Habitat for Humanity Zambia is a not for profit Christian organization which is a part of Habitat for Humanity International. It was founded in 1984 with its existence in five provinces in Zambia. Its mission is to work with individuals, groups, churches and organizations to provide simple but decent housing for the vulnerable in our communities and eliminate poverty housing. Habitat believes in creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
JOB TITLE: ADVOCACY AND POLICY SPECIALIST
DEPARTMENT: RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
JOB LOCATION: LUSAKA
REPORTS TO: RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
POSITION GRADE: 5
POSITION SUMMARY
- Ensure continued acquisition and utilisation of knowledge related to housing, poverty and social policy
- Conduct and coordinate research activities on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Zambia for advocacy work
- Develop different documents to record and present such knowledge
- Prepare documents for media work
- Grant canvassing and grant writing
- Participate in Habitat For Humanity Zambia learning groups and other forms of collaboration
- Should have a strong understanding on general poverty, housing and social policy knowledge, regular updates through networking and consulting relevant literature and updates from the environment and Habitat For Humanity Zambia programs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Focus Area
Policy on poverty housing, social and housing knowledge
- Drive Habitat For Humanity Zambia (HFHZ) knowledge and provide updates regularly through consulting relevant literature, networks on HFHZ Advocacy issues
- Collaborate with National Director (ND) and Resource Development and Communications Manager (RDCM) to determine areas for investigation
- Ensure that HFHZ generated knowledge is appropriately packaged, disseminated and covered in communication activities for HFHZ
Media tracking
- Monitoring of new developments through media and networks, regular analysis of trends on policy issues.
Project specific research - Lead the planning of internal and outsourced research activities, based on advocacy strategy and policy project needs;
- Executes research tasks as determined in collaboration with RDCM, compiles summaries and related research documents;
- Identifies appropriate service providers for outsourced research, run RFP processes, prepares contracts and supervises delivery
Dissemination of knowledge
- Prepare documents for dissemination, presents HFHZ knowledge products, circulates HFHZ knowledge products in own networks, forums, channels knowledge from own networks into HFHZ advocacy knowledge work
- Supports manager in dissemination of advocacy work
- Build capacity of HFHZ communities and conduct trainings
Forum for intra- and cross sectoral learning
- Contribute to planning and supports implementation of knowledge-hub strategy, utilizes own professional network for success of same
Training and Capacity building
- Prepare documents, send updates to staff, line ministries and presents HFHZ knowledge products internally on advocacy issues
- Carries out trainings in communities
Influence/Networking
- Politicians, NGO representatives, experts, local officials, government officials
Support high-level stake holders by contributing to power- and access mapping, provides input for preparation of meetings, participates as necessary
Coalition building
- Network with NGO partners, supports Resource Development and Communications Manager in coalition building
- In support of the manager coordinate coalition building activities
Lobbying
- Support RDCM in power and access mapping (general housing and campaign-specific planning), mobilize own network for getting opportunities for introductions with decision makers, provide input for preparation of meetings, participate as necessary
- Represent HFHZ in meetings in own network
- Builds and maintains relationships with key stake holders in own networks
Media
- Support creation of proactive and reactive advocacy related communication, substitute RDCM in their communications role as necessary
- Represent HFHZ vis-รก-vis media and at conferences, workshops
Reactive advocacy (media and with stakeholders)
- Monitor trends and changes in housing- and social policy, proposals of different stakeholders and ensure appropriate and timely HFHZ reactions; contribute to creation of policy on HFHZ reactive advocacy engagement as well as corpus of basic statements and opinions on key issues
Policy
- Issue mapping
- Contribute to creation and regular review of advocacy strategy and annual advocacy agenda on the basis of continuous monitoring of poverty housing related issues, trends and changes, in consultation with various stakeholders; run basic research on key issues and present results to prepare strategic decisions about future directions of HFHZ advocacy program
Issue selection
- Contribute to creation and regular review of issue selection criteria; prepare detailed descriptions of key issues from time to time to support RDCM, ND and the Board in determining future direction of HFHZ advocacy program
Program design
- Contribute to development of proactive advocacy campaigns (research and knowledge generation and dissemination; development of advocacy proposal; networking and lobbying plan); explore funding options and contribute to creation of grant proposals as necessary
- Formulating alternative policy solutions
- Drive research activities to explore different policy options in proactive advocacy campaigns; develop and formulate alternatives in a way that enables presentation to different stakeholders and HFHZ decision makers
Formulating proposals
- Contribute to formulation of proactive policy proposals, coordinate generation of input by contracted experts as necessary
- Formulating and developing demonstration projects and implementation
- Contribute to determining and developing advocacy demonstration projects and support project coordinators throughout the implementation
Funding
- Determining funding needs and projects for grant funding
- Contribute to shaping of advocacy strategy, issue selection and decisions on proactive advocacy campaigns
- Grant canvassing – either through advocacy team, or through grant writer supported by advocacy team
- Monitor funding opportunities, regularly updating RDCM about calls and other opportunities
Grant writing
- Coordinate the process of proposal creation and be in charge for proposal writing/ensuring proposals are written
- Grant administration (supporting assistant to ensure grant administration is safe and smooth)
- Work with RDCM to ensure smooth and safe grant administration
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
- Any other duties assigned by supervisor
Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):
- University degree (Master’s degree will be an added advantage) in Social Sciences, Land and Housing Management, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance, public relations, media, communication, or other relevant disciplines.
- Five years of relevant and progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and International levels in programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, in a related field.
- Demonstrated field work experience.
- Background/familiarity with OVC programming, Water, Land and Housing.
- Demonstrated professional commitment to human and community development
- English language fluency; and,
- A Clean driving Licence
- Work experience in an NGO environment will be an added advantage
Skills (Special Training or Competence):
- Result oriented
- Interpersonal skills
- Planning and Organising
- Good communication skills ( Both oral and written)
- High degree of integrity and maturity
- Result orientated and a self-starter
- Innovative
- God fearing and mature
- Well organized with attention to detail;
- Creative problem-solver, resourceful, solution-oriented;
- Strong communication and writing skills;
- A person of high integrity and good judgment;
- Demonstrated ability to work with poise under tight timeframes;
- Flexible, patient and compassionate;
- Skilled at working in teams and independently;
- Sense of humour and positive attitude.
Key Behaviours:
- Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity
- Team working
- Committed and responsible
- Willing to work out of contractual hours during times of need for that.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
- Habitat staff
External
- Partners
- Service Providers
- Government Departments
Travel rate:
The job holder will be required to travel in-country up to 15% of the time.
Selection Process:
Applicants will initially be evaluated based on documentation submitted with applications. Competitively ranked applicants may be tested and interviewed. Applicants must submit all requested documentations for them to be considered.
Application Mode:
Send an application letter, updated CV, copies of relevant degrees and certificates and names of three references addressing your application to the National Director. Email your applications to hfhzjobs@gmail.com or Habitat_HR@habitatzam.org.zm
Closing Date:
The closing date for applications is Friday, 20th May, 2016. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
“HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ZAMBIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”.
