ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Being located in the Housing Finance & Market Development Team (HFMD) of HFHI’s Area Office for the region of Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) based in Slovakia with focus on the region of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and reporting to the Market Development and Institutional Technical Assistance Specialist, this position is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of construction and non-construction housing support services (HSS) of residential housing processes for low-income households in the region of Europe & Central Asia. S/he will be responsible for supporting the growth and development of construction and housing support services (HSS) initiatives within HFHI, local HFH National Organizations (NOs), Financial Service Providers (FSPs), and other implementing partners. This role will serve as the subject matter expert in all matters related to construction and non-construction HSS of residential homes renovations, reconstructions and repairs, which are mainly carried out by third parties. Capacity building of local HFH NOs, FSPs, and other implementing partners in the ECA region on basic construction expertise and on HSS, will be core to this position. This position may involve up to 30% travel throughout the ECA region and will be based at our EMEA Area Office in Bratislava, Slovakia. The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge base in construction, low-income housing programs, and experience in designing low-cost but effective housing solutions.

SPECIFIC TASKS & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Strategy
• Guide and advise HFMD’s leadership on, and contribute to the development of the region-wide HSS strategy including construction and non-construction housing support services delivered by local HFH NOs and through third-party implementing partners.
 
• Assists local HFH NOs, FSPs and other implementing partners in developing strategies and systems for housing support services (HSS) as a program innovation.
 
• Advises local HFH NOs, FSPs and other implementing partners on strategies to improve construction planning and management and delivery of HSS, aimed at meeting HFHI’s housing quality standards and guidelines.

•Participate in research, policy development and design around low-income construction and housing.

•Participates on and contributes to the work and outcomes of global task teams (as assigned).
 
Project design and management
• Within the ECA region, provide input and guidance on all new construction/HSS project designs and proposals. Advises on the approval of HSS project proposals and budgets.

•If so requested by ECA leadership, to provide direct project management of a construction/HSS related project.
 
• In general, support the Program Team, Area Office, and Headquarters in various initiatives related to construction/HSS.

Institutional technical support
• Leads the design of new construction/HSS services and its delivery models for local HFH NOs, FSPs and other implementing partners, including assessing the suitability and feasibility of construction interventions; advise on planning and management of construction/HSS services; provide guidance around technical specifications and construction cost estimates; advice to the appropriateness of materials and construction processes used; advice on appropriateness of interventions with regards to regulations, environmental concerns, specifics of the local context, building codes and other standards; as well as ensure construction and housing quality standards are met.
 
• Overall responsibility for supporting the planning and implementation of construction services and HSS initiatives, as determined by annual plans and agreements with local HFH NOs, FSPs and other third-party implementing partners.
 
• Build the capacity of local HFH NOs, FSPs, consultants and other third party implementing partners on construction services and non-construction HSS methodologies and interventions. Develops and delivers effective training, orientation, reference materials and tools, to assist local HFH NOs, FSPs, and other third party implementing partners in developing and professionalizing their construction/HSS staff capacity.

• Be a resource to EMEA’s Area Office, local HFH NOs, FSPs, consultants and other third party implementing partners in general in the field of construction/HSS technologies and methodologies.
 
Analysis and evaluation
• Leads the analysis, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of construction services / HSS programs implemented by local HFH NOs, FSPs and/or other partners.
 
• Provides construction services / HSS related learning interventions for EMEA’s Area Office, regional, national and partner staff.

•Responsible for collecting HSS related monitoring reports.

• Develop a database of best practice interventions for energy efficient renovations, green-building-techniques, solar panel interventions, exterior weatherproofing and finishes, space heating and domestic water heating systems, water and sanitation, treatment of damp and mold, windows doors and carpentry works, utility supply, internal alterations, internal waterproofing and finishes, kitchen and bathroom fittings and fitments.

Internal and External Liaison and Coordination
•Participates in Country Support Teams that are having an HSS program.

• Actively participates on Global Task Teams, participates in construction/HSS related Habitat Communities of Practice (COPs) and other related task teams.

•Coordinates work and exchanges ideas with other regional specialists and counterparts in other HFH entities.

• Network with organizations and associations working in the construction sector and other fields related to low-cost housing, to access latest technological developments.

•Initiate and support the negotiation of favorable partnerships/contracts in the construction sector.
 
• Coordinates the reporting and communication on construction/HSS related projects to stakeholders and /or external donors. Provide construction/HSS related support to Communications Team from HFHI to, media, business partners, donors, etc.