Position: Land and Advocacy Specialist 
No. of vacancies: 1 (One)
Date of Announcement: 19 April 2023
Duration: One Year and Extendable
Location: Kathmandu
Reports to: Advocacy Research Manager
Field Visits: 40% travel to project areas

Core Function

Under the overall guidance of the Research and Advocacy Manager this position is responsible to provide technical guidance for land and advocacy for land for housing for the landless and marginalized families’ access to land rights and affordable housing. The primary role of this position is to work with all tiers of the government, Habitat Nepal’s partner organizations, relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries to advocate for change, encourage equitable access and empowered participation of the beneficiaries for land for housing. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Program design, research/development and delivery

• Support Advocacy Research Manager to design relevant advocacy plans, programs, and projects in relation to advocacy for land and housing. 
• Review and contribute to proposals, concept notes to ensure funding for policy and advocacy initiatives.
• Develop policy briefs and policy options for land and housing rights.
• Lead high quality documentation of land for housing policy documents for donor reports, publications, project tracking.
• Conduct research studies, carry out policy analysis and design and develop advocacy interventions on the issue of land and housing.
• Implement and provide required support through advocacy toolkits focused on land and housing rights.
• Remain informed and responsive to land for housing policy developments.
• Measure the effectiveness of land for housing policy and advocacy initiatives implementation and provide support.
• Lead collection of best practices and the promotion of successes related to safe and secure land and housing allocation to landless poor.
• Lead the capacity building of Habitat Nepal staff and local partners.
• Lead and ensure timely and quality implementation of projects relating to land for housing.
• Lead and ensure that the budget is managed properly related to the responsible project.

Build alliance with partner organizations

• Build partnership with various advocacy networks and local organizations.
• Influence and partner with stakeholders to develop and implement policy and advocacy strategies on land and housing.
• Support field teams for effective coordination with PNGOs for field policy and advocacy planning work. Maintain positive working relation with PNGOs and support as requested by the Habitat field team. 
• Strengthen and build existing and new strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of Habitat Nepal’s organizational strategies and program framework.

Policy initiatives and support

• Build and maintain good working relationship with relevant government agencies.
• Coordinate and facilitate policy discussions, workshops, and meetings.
• Provide timely update and advice to stakeholders/PNGOs and Habitat Nepal’s Management team on advocacy and policy issues that arise. 
• Design, organize and conduct trainings and workshops, in relation to an appropriate advocacy strategy for program.
• Inform and influence policy makers, decision makers and planners for the promotion of land for housing. 
• Convene meetings with key decision makers to dialogue around reforms  and provide a supporting and enabling environment for the low income, families who are landless, vulnerable, socially excluded.
• Comprehend the existing Government’s administrative policies and processes followed for land allocation by the Governments to the marginalised landless families. 
• Participate in coordination meetings to identify key advocacy initiatives, needs and provide technical support.

Other responsibilities

• Ensure appropriate dissemination of meeting minutes, assessment reports and other information products to relevant partners.
• Represent HFHIN in relevant fora, conferences, and meetings as required.
• Keep up to date with knowledge on land and housing policies in Nepal.    
• Coordinate and support other departments as and when required.

Safeguarding

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, Habitat for Humanity International is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve. We require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding (Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Harassment and Abuse) our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening, police check and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behaviour, including safeguarding and whistleblowing. 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.

Education Qualification and Professional Experience

• Masters degree in law, public administration, social science, development studies, urban planning or any other relevant discipline. 
• With 3+ years of relevant experience on policy and advocacy in relation to land and housing.
• Ability to provide guidance and facilitate the staff, partner, through knowledge and experience on the technical area.
• With good writing and communications skills in English and Nepali.
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, research studies and advocacy initiatives.
• Self-organized, strong interpersonal, planning and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to build respectful relationship with the government, partner organizations and other networks.
• Willingness to travel in the field.

Preferred Competencies

• Upholds highest organizational and ethical norms and maintains high standards of integrity and trustworthiness.
• Works well in teams with a preference for transparency and collegial decision-making with an attitude to learn and share knowledge.
• Balances the needs and interests of various stakeholders, internal and external, while determining priorities and allocates time and resources effectively. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with external partners to deliver project results. 
• Capacity to write and oversee writing of technical proposals, concepts note for grants.
• Strong computer skills, especially the MS Suite.

Habitat for Humanity Nepal is an equal opportunity organization. Women, persons with disabilities, marginalized and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply.
We strive to keep our recruitment process consistent and fair. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.