Position                 : Senior Specialist Policy and Governance 
No. of vacancies    : 1 (One)
Duration                : One Year and Extendable
Location                : Kathmandu
Reports to             : Program Director 
Field Visits             : 60% travel to project areas

Core Function

This position is responsible to provide technical guidance for land and housing policies at local, provincial, and federal levels for landless and marginalized families’ equitable access to land rights and affordable housing. The primary role of this position is to work with the government, Habitat Nepal’s partner organizations, relevant stakeholders and rightsholders for policy change or policy actions in the prioritized thematic areas of housing and land rights, climate justice and disaster risk reduction and market system development. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Evidence-based policy advocacy at local, provincial and federal levels 

• Lead coordination with government to actively advocate and technically support the inclusion of land and housing in annual plans and budget of the local governments (in Habitat Nepal’s working areas).
• Develop and facilitate implementation of toolkits for the seven-step planning process focused on land and housing rights.
• Provide timely update and advice to stakeholders/PNGOs and Habitat Nepal’s Management team on seven step planning process issues that arise. 
• Lead the capacity building of Habitat Nepal staff and local partners in relation to the seven-step planning process.
• Lead the process to engage with local governments (in Habitat’s working areas), particularly to influence Municipal Assemblies and bureaucrats to ensure that housing and land rights agendas are significantly considered while developing policies, programs, plans and budgets.
• Lead high quality documentation of land and housing policy documents for government archiving, donor reports, publications, project tracking.
• Develop policy briefs and policy options for land and housing rights integrating other thematic areas, including climate justice and disaster risk reduction, and market system development. 
• Conduct studies, carry out policy analysis and design and develop advocacy interventions on the issue of land and housing.
• Support the PDMEAL team to measure the effectiveness of land for housing policy and programs.
• Support the program department, including Advocacy team members for 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.
• Coordinate with government authorities and associations, including line ministries, Land Commission, National Planning Commission, MUAN and NARMIN for policy actions. 
• Support advocacy actions for positioning Habitat Nepal as the leading housing and land rights advocate
• Provide technical inputs, necessary support and facilitation to the Federal and provincial parliaments to instigate policy discussion and dialogues among the parliamentarians (or relevant parliamentary committee members or caucus) on housing and land rights and influence policy actions. 
• Administer the tracking of legal documents related to land and housing rights at all three tiers of governments. 
• Collaborate with local, provincial, and federal governments to advocate for policy changes and actions related to land and housing rights, climate justice, disaster risk reduction, and market system development.

Build alliance with partner organizations

• Build partnership with various networks and local organizations involved in the seven-step planning process.
• Influence and partner with stakeholders to facilitate inclusion of land and housing in local level plans and annual budget. 
• Support field teams for effective coordination with PNGOs for seven step planning process. 
• 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.

Other responsibilities

• Ensure appropriate dissemination of meeting minutes, assessment reports and other information products to relevant partners.
• Represent Habitat Nepal in relevant fora, conferences, and meetings at local, national and international levels as required.
• Keep up to date with knowledge on land and housing policies in Nepal.    
• Keep up to date with the seven-step planning process.
• 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, social work, public policies, social policies, development studies, urban planning or any other relevant discipline. 
• 5+ years of relevant experience on policy advocacy and seven step planning process.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the housing ecosystem.
• 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.
• Commitment 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.
• Capacity to write and oversee writing of policy documents such as local level strategies, acts, guidelines.
• 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.