Global Advocacy Manager

BACKGROUND

 

Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the international Habitat for Humanity network.  We tackle housing poverty around the world by working in partnership with communities and families to achieve their dreams of a safe and decent place to live. 

“Home Equals” is a five-year global advocacy campaign, launched by Habitat for Humanity International last year and dedicated to achieving policy change, at all levels, to ensure that people living in informal settlements especially in the Global South have equitable access to adequate housing. Together, with partners, governments and communities, we can create lasting change so that people living in informal settlements have safe and secure homes.

As a global housing leader, Habitat for Humanity has a unique opportunity in ensuring that access to adequate housing is prioritised around the world. Together, we can advance policies that unlock the potential of people who deserve an equal shot at a decent home.

Purpose of The role

Habitat GB is seeking a dedicated and experienced Global Advocacy Manager to lead our efforts in advocating for policy change within the UK government (in particular targeting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) to prioritise housing in international development. This pivotal role will play a crucial part in supporting Habitat for Humanity's global advocacy agenda which aims to promote equitable access to adequate housing worldwide, focusing on informal settlements in the Global South. The Global Advocacy Manager will be instrumental in building Habitat GB's profile and influence, establishing strong relationships and coalitions with stakeholders in the UK, identifying lobbying opportunities, providing strategic political insight, and ensuring systematic monitoring and analysis of the international development political landscape. By collaborating with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders, the successful candidate will drive meaningful change and contribute to addressing housing challenges on a global scale.

Main Responsibilities 

These responsibilities outline the multifaceted nature of Global Advocacy Manager role, highlighting the importance of strategic planning, relationship building, political engagement, and impact evaluation in advancing Habitat GB's advocacy objectives related to housing and poverty reduction.

 

·         Strategic Development, Engagement and Implementation: Lead the development of a comprehensive global advocacy strategy aligned with Habitat GB's mission and the "Home Equals" campaign objectives, engaging key people in Habitat for Humanity's global advocacy team. This strategy should focus on advocating for policy change within the UK government to prioritise housing in international development and align with our UK facing advocacy strategy where relevant.

 

·         Policy Research and Positioning: Synthesise research on housing policies, trends, and best practice to inform advocacy priorities and positions. Develop policy briefs, reports, and other materials to communicate key findings and recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders.

 

·         Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including UK policymakers, government officials, NGOs, advocacy groups, and other relevant organisations.

 

·         Lobbying and Political Insight: Identify lobbying opportunities within the UK government, including engagement with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other relevant entities. Provide strategic political insight and guidance to strengthen advocacy impact.

 

·         Advocacy Campaigns: Lead the development and implementation of global advocacy campaigns, initiatives, and events to mobilise support for housing priorities. Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to design and implement these initiatives.

 

·         Evaluation, Reporting and Learning: Establish mechanisms for systematic monitoring, analysis, and dissemination of political intelligence related to housing and international development issues in alignment with Habitat for Humanity International’s global metric tracking on advocacy impacts. Prepare regular reports on advocacy outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future action.

 

·         Collaboration and Coordination: Collaborate closely with teams across Habitat GB and Habitat for Humanity's global advocacy team especially on G7 related advocacy and implementation of the Home Equals campaign, other affiliates, and external partners to align advocacy efforts and share best practice.

 

Person Specification

 

·         Strong understanding of UK government structures, policy-making processes, and key stakeholders involved in international development.

·         Significant experience in UK-facing advocacy, policy analysis, or government relations, with a focus on international development, housing, or related issues.

·         Experience delivering targeted advocacy strategies and implementing communication strategies to support advocacy efforts.

·         Proven track record of successfully influencing policy change and mobilising support for advocacy campaigns.

·         Experience of directly engaging stakeholders and decision makers through events, networks, meetings and other mechanisms.

·         Experience working in a cross-cultural or international context is desirable.

 

Skills and competencies:

 

·         Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats.

·         Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and civil society organizations.

·         Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement advocacy plans, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing circumstances.

·         Ability to collaborate with diverse teams across multiple locations and different cultures.

·         Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines and adapt to challenges.

·         Enthusiastic, positive, and proactive with a solution-oriented mindset.

·         Demonstrated interest in our work and commitment to continuous learning and development.

·         Dedication to contributing to the inclusive, people-positive culture at Habitat GB.

 

 

The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way which reflects:

 

·         Habitat GB’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.

·         A commitment to Habitat GB’s vision, mission, values and approach.

·         A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures.

 

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list.  Job descriptions may be subject to change.

 

Flexibility   

 

Habitat GB is seeking to rapidly expand its activities and impact to fight poverty across the world. This means that the organisation must be adaptable and flexible and have an ambitious, dynamic and flexible team.  It is a requirement of the post holder to be flexible in terms of location (within reason), line management, and duties and responsibilities.

 

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

 

Start your Habitat journey

 

We want the recruitment process to give you the opportunity to share your skills and experience, and to find out more about Habitat. You are welcome to get in touch and arrange an informal chat with a member of the team before submitting an application. To apply for the role, please send us your CV and a cover letter telling us about yourself, how you meet the person specification, and your motivation for applying – we don’t expect this to be more than two sides of A4. 

 

The deadline for applications is 8 December 2024 (at 11:59 pm).

 

Interviews will take place online from the week beginning 16 December 2024. Selected candidates will be contacted to agree a suitable time for interview.

 

Please note that we do not reimburse any expenses incurred during interviews.

 

We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role. 

 

This post profile is not set in stone. It gives insight into the main purpose of the role, and expected responsibilities, but it might be reviewed in the future to meet the changing requirements of Habitat for Humanity GB – any changes will be made in discussion with the post-holder. 

 

Habitat for Humanity requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard 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 our code of conduct. The employment of this position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

 

At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.

 

Unfortunately, because of high volume of applications we will not be able to contact unsuccessful applicants. If you haven’t heard from us within a month of the application deadline, please assume that your application has not been successful.