Program and Policy Advocacy Director

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the National Director & Representative to Africa Union, the Program and Policy Advocacy Director provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for HFHE’s integrated program and policy portfolio, advancing equitable access to adequate, safe, climate-resilient, and affordable housing for low-income and vulnerable communities.

The Director is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for driving program excellence, policy influence, and systems transformation. The role ensures that Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia delivers scalable, sustainable, and high-impact housing solutions, while shaping the national agenda on adequate and climate-resilient housing.

The role leads the design, delivery, and scaling of high-impact programs, while positioning HFHE as a credible thought leader and influential actor in national housing policy, systems strengthening, and sector transformation. As a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director plays a pivotal role in strategy execution, partnership development, resource mobilization, evidence generation, and external representation.

The Director oversees programming across:

• Housing policy and systems advocacy

• Construction and settlement improvement

• Housing finance and market-based solutions

• Urban development and basic services upgrading

• Housing disaster risk reduction, response, and climate resilience

• Youth engagement and volunteer mobilization

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Development

•Lead the development and implementation of HFHE’s integrated program and policy strategy, aligned with HFHI Global Strategy and HFHE strategic priorities.

•Drive market systems and policy-led approaches to achieve scalable and sustainable housing solutions.

•Ensure programs intentionally target marginalized populations (women, youth, persons with disabilities, informal settlement communities).

•Contribute to resource mobilization through program design, concept development, and proposal leadership.

2. Program Management, Quality & MEAL

•Provide oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting across all program portfolios.

•Strengthen MEAL systems to ensure evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and learning.

•Ensure compliance with HFHI policies, donor requirements, and national regulations.

•Lead adaptive management and continuous quality improvement processes.

3. Policy Advocacy & Systems Influence

•Lead HFHE’s policy advocacy strategy, positioning the organization as a leading voice in housing and urban development policy.

•Engage government, civil society, private sector, and development partners to influence policy reform, investment priorities, and systems change.

•Represent HFHE in national and regional policy platforms, sector forums, and coordination mechanisms.

•Lead the development of evidence-based policy briefs, research, and knowledge products.

4. Housing Finance & Market Systems Development

•Strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, cooperatives, and private sector actors to expand access to affordable housing finance.

•Support development of housing microfinance products and inclusive market systems interventions.

•Promote climate-smart, affordable housing supply chains and SME ecosystem development.

5. Housing Construction, Urban Development & Basic Services

•Oversee implementation of community housing and tenure security initiatives.

•Lead integrated settlement upgrading, including WASH, infrastructure, and public space improvements.

•Ensure all interventions incorporate climate resilience and disaster risk reduction standards.

6. Disaster Risk Reduction, Response & Resilience

•Lead the design and execution of housing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery programs.

•Strengthen partnerships with humanitarian actors and government agencies.

•Promote community resilience and climate adaptation strategies.

7. Youth Engagement & Volunteer Mobilization

•Strengthen national models for youth engagement and volunteer mobilization.

•Build partnerships with universities, youth networks, faith institutions, and diaspora groups.

•Promote innovation, skills development, and community participation.

8. Partnership Development & Resource Mobilization

•Build strategic partnerships with government, donors, NGOs, private sector, and academia.

•Lead or contribute to proposal development, co-creation processes, and funding diversification.

•Position HFHE for scaling impact through strategic alliances.

9. Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

•Provide inclusive and strategic leadership to multidisciplinary program and advocacy teams.

•Strengthen staff capacity in systems thinking, policy engagement, and program delivery.

•Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and high performance.

10. Safeguarding

• Support the staff and manage focal points with adequate resources and prioritization of safeguarding efforts.
• Hold teams accountable for delivering safeguarding best practices and mitigating risk.
• Promote a safe, productive and respectful environment, including a “speak up” culture

Master’s degree in urban planning/development, Civil Engineering and Public Policy

Experience:

•Minimum 10 and above of progressive experience, including 7 years in senior leadership roles

•Proven experience in program leadership, policy advocacy, and partnership management

Preferred:

•Experience in housing finance, market systems development, or social enterprise

•Knowledge of climate resilience and disaster risk reduction

Core Competencies

• Strategic Visioning
• Collaboration & Influence
• Innovation & Adaptability
• Integrity & Stewardship
• Communication & Representation

HFHE VALUES

Active support for HFHI 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: HFHI 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.

Duration of the contract: – 2 years with possibility of an extension.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Salary: Negotiable

Required number: – 1

Vacancy Closing date: – April 10,2026