Habitat for Humanity International (“HFHI”) is a non-profit faith-based organisation dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. Habitat for Humanity International’s Bangladesh office (HFHB) is currently looking for interested and qualified candidates for the following position.

Advocacy & Policy Specialist

Purpose:

The Advocacy & Policy Specialist – with the direction of the Senior Management - is responsible for driving the implementation of HFHI – Bangladesh’s advocacy strategy aligned with country strategy. This position is responsible for ensuring that Habitat Bangladesh advocacy is centered on improving policies that support adequate and inclusive housing and human settlements. She/he will work with the programs team to ensure that advocacy is embedded in the country’s priority programs and will build stronger linkages externally with housing service providers including various levels of Government as well as with the INGOs, NGOs and Donors.

S/he will strengthen the capacity of program staff to advocate for shelter/housing and settlement programs in urban and rural environments, facilitate knowledge exchange between practitioners, build and strengthen networks with external agencies and organizations, and support Habitat Bangladesh’s urban and rural housing strategies (where applicable). This role is also responsible for ensuring the alignment of Habitat Bangladesh’s advocacy work to global advocacy initiatives and global campaigns.

The Advocacy Specialist will work with program staff to provide education about rights and responsibilities, assist with access to services, and advocate for community peoples need and interests.

Main responsibilities:

• Anchor the process of developing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and recalibrating Habitat Bangladesh’s advocacy strategy advocacy strategy and ensure its alignment to the country strategy;
• Identify advocacy opportunity windows and lead advocacy initiatives and other knowledge products to influence the housing sector in Bangladesh;
• Drive the participation and positioning of Habitat Bangladesh in various networks and coalitions, and urban dialogues with various stakeholders;
• Work with the programs team to identify research initiatives that will strengthen the evidence for advocacy work in the country;
• Provide support to resource development in mapping and mobilizing resources to support Habitat Bangladesh’s advocacy programs including but not limited to proposal developments and other related processes.
• Build and strengthen partnerships and networks and collaborative relationship and partnership with UN Organizations, NGOs/INGOs, Local Government Officials, Municipalities, Other Public and Private Organizations, Academic Institutes.
• Work with various teams in Habitat Bangladesh and within the Habitat network for knowledge management and cross learning on program related issues.
• Ensure that Habitat Bangladesh’s advocacy programs follows HFHI standards and protocols on safeguarding, DEI, data privacy, gender empowerment, and other cross cutting issues;
• Attend meetings, workshops, and conferences to stay informed about new resources and changes in policy.
• Participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and push for change.

Active support, role modelling, and adherence to the Habitat for Humanity’s Values and Safeguarding Commitment

• Habitat for Humanity’s 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 Commitment: HFHB 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.

Safeguarding:

The consultant and the field staff engaged in the project must adhere to the safeguarding code of conduct in both their professional and personal lives, which includes doing "NO HARM" to vulnerable children and adults, whether directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, knowingly or unknowingly. Each employee must take proactive steps to prevent, respond to, and report safeguarding- related risks and concerns by extending support and encouraging a "Speak Up" culture using the established reporting system. Any breaches would invite immediate disciplinary action, including the termination of the contract.

The following steps are part of safe-guarding related screening:

• Undergo orientation to have a comprehensive understanding of HFHB (including its values), its safeguarding obligations and the personal responsibility to maintain the same, the available reporting system and the consequences of non-adherence to the safeguarding code of conduct.
• Submission of the signed code of conduct and acknowledgement of Safeguarding.
• A self-declaration stating that they have no involvement, past or present, in any case of any form of abuse against any child or adult.

Requirements:

1. Education
At least Bachelor’s degree holder in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Policy Study, Public Administration, and related fields. Advanced degree is a plus. Master’s degree is preferable.

2. Experience and Competencies:

• At least 5 years of experience in analysis and research of pro-poor policies and programs. Experience in housing policy is preferred but not required.
• With understanding of key government housing-related policies and governance systems. With understanding of advocacy, campaigning, and communications and how they contribute to achieving program goals preferred experience with working governmental and local authority institutions.
• Proven experience as an Advocacy Specialist or similar role in social services.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and resilience in the face of obstacles.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to rights and services.
• Proven strong oral and written communication skills, with excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation abilities.
• Solutions-oriented and collaborative, thriving in an evolving, dynamic, and inter-cultural team.
• Consistently reflects the organizational principles through timely delivery of work products in fast-changing work environments as the organization rapidly evolves.
• Highly disciplined, able to perform well under pressure, and capable of balancing competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills with good attention to detail.
• Committed to delivering excellent internal and external customer service.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams (for information sharing and knowledge management), and project management software.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the impact of their own role on all partners, always prioritizing the end beneficiary.
• Upholds organizational and ethical standards, maintaining high levels of trustworthiness and serving as a role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Treats all individuals with respect, responding sensitively to differences and encouraging others to do the same.
• Effectively handles conflict by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Salary:

(Negotiable based on competency of the selected candidate with all other regular benefits as per organizational policy)

Application procedures:

If you feel that your qualification and experience match with our requirements, and you share a commitment to Habitat’s values and vision, please download and forward completed HFHB’s Job Application Form along with the CV and cover letter to hr@habitatbangladesh.org by 4:30 pm of April 6, 2025.  Please note the application form is required to be completed in full and that incomplete applications will not be considered. Women and minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

* Our organization is committed to promote equal opportunities for women and men from different caste, ethnic and religious backgrounds and encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for all our positions.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. Telephone enquiries or any form of persuasion will lead to disqualification.

Habitat for Humanity is opposed to any form of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse, including slavery, coerced conscription, prostitution, trafficking of persons for any purpose, vulnerable adult, or child abuse, and dangerous or exploitive child labor. In the design and implementation of programs and policies, we seek always to work without bias, to do no harm and to reduce (rather than contribute to) the consequences of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse.  Alongside, appointment of selected candidates would be conditional upon a successful background check and clearance of references and the identity of the candidates will be verified.