Consultant-Africa Advocacy and policy Strategy Development

Purpose:

The Africa advocacy and policy strategy will identify significant policy issues within the housing ecosystem, stakeholders, partners, donors, messaging, and key actions for Habitat for Humanity Africa Area Office’s long-, medium and short-term agenda. This will ensure that advocacy actions are timely, coherent, evidence-based, and responsive to Africa’s dynamic housing landscape. The strategy will be informed by Habitat for Humanity’s five-year strategy for the Africa Area Office while linking it to the five-year global campaign called Home Equals as well as HFH’s 50 for 50 Strategy and also the country context for housing a consultative process will be built upon while involving the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Government Relations and Advocacy (GRA) team, who have been working collaboratively with the Policy and Advocacy Manager for the Africa Area Office. This process will include convening a series of discussions with key stakeholders to refine and prioritize advocacy issues in line with HHI’s three global advocacy policy priorities under the HFH 50/50 Strategy:
  1. Housing Justice – ensuring that everyone has access to adequate and dignified housing.
  2. Climate-Resilient Housing – promoting housing solutions that strengthen community resilience to climate change and disasters.
  3. Diverse Housing Supply – supporting people-centric and pro-pro-poor policies that enable a range of affordable, inclusive, equitable and sustainable housing options.
Within the Africa context, these global priorities will be advanced through Africa Area Office advocacy sub-priorities, ensuring that everyone has access to acceptable & affordable housing.
  1. Increase house affordability through financing.
  2. Support secure tenure rights and equal housing access.
  3. Enable participation of stakeholders and participatory processes.
  4. Promote resilient communities.
A Steering Committee comprised of the Habitat for Humanity Government Relations and Advocacy team, in collaboration with the National Organizations and Subject Matter Experts (SME), will oversee the development of the Africa Area advocacy platform and strategy.

Objectives

This assignment’s primary purpose is to establish an advocacy policy and advocacy strategy for the Habitat for Humanity Africa Office while being guided by the policy frameworks/ agenda such as New Urban Agenda, Africa Union Agenda 2063, and Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on SDG 11, and to draft operational guidelines for the same. Further, the consultant is expected to identify relevant institutions and respective departments including but not limited to the Africa Union, Africa Development Bank, Economic Commission for Africa, NEPAD including the Regional Bodies such as ECOWAS, EAC, SADC and IGAD that will work with HFH- Area Office to address housing deficit in the region.


Specific Objectives

  1. Development of the evidence-based, feasible and time bound advocacy strategy that will include recommendations regarding the structure and operation of a regional advocacy platform that brings together key stakeholders working on the key advocacy priorities in the African region to coordinate joint advocacy efforts on access to decent and affordable housing for vulnerable communities.
  2. To assess and provide recommendations on the identification, selection, and effective engagement of key policymakers and rights holders at all levels, including civil society organizations across diverse sectors
  3. Conduct power mapping and distill decision making bodies, the gate keepers, supporters/allies, opponents and streamline key approaches to draw political wins that align with country’s national priorities.
Scope of the Consultancy

Create the advocacy strategy based on the HFH Africa Regional strategy and the outcomes from the interviews with the stakeholders, the document reviews & analysis and others;
  1. Develop workable guidelines to help Operationalize the advocacy plan that will include Africa Union Engagement strategy and suggesting context-based areas of influence for the national offices in the continent.
  2. Develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy, detailing distinct objectives, clear targets, doable activities, allies, deliverables, and indicators, clear advocacy messages, tactics as well as a three-year implementation plan and cost estimate for such effort.
  3. Conduct a review, consisting of desktop interviews and individual in-depth interviews, of existing regional advocacy networks or platforms, exploring their mandate, structure, and functioning within the HFHI network, including National Organizations and partners, and make recommendations for an advocacy platform.
  4. Conduct rigorous review of experiences from similar engagement strategies if available from other international INGOs in the Africa region, by including analysis of power, the governance and decision-making architecture of the AU including other regional bodies such as ECOWAS, AFDB, ECA, EAC, SADC etc (key aspects of power- visible, hidden, and invisible).
  5. As deemed relevant, it highlights practical instances of housing successes and gaps in those NOs where HFH AO operates.
  6. Collaborate with important regional stakeholders to identify champions / supporters from various constituencies (political leaders, civil society, researchers, social media influencers, and media) who can be mobilized to support Access to –adequate and affordable housing in the region.
  7. present a draft of the advocacy strategy at the validation meeting (to be held virtually or face to face)
  8. Finalize the advocacy strategy with specific action plan which will be presented to the relevant policy makers, regional CSOs, including relevant AU, ECA, AFDB departments etc., either virtually or physically.
Duration of the assignment

