Reporting to the Programs Director, the Policy and Advocacy Manager will lead the development and delivery of an ambitious advocacy strategy in line with the vision, mission and objectives of HFHK. The Manager will drive the integration of advocacy across the organization’s priorities, ensuring a strong policy influence on the agenda that advances access to adequate housing. In this role, the Manager will lead efforts to influence housing policies that expand access to affordable and adequate housing, particularly for low-income communities. This includes engaging government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to drive meaningful policy changes. Additionally, s/he will represent the organization at national conferences, policy forums, and multi-stakeholder engagements to strengthen the organization’s visibility, influence, and partnerships. This Job Holder will also be responsible for ensuring quality control and compliance with advocacy requirements and overseeing alignment with the broader Habitat for Humanity International advocacy objectives. As a key representative of the organization, the Manager will actively build networks, cultivate partnerships and position HFHK as a leading voice in housing advocacy through participation in national events, conferences, and coalitions.
POLICY ANALYSIS
- 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
- Leads country-level policy analysis by providing guidance, identifying expert advice (internal or external) and collecting best practices to inform policy recommendations.
- Leads the planning of research activities, based policy needs and executes research tasks as determined in collaboration with other subject matter experts
- Ensure national advocacy programs align with the HFHI advocacy body of work and the HFHI Africa Strategy, maintain quality standards and accurately report progress through the HFHI’s Global Metrics Tool (GMT).
- 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, contribute 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
- 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 Plan
- 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 capacity building efforts for field advocacy staff and local partners as well as enhance advocacy awareness and knowledge among HFHK staff.
- 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 HFHK’s advocacy efforts align with global priorities, fostering synergy between program and advocacy.
- Lead on the development of relevant and realistic advocacy and related communications plans and coordinate their effective implementation
COLLABORATIONS
- 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 to expand HFHK’s impact in Kenya
- Contribute to organizational communications regarding advocacy on a regular basis
PUBLICATIONS
- 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 Habitat for Humanity Kenya’s website, briefing documents for SMT
- Identify, develop and oversee operational and analytical research
- Work collaboratively with different team 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
- And any other duties may be assigned by your supervisor.
Key Performance Indicators
- Clear policy roadmap and advocacy strategies
- Evidence and best practice informing advocacy
- HFHK’s impact maximized through influence
- String relationships with stakeholders
- HFHK is positioned as the leading organization on social housing
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, law, international development, Social Science or other related courses
- Master’s degree is highly preferred
- Additional education or certifications related to Policy and Advocacy if applicable
- 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.
- 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
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of Kenya’s policy-making and decision-making processes
- Skilled and strategic advocate and a confident communicator who can engage persuasively with a variety of audiences
- A strong networker and collaborator, ideally with a personal profile in the area
- Good understanding of campaigning, use of narratives and communications
- Ability to get guidance and work with others and deliver results through teams
- Working knowledge of national and international government structures and multi-lateral institutions.
- Strategic, analytical and creative thinking skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in remote teams and networking skills
- Ability to speak clearly, concisely and cogently
Other Information
- Willing to uphold Christian principles of HFH Kenya
- Ability to work long and odd hours, including weekends
- Confidentiality
- Honesty
- High levels of integrity
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.
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
If your background, experience and competence match the above specifications, please submit your CV & motivation letter as a single file by 6th May 2025 to: hr@hfhkenya.org
Indicate in the subject of the email: Policy & Advocacy Manager
Habitat for Humanity Kenya is an equal opportunity employer, and as such, HFHK makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, or disability.