Construction Practices Specialist at Habitat for Humanity International

About the Terwilliger Center for Innovation & Shelter (TCIS):

The Terwilliger Center consolidates more than a decade of experience in developing market-based solutions for housing and the body of work resulting from these early efforts, formerly referred to as the Center for Innovation in Shelter and Finance. Through the Terwilliger Center, Habitat will accelerate and facilitate better functioning inclusive housing markets to enable more than 8 million people access to improved shelter solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct initial sector specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities related to/and or contributing to comprehensive housing practices operations in Kenya.
• Conduct or support studies to examine market conditions for building materials (new innovations in housing construction, alternative building materials).
• Serve as the interface between Market Systems and Housing and Human Settlements (HHS) program teams in determining and contextualizing the essence of affordable housing for low income households in Kenya.
• Work with the HHS and market development teams to determine principles of resilient housing for the Kenyan context.
• Support the development of a Housing Quality Standard guide to support incremental housing practices in Kenya.
• Support the development and implementation of a Housing Quality Assessment to identify and prioritize the top three to five quality deficiencies in selected target populations.
• Serve as the market systems and HHS sector liaison person, and display expert technical and leadership skills commensurate with the role.
• Provide technical review of submitted proposals and/or concepts notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with markets systems and HHS principles and practices for construction practices.
• Support firms in identification, testing and application of innovative technologies especially economical building materials to serve for low-income households in an affordable manner.
• Working with the results and measurement team, to develop and monitor a system for data collection, analysis, follow-up, and feedback to relevant internal and external stakeholders support the knowledge and application of housing construction practices.
• Provide technical advice to internal teams on involvement in new shelter interventions and shelter capacity for implementation.
• Maintain an overview of the Construction Practices program in country and of the regional context with a view to strategically developing relevant interventions in Kenya.
• Provide technical support in the development of need assessments and analysis, evaluation and impact analysis of current projects, and the writing of donor proposals and reports within required time frames.
• Accompany technical teams and other stakeholders on field trips as requested and ensure program details are transmitted in a timely and professional manner.
• Represent Habitat and TCIS as needed in industry gatherings and conferences as needed.
• Collaborate and work closely with the Associate Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation to ensure alignment with global program strategy.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Architecture.
• 5+ years of experience in project planning, project execution and contracts management.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures as related to construction practices,
• Experience in implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Ability to develop financial plans and manage resources, including ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
• Knowledge in communication including public relations principles, practices, and ability to develop and deliver presentations.
• Demonstrated fluency in professional written and verbal communication in English and Kiswahili,
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government and to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Willingness to work in a flexible schedule and to travel through Kenya and in the region to remote destinations.
• Support of Habitat’s core values and commitments:
• 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 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.

PREFERRED:

• Post-graduate diploma or certification in Project Management or Construction Management
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Private sector experience is a plus.