This contract will be executed for 65 working days from the day of signing the contract.
  1. Inception report outlining methodology and work plan within three days of contract signing. (10 days)
  2. Situation analysis/Data collection/Research (20 days)
  3. Report and presentation on the analysis of current regional Housing and Human Settlement advocacy networks or platforms, as well as proposals for the operation of the Platform for Regional Advocacy and Africa union engagements (10 days)
  4. Develop Advocacy Strategy that has implementation plan and key advocacy messages & tactics (12 days)
  5. Validate Advocacy Strategy (10 days)
  6. Presentations to relevant stakeholders within Habitat for Humanity International entities (3-day) and accommodate reflections & feedback for submissions at the end
Consultant Responsibility
  1. Development of Advocacy Strategy that will reflect the context of housing in the continent with practical data
  • Draft a comprehensive advocacy strategy aligned with the objectives outlined by Habitat for Humanity Africa Area Office.
  • Incorporate recommendations regarding the structure and operation of a regional advocacy platform to coordinate joint efforts on access to decent and affordable housing.
  • Identify and make recommendations about the selection and engagement of relevant policymakers and rights holders at all levels, including civil society organizations (CSOs) from diverse sectors.
2. Operational Guidelines:
  • Develop workable guidelines to operationalize the advocacy plan, including an Africa Union Engagement strategy.
3. Research and Analysis:
  • Conduct research, including desktop reviews and individual in-depth interviews, to review existing regional advocacy networks or platforms.
  • Analyze the mandate, structure, and functioning of these networks within the HFHI network and make recommendations for an effective advocacy platform.
4. Strategy Development:
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy with distinct objectives, target activities, allies, deliverables, and indicators.
  • Create a three-year implementation plan and cost estimate for the advocacy efforts.
  • Suggest/propose pertinent advocacy messages for key targets identified because of the power mapping & analysis
5. Engagement with Stakeholders:
  • Collaborate with regional stakeholders to identify champions/supporters from various constituencies (political leaders, civil society, researchers, social media influencers, and media) who can mobilize support for access to good and affordable housing.
6. Validation and Finalization:
  • Present draft advocacy strategy at a validation meeting, incorporating feedback received, including targeted reflections on feasibility, alignment with regional policy moments, and clarity of the proposed influence pathways.
  • Finalize the advocacy strategy and present it to relevant policymakers, regional CSOs, and entities such as the Africa Union, Economic Commission for Africa, and Africa Development Bank.
Key deliverables/ output and deadlines.
  1. Inception report outlining the tasks, methodology of execution, a work plan guiding the process, and a schedule for stakeholder engagement.
  2. PPT on draft 1 of Advocacy strategy to be presented to Habitat for Humanity entities.
  3. Submission of draft 2 advocacy strategy, revised to incorporate validation feedback and strengthened with clear implementation milestones and monitoring considerations.
  4. Report/ Data on potential champions for the Africa region, with recommendations on their roles, operations, and involvement.
  5. A final clean copy of the comprehensive advocacy strategy (e-copy and hard copy) in English, including 3-year implementation plan, supported by defined indicators, sequencing of actions under of the objective, and resource considerations to guide operationalization.Provide strategic direction during the consulting period from the time of signing the contract with the consultant.
HFHI Responsibilities

Will backstop the consultant in providing relevant data and supporting in meeting with relevant stakeholders for data collection. It will review and provide timely feedback to suffice the quality & timing of the strategy preparation

