Manager - Habitability

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Programs Director, the Manager - Habitability will be Kenya’s Focal Point for interventions on Resilient Housing, Climate Change Adaptation as well as Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery (HDRR). The position's purpose is to support access to housing that guarantees occupants’ adequate space/privacy and physical safety against climate change and disasters. Readying for our next impact, HFH Kenya is building more and better homes, transforming housing systems and inspiring action for housing. Habitability aims to achieve the quality and livability of the housing unit, and the household’s ability to make quality-based decisions to achieve it. This position seeks to promote habitable housing standards by addressing the drivers of habitability deficits such as climate change and disasters that perpetuate inequality on access to resilient housing by low-income families. As a contribution to our Business Strategy, the Habitability Manager is responsible for leading the design, planning, implementation, overall coordination, and monitoring of these interventions as well as providing strategic direction and budget preparation, forecasting, and funding. The Job Holder also oversees contract compliance, database and file maintenance, repair and maintenance projects and other logistics coordination for Habitability projects. S/he is expected to build capacity and best practices across all projects on resilient housing, climate change adaptation and Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery (HDRR). The professional will assist communities and stakeholders on exploration of emerging technological opportunities related to green construction ideals that can be supported by public and/or private sector community leaders as important investments for current and future generations. To ensure the projects are executed within budget and meet the required quality standards and are delivered on time, the position interacts with other field staff, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and partners organizations in the maintenance of best practice methodologies, systems, procedures, and policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall Leadership on Resilient Housing, Climate Change, Disaster Recovery

• Lead habitability business development in Kenya, according to sector and country standards
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to projects on Resilient Housing, climate change and Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery (HDRR)
• Ensure the efficient and effective professional functioning of the habitability projects and alignment with the strategic objectives of HFHK
• Promote innovative and quality housing solutions to accelerate housing access, ensuring programme’s cost effectiveness and sustainability
• Ensure the development, implementation, maintenance and regular updating of all the relevant related tools, systems, processes, procedures and techniques of construction in line with best practices
• Ensure that construction standards, regulations, legislative and statutory requirements of habitability are consistently met throughout the entire life cycle of construction projects (planning, designing, execution)
• Provide overall leadership to technical teams and facilitators involved in habitability related projects / programmes under HFHK
• Build technical capacity and resources at HFHK in close coordination with the HR Department
• Enhance and maintain employee motivation and cultivate a culture of performance management
• Ensures that the performance of Habitability initiatives and projects are reviewed against their contribution to HFHK’s business

Management Of Projects on Resilient Housing, Climate Change, Disaster Recovery

• Support HFHK in designing, developing and delivering major donor proposals, reports, concept notes and other relevant documents
• Supports the partnerships team in mobilizing resources towards key activities/projects/programs for resilient housing, climate change and Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery (HDRR)
• Lead and manage the total life cycle of habitability projects from conceptualisation to completion/closure – within budget, the requisite quality standards and on time
• Ensure that the entire life cycle of habitability projects are captured using relevant software, systems, and tools in line with best practice
• Oversee construction of structures and infrastructure projects on resilient housing and DR3 from conception to completion
• Ensure effective management and documentation of habitability project scope and escalation management
• Identify, monitor and control scope and prepare relevant documentation to support such change
• Ensure project and programme planning and preparation to make projects to be bankable and implementation ready.
• Coordinate short-to-long-term project pipeline planning and updating

