Director - International Shelter Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is currently seeking a talented individual for the role of International Shelter Initiatives Director. This highly collaborative and globally-focused position provides a high-level of technical expertise in the design and implementation of shelter and technology programs, initiatives and strategies.

She/he will serve as the principal HFHI donor relationship lead with technical and professional organizations and funders working in this area, including USAID, InterAmerican Development Bank, UN-Habitat, and more. This position will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in researching, developing, and supporting various shelter design and technology approaches in diverse international settings and will be called on to support other HFHI divisions including Government Relations and Advocacy, Resource Development and Communications. She/he will promote learning and innovation through the appropriate Communities of Practice networks and Content Leadership Teams within HFHI and represent HFHI to external partner and collaborator networks.

This position will be based at our office in Washington DC.

Key Responsibilities:

- Donor engagement, cultivation, proposal development and project execution for grants provided to HFHI by technical funders from the private and public sectors.
- Work closely with outside SMEs, along with HFHI's Senior Director for Design and Implementation, the Vice President of Global Programs and other HFHI colleagues to investigate, identify and evaluate promising practices for potential integration into HFHI and its local affiliates outside the US, with particular focus on providing technical support to HFHI's Disaster Response, Water/Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH), energy efficiency, and other basic services programs.
- Work closely with and supports HFHI's Government Relations and Advocacy team as an SME supporting their policy and advocacy efforts.
- Interact with HFHI's area offices, including US, to support the development of strategies to monitor/measure and evaluate proposed programs, processes and methodologies.
- Work collaboratively with other HFHI Programs functions and departments including Disaster Response, International Housing Programs, Housing Finance and Market Development, MEAL standards, Volunteer Mobilization and Learning and Organizational Development to develop strategies that ensure all elements of HFHI international shelter related programs are equipped and effectively trained to receive pilot level programs and that programs are developed and measured consistent with MEAL standards at all phases.
- Create critical and accurate program documentation, and guide the process of communicating program successes and final product to all internal and external stakeholders.
- Participate in HFHI and external networks as appropriate to identify emerging promising practices relating to construction, technology, land acquisition and related subjects, determining their potential for introduction into Habitat operations globally.

Key Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree required, with strong preference for degree in architecture, urban planning, engineering or construction technology.
- 6-10 years or more progressively responsible experience in the design, application, management and evaluation of new and innovative construction techniques, residential water/sanitation programs, and/or land tenure programs designed to improve housing conditions for the poor in developing country contexts.
- Demonstrated understanding of local challenges of urban/ slum upgrading.
-Ability to effectively integrate broader land, housing and human settlement requirements with participatory technical solutions.
- Strong verbal and written communications skills and comfortable operating in multi-national environments and cultures.

Preferred:

- Master's degree.
- Proficiency in Spanish.
- Experience with other NGOs and civil society organizations working to improve housing conditions in developing contexts.
- Ideal candidate will have worked in multiple countries and will understand housing issues faced by the poor in multiple areas of the world.