Policy and Advocacy Manager at Habitat for Humanity International

JOB PURPOSE

• Reporting to the Programs Director, the Policy and Advocacy Manager will support the development and delivery of an ambitious advocacy strategy in line with the vision, mission and objectives of HFHK. The Manager will support the implementation and shaping of advocacy across strategic priorities of the organization. S/he will represent the organisation in national conference as a way to position the organisation work through networking and collaboration. This Job Holder also ensures quality control and compliance with advocacy requirements. This manager is a key contributor to networking, positioning and partnership building for HFHK by attending national events, conferences, and coalitions.
• S/he also contributes to national strategy development and implementation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
POLICY ANALYSIS

• Analyse policies, strategies, regulations and institutions on adequate and affordable housing and recommend actions to promote adequate and affordable housing
• Analyse key international political and policy trends in areas related to HFHK’s work, with a specific focus on access to adequate and affordable housing
• Support with policy analysis at country level. Offer guidance; help locate expert advice (internal or external); assist in the collection of best practices and the promotion of successes.
• Leads the planning of research activities, based policy needs and executes research tasks as determined in collaboration with other subject matter experts
• Ensure policy compliance of national advocacy programs, ensure quality management of national advocacy programs, and validate GMT reports.
• Liaise and coordinate with other subject matter experts in the organization and within the Habitat network to ensure policy and advocacy are mainstreamed across Habitat programs.
• Supports subject matters experts and project leads in power and access mapping (general housing and campaign-specific planning), mobilizes own network for getting opportunities for introductions with decision makers and provides input for preparation of meetings, participates as necessary
• Monitors trends and changes in housing policy and proposals of different stakeholders to ensure appropriate and timely reactions; contributes to creation of policy on HHFK’s reactive advocacy engagement as well as corpus of basic statements and opinions on key issues

ADVOCACY ACTIONS

• Deliver clear advocacy strategies to influence decision-makers, the media, wider civil society and policy makers
• Work with HFHK’s advocacy Teams to identify key advocacy opportunities, co-ordinate activities and to maximise positive impact.
• Provide overall leadership, vision, strategic direction and management of advocacy and ensure that advocacy is an integral part of HFHK’s Theory of Change and Business Plan
• Contributes to development of proactive advocacy campaigns (research and knowledge generation and dissemination; development of advocacy proposal; networking and lobbying plan); explores funding options and contributes to creation of grant proposals as necessary
• Develop and update HFHK’s advocacy strategy, budget and implementation plan
• Contribute to HFHKs advocacy initiatives and campaigns outside in Kenya.
• Lead efforts related to capacity building of field advocacy staff and local partners as well as increased awareness and knowledge of other staff on advocacy issues
• Review and contribute to major grant proposals to ensure funding for advocacy initiatives
• Provide strategic guidance and advice to the advocacy team, by conceptualising new campaigns initiatives
• Ensure advocacy coherence with global the level and reinforce strong and effective synergies between programmes and advocacy to maximise HFHK’s impact, especially ensuring evidence and best practice inform advocacy
• Lead on the development of relevant and realistic advocacy and related communications plans and coordinate their effective implementation

COLLABORATIONS

• Convene and facilitate stakeholder meetings and support key events, with a particular focus on engaging and collaborating with local partners
• Support strategic relationships among relevant networks, decision makers, experts, allies, partners, and other stakeholders
• Lead in the development of relationships and partnerships and represent the organization in key networks, ensuring that participation reflects the perspective of our field experience and key policy priorities
• Engage at high levels of government (national, county and local) and with other sector stakeholders on HFHK advocacy issues
• Make presentations and advocate for HFHK in parliamentary committees and other public platforms
• Build strong relationships with different organizations and civil society organisations on specific policy and advocacy initiatives
• Contribute to further developing the organisation’s stakeholder engagement approach, including curation of management tools
• Position HFHK as the leading organisation on social housing, aiming to achieve Sustainable
• Development Goals at the core of the advocacy work
• Develop and sustain strategic advocacy partnerships at the national level and maintain a database of advocacy experts contacts and possible alliances.
• Represent the HFHK at national level conferences and workshops as a speaker and expert.
• Contribute to design, planning and partnership coordination of Habitat-led events, workshops, and conferences.
• Contribute to advocacy and fund-raising efforts towards the Kenya
• Contribute to organizational communications regarding advocacy on a regular basis

PUBLICATIONS

• Work with other subject matter experts to coordinate external messaging on policy and advocacy to ensure consistency in HFHK’s communications and to maximise reach and impact
• Work with communications team to develop and contribute to press releases, media statements and reactive quotes, signing off content as appropriate
• Prepare information resources and briefing material on key policy issues e.g., reports and briefings for decision-makers, material for World Vision Ireland’s website, briefing documents for SMT
• Identify, develop and oversee operational and analytical research
• Work collaboratively with different team to prepare HFHK’s knowledge products on advocacy and present, circulate or disseminate the same across various networks and channels
• Coordinate the publication and dissemination of results and ensure that research informs advocacy
• Write and publish opinion pieces on HFHK Advocacy position and develop knowledge materials for influencing.
• Coordinate the production of high-quality policy briefing papers, statements, external communications products and case studies to influence target audiences
• Develop briefing notes and position papers as requested for both internal and external use on key policy issues, and coordinate research initiatives as required
• Ensures HFHK generated knowledge is appropriately packaged, disseminated and covered in communication activities
• Work with the communication team to develop evidence-based documents for media work
• Drives knowledge and regularly updates on advocacy issues through consulting relevant literature and networks

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES / INDICATORS

• Clear policy roadmap and advocacy strategies
• Evidence and best practice informing advocacy
• HFHK’s impact maximised through influence
• String relationships with stakeholders
• HFHK positioned as the leading organisation on social housing

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of Bachelors Degree in Public Policy, law, international development, communications or other related courses
• Masters degree is highly preferred
• Additional education or certifications related to Policy and Advocacy

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Knowledge of Kenya’s policy-making and decision-making processes
• Skilled and strategic advocate and a confident communicator who can engage persuasively with a variety of audiences
• A strong networker and collaborator, ideally with a personal profile in the area
• Good understanding of campaigning, use of narratives and communications
• Ability to get guidance and work with others and deliver results through teams
• Working knowledge of national and international government structures and multi-lateral institutions.
• Strategic, analytical and creative thinking skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to working in remote teams and networking skills
• Ability to speak clearly, concisely and cogently

EXPERIENCE

• 8 years of related experience working in policy, advocacy and/or research in a multicultural environment; previous experience in policy analysis and development is essential.
• Experience in advocacy development programs with non-profit organizations in Kenya
• Excellent political insight and judgement with good understanding of the Kenya parliamentary
• processes and the opportunities these present for influencing
• Experience of design and execution of advocacy strategies and projects at National and County Levels