Senior Manager ,Housing Market Systems and Financial Inclusion Programs 35 views1 applications

Habitat for Humanity International is looking for “Senior Manager, Housing Market Systems and Financial Inclusion Programs” that serves as the overall lead for Habitat programs implemented at the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region level, with the focus on housing market systems development and financial inclusion. This position will report administratively to the Country Representative in Egypt or Jordan, depending on its location, and functionally to the Hub Director.

1.Introduction and background:

**Habitat for Humanity (HFH)**is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1976 as the world’s leader in addressing the housing challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Currently it operates in more than 60 countries around the world and brings people together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since its founding in 1976, it has helped more than 62 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. HFH works alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone.

HFHI works through a broad network of national Habitat organizations and other strategic partners, such as corporations, financial service providers, individuals, non-governmental organizations, foundations, local governments, as well as the private sector actors. HFHI supports program and project implementation by national HFH organizations and directly implements some projects and programs regionally.

2. Position Description:

Habitat for Humanity International aims to expand and deepen its housing finance initiatives across the MENA region. Contributing to this aim, the position’s primary role is to serve as the overall lead for Habitat programs implemented at the regional level, with the focus on housing market systems development and financial inclusion, with particular emphasis on technology and digital financial services, housing finance, and gender- and climate-responsive financing.

This position will also guide the respective Project Managers across the MENA Hub, acting as a dotted-line technical supervisor to ensure program quality throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM) process.

As a Subject Matter Expert (SME), the Senior Manager, Market Systems and Financial Inclusion Programs will also support proposal development, engage in fundraising initiatives, and participate in global or Area Office–level technical Communities of Practice.

Finding the right balance between being an industry thought leader and a hands-on practitioner will be key to the success of this role.

3. Scope of work and deliverables:

Regional Housing Market Systems and Financial Inclusion Programs & Strategy.

• Lead the development of an overarching Housing Market Systems and Financial Inclusion strategy for Habitat in MENA, aligned with the MENA Strategy and Habitat for Humanity International’s global priorities.
• Coordinate with the regional fundraising counterpart to remain informed of potential funding calls and partnership opportunities related to housing market systems development and financial inclusion, to optimize HFHI’s positioning and readiness to respond.
• Participate in the internal go/no-go process for regional proposal submissions to ensure strategic fit, operational feasibility, risk management and alignment with HFHI’s priorities in financial inclusion and market systems development.
• Coordinate, where required, technical inputs from SMEs in housing, climate, gender, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning ( MEAL) and advocacy to ensure that proposals with a primary focus on financial inclusion fully integrate cross-cutting considerations, including gender, Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and safeguarding. Ensure these considerations are consistently mainstreamed across all proposals, programs and initiatives.
• Proactively engage with Habitat network colleagues, notably Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) and global advocacy teams, to maximize network learning, coordinate policy messages and ensure effective use of technical skills across the organization.
• Capture and communicate learnings, case studies and success models across the Habitat network and to external audiences

Program Implementation, Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• As the portfolio expands, ensure that all country or Hub level programs and projects related to housing market systems development and financial inclusion are effectively implemented through Project Managers (PMs) and delivered in line with HFHI standards, donor requirements and approved budgets.
• Supervise related Project Managers (PMs) in the planning, execution, monitoring and reporting of financial inclusion and housing market systems development program activities.
• Oversee and approve project plans and sign off on final deliverables and documentation, ensuring alignment with housing market systems development and financial inclusion outcomes.
• Together with the PMs, identify operational bottlenecks and mobilize cross-functional support (e.g., finance, HR, operations, legal) to resolve issues affecting project delivery.
• Facilitate quarterly program review meetings with the PMs to assess progress, risks, learning and course correction.
• Approve technical deliverables before submission and external dissemination, ensuring quality, consistency with HFHI standards and alignment with financial inclusion priorities.
• Approve project progress, completion and financial reports prior to donor submission and ensure archiving of all project documentation in line with HFHI standards

Donor and Partnership Management:

• In collaboration with the MENA Hub Regional Director, relevant Country Representatives and Global Funding Network (GFNs), contribute technical inputs and participate in discussions with potential institutional and philanthropic donors.
• Represent HFHI as the technical lead for financial inclusion and housing market systems, highlighting how these approaches are integrated into program design and delivery, while overall relationship management remains with the Regional Director and Country Representatives.
• Coordinate donor financial reporting, ensuring consistency between financial, programmatic and MEAL reports.
• Support MENA Country Offices to ensure that donor and partner engagement is coordinated, with consistent messaging and clear alignment to regional and global strategies, particularly in relation to financial inclusion and housing market systems development.

Advocacy, Policy Influence and Communications:

• Participate in national-level relationship-building and positioning of HFHI as a key housing and urban development actor, in collaboration with Country Offices and regional leadership
• Represent HFHI in regional and international advocacy roundtables, working groups and policy forums, positioning Habitat as a key actor on financial inclusion and housing market systems development.
• Monitor and analyze policy developments and legislative trends relevant to strategic topics in MENA, including financial inclusion, housing finance and advise HFHI leadership and country teams on risks and opportunities.
• Represent and elevate Habitat’s efforts in housing market systems development and financial inclusion in MENA to both internal and external stakeholders

Technical Support, Capacity Building and Team Leadership:

• Lead technical direction in MENA on housing market systems development and financial inclusion
• Provide strategic oversight of regional and multi-country projects by ensuring that Project Managers monitor performance against logical frameworks, Key Performance Indicators and grant commitments, and that timely, accurate
• Support PMs in preparing success stories, learning briefs and evidence for communication and advocacy use, ensuring coherence with program objectives, donor requirements and financial inclusion priorities.
• As resources allow and as budgets and portfolio size increase, make the case for, recruit and provide line management and performance oversight for dedicated Project Manager(s) and other staff, consultants and partners engaged in the design and delivery of regional programs and advocacy initiatives.

Coordination, Representation and Cross-Functional Engagement:

• Represent the MENA Hub in consortium meetings, steering committees, working groups and other external coordination spaces related to housing market systems development, financial inclusion
• Work closely with finance, HR, legal, safeguarding, procurement and other enabling functions to ensure integrated planning, risk management and operational delivery.
• Coordinate donor and partner engagement with MENA Country Offices, ensuring coherent messaging and alignment with regional and global strategies, particularly in relation to financial inclusion and housing market systems development.

4.Required Skills & Competencies:

Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or a related area.

Experience:

1. Minimum of 7 years of international experience in financial institutions or advisory services with at least 3 years of specific housing finance, market system development and other related experience across MENA, in at least one of the following areas (a) housing micro finance (b) mortgage finance for low cost housing (c) climate finance (d) digital / technology platforms (e) housing finance companies (f) Construction finance/ Developer finance project structuring and execution
2. Experience of working within the financial sector across, internationally and particularly across MENA, on multiple thematic areas, such as product development, project design, research and capacity building.
3. Experience managing or providing technical oversight for multi-country development programs.
4. Strong experience working with institutional donors and developing successful proposals.
5. Demonstrated leadership, stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
6. Strong analytical, communication and strategic thinking skills.
7. Fluency in English and Arabic
8. 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: HFHI requires that all consultants 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).

How to apply

Please submit your CV along with cover letter [email protected] with subject line clearly indicating your name and the position you are applying for (ex. First Name Last Name _Position Title). Please do not attach any other documents while sending your applications, if required they will be requested at a later stage.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date for Applications April 16 2026.