Reporting arrangements
Contractually, the consultant will work under the direction of the Africa Policy and Advocacy Manager with support from the HFH senior leadership in Africa in collaboration with the technical experts and Government Relations and Advocacy team, to develop the advocacy strategy

Expected profile of the consultant (s)/ Firm
  1. Consultancy firm that has more than seven (7) years working experience in developing continental advocacy strategy for INGO, Multilaterals, bilateral etc.
  2. Track record of sounding knowledge & experience on public policy, development framework with focus on Africa
  3. Knowledge of donors and stakeholders mapping both for the development and humanitarian contexts
  4. Sounding experience on descriptive research on relevant areas
  5. A graduate degree in the social sciences, politics, or Urban development and housing, land administration, and tenure security
  6. Be familiar with regional processes and policy frameworks that address climate resilience, tenure of security, housing sector and water and sanitation value chain.
  7. Minimum of seven years of experience working on/or managing land and housing policy development and human settlements in Africa, including the development of advocacy strategies for an individual consultant.
  8. Prior experience in strategic planning, which includes the development of advocacy strategies
  9. Knowledge of key actors and stakeholders involved in land management and sector administration, housing, and human settlements in Africa.
  10. Proven knowledge of the contemporary political, social and economic and environmental contexts in Africa including peace and security; their implications of prioritizing affordable & habitable housing
Evaluation process

Qualifications 20%:
Graduate degree in social sciences, political science, public policy, urban development, housing, land management and administration, or tenure security. Familiarity with regional processes and policy frameworks related to climate resilience, tenure security, housing sector, and water and sanitation.
2. Experience 35%:
Experience consultancy firm or an individual that has a minimum of Seven (7) years of experience working on land, shelter, and human settlements in Africa, including advocacy strategy development, and showing the ability to translate complex regional realities into actionable advocacy approaches.
Prior experience in strategic planning and advocacy strategy development.
3. Knowledge 25%:
Understanding and experience in developing regional advocacy strategy of key actors and stakeholders involved in land administration, housing, and human settlement in Africa.
4. Application Materials 25%:
Submission of a motivation letter, technical proposal outlining approach to the review of existing housing and human settlement networks, and the development of the advocacy strategy. Financial proposal detailing consultancy fees.

Payment of fees (Daily/ Monthly/ Phased)

The total duration of the Consultancy is 65 working days. The amount will be subject to a 5 percent withholding tax in accordance with the Kenyan government’s TAX regulations.
  1. Initial tranche: 20% will be paid upon submission of the Inception report, which includes a description of the project’s activities, proposed methodology, timeline, and delivery dates. The inception report should also include the advocacy strategy’s outline - Zero draft advocacy and communication strategy for feedback and comments - PPT on draft 1 of Advocacy strategy to be presented at the validation workshop.
  2. Second Tranche: 20% after the submission of the 1st draft of the report.
  3. Final Tranche: 60% will be paid upon submission of draft two (2) advocacy strategy (with inputs from the validation meeting incorporated) for final feedback, comment, and response. - A final, error-free copy of the advocacy strategy (electronic and hard copy) in English, along with a three-year implementation plan. - Workshop Report on Validation of Advocacy Strategy.
Application process

If you are interested in this consultancy with the HFHI Africa Area Office and contributing to the eradication of poverty housing, and meet the requirements, send your motivation letter, financial proposal, technical proposal outlining a) The approach to the review of existing housing and Human Settlement networks, and b) the development of the advocacy strategy in English, to Procurement at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected], The application deadline - 17th February 2026
Location:
NAIROBI
Position Category:
Consultant
Type:
Consultancy
Function:
Advocacy
Travel:
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About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.

At Habitat for Humanity International, we are compelled by our Koinonia roots to put God’s love for all into action and pursue housing equity and opportunity by bringing all people together to build community and drive impact. We strive to build a culture rooted in learning, accountability and trust, attracting and retaining mission-driven talent reflective of the global communities we serve.

As an equal opportunity employer, we realize our success depends on courageously committing to being a workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued, and building a workforce that reflects a variety of lived experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, in which every person experiences dignity and respect.

We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding 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 and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.