompromising commitment to quality, confidentiality.
- Willing and able to travel up to 30%.
- *NGO work experience strongly preferred, with exposure to the private and public sectors.
- Strong preference for an urban planning background.
- Experience developing partnerships with institutions such as World Bank, ECHO, EU, Area Development Bank, African Development Bank, UNHABITAT, European Investment Bank, etc.
- Fluency in another of the languages spoken in EMEA.
The position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package in the nonprofit organization market.