Background
Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFHK) is a non-profit, non-governmental Christian housing organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty in Kenya through housing. HFHK is affiliated to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat helps people construct, rehabilitate and/or preserve their homes. Habitat also advocates improving access to decent and affordable housing and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. HFHK has been working since 1982 and has helped over 5000 families organized in some 200 community groups to construct simple, decent and affordable housing through provisions of loan capital and technical support needed for house construction. The organization is developing its new strategy aiming to increase its capacity, scale up and make positive impact on the housing conditions of low income people in Kenya.
Purpose of position
The National Director provides overall leadership and management to HFHK, and guides the development and implementation of HFH Kenya strategy. S/he will represent HFHK vision, mission and values to all stakeholders. S/he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization by ensuring resource mobilization, financial and programmatic support/management to staff and partners, partnership development and communications. The ND reports to the HFHK Board of Directors and liaises with the Program Manager from HFHI Europe, Middle East and Africa (HFHI EMEA) Area Office.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and strategic management
• Guides the development and implementation of HFHK strategy and long term business plan that lead to increased positive impact on peoples’ housing conditions.
• Models servant leadership and preserves, upholds and promotes Habitat for Humanity mission, principles and core values.
Board relations
• Oversees the development of the organization policies.
• Ensures HFHK Board of Directors’ resolutions are implemented.
Operations management
• The ND is responsible for the annual planning and budgeting, and manages the implementation of the plan and reporting of measurable outcome.
• Ensures the organization’s programme achieves scale, efficiency and effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Identifies and introduces best practices, and achieves high standards.
• Oversees programme planning, management, and evaluation through implementation of innovative partnerships and Appropriate Building Technology.
• Ensures and demonstrates good stewardship of resources, and maintains professional relationships with consultants, contractors and service providers.
Compliance
• In consultation with the HFHK Board of Directors ensures the fiscal, legal and programmatic integrity of the organization.
• The ND is responsible for accurate and timely reporting to relevant country statutory authorities, to HFHI and to donors.
People management
• Recruits, develops, motivates, manages, and evaluates personnel, including staff, advisors, and volunteers, to promote the purpose and achieve the goals of the organization.
• Develops and implements effective training programmes and equitable human resource systems to invest in and retain quality as the primary asset of the organization.
Resource mobilization / Fundraising
• In collaboration with the HFHK Board of Directors and HFHI, the ND ensures that the mobilization of resources is adequate in order to achieve short-term and long-term strategic goals.
• Develops and implements, together with staff and HFHI, a fund raising strategy that mobilizes resources through diversified constituencies.
• Develops proposals to meet needs identified at community levels that can attract donor funding.
Relationships and advocacy
• Represents HFHK before the public authorities and other actors in Kenya, and is the main liaison person of HFHK with the media.
• Identifies, develops and maintains effective relations with all stakeholders, including government, bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies, donors and sponsors, partners and homeowners, and the public at large.
• Develops and implements, together with staff, a communications strategy to promote the organization programme and brand.
• Develops and implements, together with staff and the support of HFHI, an advocacy strategy to promote policies and systems that advance access to affordable housing.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in development studies, social sciences, public/business administration, or equivalent work experience at appropriate level
• Minimum of 7 years management experience in international development contexts or at a similar level.
• Experience in program development and good knowledge of donors, including multilateral, institutional and corporates.
• Experience in managing donor-funded projects/programmes
• Community development experience will be a significant added advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of housing and human settlement sector both at national, regional and global level, and in particular on affordable housing matters.
• Resource mobilization, training and capacity building, coaching/mentoring skills
• Good understanding of key trends in international development
• Demonstrated financial management competence, including the preparation and management of budgets and contracts
• Strong project and people management skills
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and public speaking skills in English and Kiswahili required
OTHER INFORMATION
• Willing to uphold Christian principles of HFH Kenya. Enthusiastic commitment to Habitat International vision, mission, purposes, goals, and mission focus, including leading Habitat’s ‘God at the Centre’ process
• A track-record of effective and exemplary servant leadership and general management. Experience in managing people, budgets and other resources required
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally
• Ability to work long and odd hours, including weekends and nights
• Honesty
• High levels of integrity
HOW TO APPLY:
If you meet the requirements of the position, send your application letter indicating the reference number HFHK-ND-09-2017, along with an updated CV and telephone contacts of three professional references to emeahr@habitat.org to be received by 22nd September 2017. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.