Consultant to develop an Advocacy and AU engagement strategy

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org/EMEA

Habitat for Humanity will focus its efforts around the most important program areas to address barriers leading to the housing deficits: Habitability, basic services, tenure security, and affordability. Further, Habitat for Humanity global programming will also be systemic in nature – demonstrating courage and commitment to tackle systemic inequities at the root of housing crises. Linked to this, Habitat for Humanity is currently keen in using Build and Influence effort to promote policies and support market approaches that increase equitable access to affordable housing, and to recognize and reduce barriers that prevent the vulnerable communities from having a decent place to live.

Scope of the Consultancy

Create the advocacy strategy based on the inputs for the HFH Africa Regional strategy and the outcomes from the interviews with the stakeholders.

1. Develop workable guidelines to help Operationalize the advocacy plan that will include Africa Union Engagement strategy.
2. Develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy, detailing distinct objectives, target activities, allies, deliverables, and indicators, as well as a three-year implementation plan and cost estimate for such effort.
3. Conduct a review, consisting of desk top interviews and individual in-depth interviews, of existing regional advocacy networks or platforms, exploring their mandate, structure, and functioning within the HFHI network, including National Organizations and partners, and make recommendations for an advocacy platform.
4. Conduct rigorous review of experiences from similar engagement strategies if available from other international INGOs in the Africa region, by including analysis of power, the governance and decision-making architecture of the AU including other regional bodies such as ECOWAS, AFDB,ECA, EAC, SADC etc (key aspects of power- visible, hidden, and invisible)
5. Collaborate with important regional stakeholders to identify champions / supporters from various constituencies (political leaders, civil society, researchers, social media influencers, and media) who can be mobilized to support Access to good and affordable housing in the region.
6. Provide a draft of the advocacy strategy at the validation meeting (to be held virtually or face to face)
7. Finalize the advocacy strategy which will be presented to the relevant policy makers, regional CSOs, including relevant AU, ECA, AFDB departments etc either virtually or physically.

Duration of the assignment

This contract will be executed for three months translating to four months beginning on 15th August ,2024, and ending on 15th November 2024 calendar days.

1. Inception report outlining methodology and work plan within three days of contract signing. (10 days)
2. Data collection/Research (20 days)
3. Report and presentation on the analysis of current regional Housing and Human Settlement advocacy networks or platforms, as well as proposals for the operation of the Platform for Regional Advocacy and Africa union engagements (10 days)
4. Develop Advocacy Strategy (11 days)
5. Validate Advocacy Strategy (10 days)
6. Proposed Regional Advocacy Strategy that has implementation plan (10-days)
7. Develop key advocacy messages (10days)
8. Presentations to relevant stakeholders within Habitat for Humanity International entities (3-day).

Consultant Responsibility

Development of Advocacy Strategy:

• Draft a comprehensive advocacy strategy aligned with the objectives outlined by Habitat for Humanity Africa Area Office.
• Incorporate recommendations regarding the structure and operation of a regional advocacy platform to coordinate joint efforts on access to decent and affordable housing.
• Identify and make recommendations about the selection and engagement of relevant policymakers and rights holders at all levels, including civil society organizations (CSOs) from diverse sectors.

.Operational Guidelines:

• Develop workable guidelines to operationalize the advocacy plan, including an Africa Union Engagement strategy.

Research and Analysis:

• Conduct research, including desktop interviews and individual in-depth interviews, to review existing regional advocacy networks or platforms.
• Analyze the mandate, structure, and functioning of these networks within the HFHI network and make recommendations for an effective advocacy platform.

Strategy Development:

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy with distinct objectives, target activities, allies, deliverables, and indicators.
• Create a three-year implementation plan and cost estimate for the advocacy efforts.

Engagement with Stakeholders:

• Collaborate with regional stakeholders to identify champions/supporters from various constituencies (political leaders, civil society, researchers, social media influencers, and media) who can mobilize support for access to good and affordable housing.

Validation and Finalization:

• Present draft advocacy strategy at a validation meeting, incorporating feedback received.
• Finalize the advocacy strategy and present it to relevant policymakers, regional CSOs, and entities such as the Africa Union, Economic Commission for Africa, and Africa Development Bank.

Key deliverables/Output and deadline

During the duration of this consultancy, the following deliverables are expected.

1. Inception report outlining the tasks, methodology of execution, a work plan guiding the process, and a schedule for stakeholder engagement.
2. Submission of draft 2 advocacy strategy
3. PPT on draft 1 of Advocacy strategy to be presented to Habitat for Humanity entities.
4. Report/ Data on potential champions for the Africa region, with recommendations on their roles, operations, and involvement.
5. A final clean copy of the advocacy strategy (e-copy and hard copy) in English, including 3-year implementation plan.

Payment of fees (Daily/ Monthly/ Phased)

The total duration of the Consultancy is 88 working days over the course of 4 months. The amount will be subject to a 5 percent withholding tax in accordance with the Kenyan government's TAX regulations.

For more and detail information visit

https://reliefweb.int/job/4080423/consultant-develop-advocacy-and-au-engagement-strategy

• A graduate degree in the social sciences, politics, or Urban development and housing, land administration, and tenure security
• Be familiar with regional processes and policy frameworks that address climate resilience, tenure security, housing and water and sanitation processes.
• Minimum of seven years of experience working on land, shelter, and human settlements in Africa, including the development of advocacy strategies.
• Prior experience in strategic planning, which includes the development of advocacy strategies.
• Knowledge of key actors and stakeholders involved in land administration, housing, and human settlement in Africa.

Evaluation Process

1. Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in social sciences, politics, urban development, housing, land administration, or tenure security. Familiarity with regional processes and policy frameworks related to climate resilience, tenure security, housing, and water and sanitation.

2. Experience:

• Minimum of seven years of experience working on land, shelter, and human settlements in Africa, including advocacy strategy development.
• Prior experience in strategic planning and advocacy strategy development.

3. Knowledge:

• Understanding and experience in developing regional advocacy strategy of key actors and stakeholders involved in land administration, housing, and human settlement in Africa.

4. Application Materials:

• Submission of a motivation letter, technical proposal outlining approach to the review of existing housing and human settlement networks, and the development of the advocacy strategy. Financial proposal detailing consultancy fees.

How To Apply

If you are interested in this consultancy with the HFHI Africa Area Office and contributing to the eradication of poverty housing, you meet the requirements. Send your motivation letter, and financial proposal,

 technical proposal outlining approach to a) The approach to the review of existing housing and Human Settlement networks, and b) the development of the advocacy strategy in English, to Human Resources at

 afrnairobiinfo@habitat.org with a copy to GAnanda@habitat.org, The application deadline is on 2nd August 2024