Policy and Advocacy Advisor 71 views1 applications

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the National Director, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor will support the delivery and improvement of the advocacy strategy on reducing the housing deficit, in line with the vision, mission and objectives of HFHK. The Advisor will support the implementation and shaping of advocacy across strategic priorities of the organization.

• Investment in Affordable Housing for low-income groups
• Adequate supply of Basic Services for all
• Securing Land Tenure for the vulnerable groups
• Promoting habitable housing standards

In readying for our next impact, HFH Kenya is building more and better homes, transforming housing systems and inspiring action for housing. In this context, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor will contribute to policy changes that advance access to quality adequate housing. S/he will represent the organisation at the national conference as a way to position the organization work through networking and collaboration. This Job Holder also ensures quality control and compliance with advocacy requirements. This Advisor 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 on Evidence That Increases Our Influence on Adequate Housing

• Analyze policies, strategies, regulations and institutions on adequate and affordable housing and recommend actions to promote adequate and affordable housing
• Analyze 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 the creation of policy on HHFK’s reactive advocacy engagement as well as corpus of basic statements and opinions on key issues

Advocacy Actions That Inspire Decisions on Adequate Housing

• 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 maximize 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 Strategy
• 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 conceptualizing new campaigns initiatives
• Ensure advocacy coherence with global the level and reinforce strong and effective synergies between programmes and advocacy to maximize 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 That Accelerate Locally Led Priorities on Adequate Housing

• 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 organizations on specific policy and advocacy initiatives
• Contribute to further developing the organization’s stakeholder engagement approach, including curation of management tools
• Position HFHK as the leading organization 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 basi

Publications on Policy and Systems That Impact on Adequate Housing

• Work with other subject matter experts to coordinate external messaging on policy and advocacy to ensure consistency in HFHK’s communications and to maximize 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 teams 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

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, law, international development, communications or other related courses.
• Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• Additional education or certifications related to Policy and Advocacy

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• 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

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES/INDICATORS

• Clear policy roadmap and advocacy strategies on the influence we are seeking
• Evidence and best practice informing advocacy positions
• HFHK’s impact maximized through influence on adequate and affordable housing
• Strong relationships with stakeholders at national and grassroot level
• HFHK positioned as the leading organisation on social housing
• Number of people potentially affected by a policy and systems change

OTHER INFORMATION

• Willing to uphold Christian principles of HFH Kenya
• Committed to HFHI principles.
• Ability to work long and odd hours, including weekends
• Confidentiality
• Honesty
• High levels of integrity

Active support 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

Safeguarding: HFH requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work