Policy Advocacy Manager

Organizational Overview

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. Habitat for Humanity has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and 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.

Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia (HFHE) is a branch of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). HEHE is currently operating under Africa Habitat for Humanity International. Since it started operation in 1993, Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia has supported thousands of families and individuals.  Initially focused on mortgage houses for families affected by poverty and other vulnerabilities, the organization has expanded its efforts to incorporate vulnerable group housing, urban slum upgrading, urban resilience building, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and Disaster Risk Reduction Response (DR3)-WASH Resilience Building.

Position:  Policy Advocacy Manager

Reporting to the National Director (ND& HFHE AU), the Policy and Advocacy Manager is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) .The Policy and Advocacy Manager shall build a new impact policy and Advocacy team to enable long term policy development and horizon scanning. He/she shall balance with knowledgeable and robust short-term responsiveness. Providing broad and timely policy and Advocacy development and advice to the ND and office of the HFHE. Through supporting the development of the team to be integral to the organization, the role will make a significant contribution to the formulation, development, promotion, and implementation of a range of policies, advocacy and strategies, projects and initiatives within specified policy areas in an integrated policy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Briefly state the duties:-

Strategic Policy management

• Support the ND and Executive Support in driving influential policy formulation, evaluation and project initiation.
• Lead regular policy horizon scanning and advice to business areas and office of the mayor as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain effective cross-organizational policy development and practice.
• To provide policy research, information, advice and support on issues which support the
• Implementation of the organization’s priorities.
•  Ensure that the G/NG has been properly completed from the onset of pre-positioning.
• Develop annual fund-raising plans and implement.
•  Research and draft clear, well-targeted and influential reports, briefings, circulars, speeches, articles, presentation, press information and other publications as required on key issues as required, including on emerging significant issues within the region.
• Identify and create the means to liaise with Government to further these priorities and raise the profile of the Combined Authority area.
• Generate opportunities for the Executive Team and ND to promote the Combined Authority and the area through targeted regional events and with local partners.
• constituent councils Effective line management of policy advisers and interns
• To represent the organization at external meetings on specified policy areas including government departments, INGOS , and member authorities, and other key stakeholders; developing and sustaining positive relationships with these stakeholders, opinion formers and key contacts in order to advance the regions policies and positions.

Advocacy

• Develop and update HFHE’s advocacy strategy, budget, and implementation plan.
• Provide overall leadership, vision, strategic direction, and management of advocacy and ensure that advocacy is an integral part of HFHE’s Theory of Change and strategic planning.
• Position HFHE as the leading organization for low-income shelter issues in Ethiopia, with human rights at the core of the advocacy work.
• Ensure advocacy coherence with global HFHI level and reinforce strong and effective synergies between programme and advocacy to maximize HFHE impact, especially ensuring evidence and best practice inform advocacy.
• Identify, develop, and oversee operational and analytical research, coordinate the publication and dissemination of results and ensure that research informs advocacy.
• Lead on the development of relevant and realistic advocacy and related communications plans and coordinate their effective implementation.
• Coordinate the production of high-quality policy briefing papers, statements, external communications products, and case studies to influence target audiences.
• Oversee the development, funding, and execution of Advocacy programme & strategies.
• Participate and be involved in Human Settlement, urban development policy processes.
• Engage at high levels of government (national, provincial, and local) and with other sector stakeholders on HFHE advocacy issues.
• Collaborate with other like-minded civil society organisations to advocate for policy positions.
• Make presentations and advocate for HFHE in parliamentary committees and other public platforms.
• Write and publish opinion pieces on HFHE Advocacy positions.
• Ensure our work is accountable to communities and other stakeholders through the establishment and management of effective accountability mechanisms and actively participate in the preparation of the National Office plans and budgets to ensure plans conform to the organization’s strategic direction.

Success Criteria:  Indicate the metrics or other standards that will be used to measure success in this role.

• Policy formulated.
• Project initiation
• Report produced.
• Events organized.
• Advocacy strategy initiated.
• Strategic direction set.
• Evidence generated.
• Policy brief
• Research conducted.
• Policy developed.
• Advocacy program engaged 

Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work.  Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Active Supporter of HFHI Values:

• Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves.
• Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. 

• Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.

Job Requirement

Education, Qualifications, and Experience: (briefly describe the minimum education and experience required

• Master’s degree in policy study, development study, social development, Law At least seven years’ proven track record of fundraising, partnership and experience in a non-profit organization or international organizations.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in an NGO environment, including experience directing and implementing Policy and Advocacy.

Skill:

• Experience in advocacy and policy work.
• High-level negotiation, facilitation as well as interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Experience and proven skills in managing people, budgets, and other resources – preferably in a non-profit organization, but not essential.
• Capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships.
• Effective communication – both verbal and written
• Public speaking
• Experience in successfully establishing and managing collaborative relationships and partnerships with stakeholders such as government, NGOs, business.
• Demonstrated knowledge of influencing work, housing, development theory, and practice.
• Good knowledge of advocacy and influencing approaches.
• Programmed management experience, including demonstrated experience in f
• Excellent ability to analyses situations with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Good communication skills in English – written and verbal – and able to communicate effectively across diverse groups, at different levels, and in different cultural settings.

How To Apply

Interested applicants are invited to send their non–non-returnable application by quoting the position in the subject matter including an updated CV and application and contact details of three work-related referees, (including HR and Immediate supervisor) you can submit your application through hfheapplication@habitatethiopia.org. The closing date for submitting applications is within 10 days of this announcement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further screening.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.