Materials and Labor Specialist at Habitat for… · Nairobi

Materials and Labor Specialist

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Opportunity Type:

Regular Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
The specialist will support efforts, understanding, practices and learning on construction practices. This will include but not be limited to value engineering: optimizing value by increasing efficiency while reducing cost of production (the latter day "lean manufacturing"), building capacity of developers and owner-driven builders, document understanding of existing and emerging construction practices that contribute to affordable housing in real economic terms for low-income households, inter alia. Taking a systemic approach, the Specialist will also work to catalyse the market to innovate to ensure access and utilization of appropriate, affordable Labour and Materials products and services throughout the entire housing market system with the goal of improving quality of construction in the incremental owner driven housing segment in the region.
The specialist will among other working methods engage with professionals and training institutions in the construction industry for early shaping and uptake of building practices & labour services, using industry standards. This will also include fostering of an understanding of social norms, practices and attitudes that underpin construction practices in the region.

Key Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Conduct initial sector specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities related to/and or contributing to comprehensive housing practices operations in Eastern & Southern Africa Region.
• Conduct or support studies to examine market conditions for building materials (new innovations in housing construction, alternative building materials),
• Support the Labour and Materials housing market systems work in the Eastern & Southern Africa region, identifying and soliciting initiatives from various market actors in the housing value chain, building relationships and supporting facilitation activities.
• Provide project management on the delivery of housing market systems mapping, value chain and market research, and facilitation activities with private sector firms.
• Serve as the market systems and Human and Housing Settlements (HHS) sector liaison person and display expert technical and leadership skills commensurate with the role, and to determine principles of resilient housing for the region.
• Support firms in identification, testing and application of innovative technologies and, including requisite construction labour, especially economical building materials to serve low-income households in an affordable manner.
• Support the development of a Housing Quality Standard guide to support incremental housing practices in the region.
• Working with the results and measurement team, to develop and monitor a system for data collection, analysis, follow-up, and feedback to relevant internal and external stakeholders
• Support the knowledge and application of housing construction materials and labour.
• Provide technical advice to internal teams on involvement in new shelter and labour interventions.
• Represent Habitat and TCIS as needed in industry gatherings and conferences as needed.
• Contribute with peers from other Labs and relevant technical teams on areas of common learning such as the Global Labour Initiative, etc.
• Liaise with potential partners and provide technical inputs on various products and services in the housing value chain.
• Accompany technical teams and other stakeholders on field trips as requested and ensure program details and reports are transmitted in a timely and professional manner.
• Collaborate and work closely with the Construction Practices Manager and the Regional Director to ensure alignment with global program strategy.
• Maintain an overview of regional context of the Construction Practices program that includes materials and labour, with a view to strategically developing relevant interventions in the region.
• Provide technical support in the development of need assessments and analysis, evaluation and impact analysis of current projects, and the writing of donor proposals and reports within required time frames.
• Support the development of proposals and/or concepts notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with markets systems and HHS principles and practices for construction practices,

Minimum Required Education and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Architecture.

Years of Related Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in construction, construction management, contracts management and project management.

Required experience:

• 5+ years’ experience in project planning, project execution and contracts management Experience in project planning and execution
• Knowledge of contracting, negotiating and closing
• Demonstrable understanding of green/sustainable construction materials, technologies and labour.
• Demonstrable understanding and experience of Market Systems Development.
• Understanding of the Housing Construction Labour sector
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures related to construction practices.
• Experience in implementing new strategies and procedures
• Ability to develop financial plans and manage resources, including ability to analyse and interpret financial data
• Knowledge in communication including public relations principles, practices, and ability to develop and deliver presentations,
• Demonstrated fluency in professional written and verbal communication in English and Swahili,
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government and/or private sector and to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Willingness to work in a flexible schedule and to travel even to remote destinations

Preferred:

• Private sector experience is a plus
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is highly desirable.
  

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About Us:

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

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.