Quality Assurance on Resilient Housing, Climate Change, Disaster Recovery

• Ensure understanding and adherence at all stages of HDRR project design, implementation and evaluation, the strategies, quality standards and policies related to HDRR (Pathways to Permanence, Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere, Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction)
• Conduct and supervise technical assessments and data analysis related to Habitability, considering Resilient Housing, climate change and disaster challenges
• Develop with the support of the MEAL team project Key Performance Indicators on Habitability, Resilient Housing, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Response projects
• Maintenance, and updating of credible and bankable project pipeline and adherence to quality assurance systems, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOP) in line with relevant statutory, legislative
• Ensure that all Resilient Housing projects and infrastructure are managed within the required budgets and timelines from conception to completion
• Ensure construction within the Resilient Housing and Infrastructures projects are properly costed and budgeted based on project pipeline plan.
• Play a leading role in the procurement/adjudication/selection of construction-related service providers, as well as legal contract management
• Ensure that stakeholders such as suppliers and contractors adhere to contractual obligations and submit accurate and correct invoices and ensure that they are accompanied by the relevant evidential documentation
• As part of good project good practice, ensure that other quality assurance measures such as regular project meetings and site technical meetings are regularly convened and documented
• Develop, implement, maintain and update risk management and mitigation strategy and plan to ensure successful implementation of the social housing projects
• Oversee all onsite and offsite constructions to monitor compliance with building and safety regulations and ensure strict adherence to project budgets

Engagement Of Stakeholders on Resilient Housing, Climate Change, Disaster Recovery

• Represents HFHK in meetings and events related to Resilient Housing, Climate Change Adaptation and Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery (HDRR)
• Manage, measure, and monitor the performance of various external project stakeholders such as professionals, contractors, suppliers, etc in line with the requisite quality and service standards, protocols and service level agreements
• Establish and maintain good and amicable relations with all stakeholders
• Ensure that the person(s) responsible for stakeholder relations in the unit develops and maintains stakeholder strategy, plan and mapping which identifies all the relevant stakeholders and their respective "stake" or roles/responsibilities concerning construction projects
• Ensure that a stakeholder communications strategy and plan is developed and maintained for project (s) by the relevant person(s) in the unit
• Ensure projects are implemented as per the agreement with donors/funders, clients and approvals by the board - and in line with signed agreements/contracts

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science e.g. Construction Management, Civil Engineering, architecture, Quality and Land Survey) or any other relevant field
• Master’s Degree related to Environment, Climate Change is also preferred
• Formal project management qualification and registration with the relevant professional entity would be a distinct added advantage
• A minimum of 8 years’ project experience on Resilient Housing, Climate Change adaptation and Housing Disaster Risk and Recovery (procedures, design, planning, implementation, budgeting, reporting, evaluation, and monitoring).
• Experience in planning and developing habitability projects in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas with a clear understanding on resilient housing, climate change Adaptation and Housing Disaster Risk and response
• Leadership experience in developing reconstruction projects related to habitability
• Project management experience, with the ability to implement projects within a budget and timeframe
• Experience negotiating with multiple donors, understanding their interests, requirements and how to meet them
• Demonstrable experience in managing and leading a team of technical staff
• Experience in managing multi-year projects and providing solutions to complex problems and contexts
• Implementing and managing quality assurance systems, procedures and policies based on best practice and applicable legislation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Computer literacy in Construction Computer Software, Blender (3D Modelling Software), AutoCad
• Excellent organizational skills include accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under minimal or no supervision, while also able to be a team player and ready to work in a team building environment
• Resourceful and creative with ability to think strategically
• Analyzes and provides solutions to complex problems and contexts.
• Adult training skills, capacity building, facilitation, and presentation skills
• A high level of diplomacy and networking skills; cross-cultural sensitivity
• Good communication skills – including written and spoken presentation

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS/ MEASURES

• Alignment between habitability projects and the strategic objectives of HFHK
• Habitability projects are properly costed, funded and implemented as per the agreement with donors
• Employees are motivated and cultivate a culture of performance management
• Habitability projects are compliant with all the relevant standards, regulations, statutory, legislative and best practice requirements
• Good and amicable relations with all stakeholders
• Partner families are potentially impacted by Habitable housing standards

OTHER INFORMATION

• Willing to uphold Christian principles of HFH Kenya
• Committed to HFHI principles.
• Ability to work long and odd hours, including weekends
• Confidentiality
• Honesty
• High levels of integrity

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: HFH requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work.

How to apply

If your background, experience and competence match the above specifications, please submit your CV & motivation letter as a single file by 1 August 2025 to: hr@hfhkenya.org

Indicate in the subject of the email: Manager-Habitability

Habitat for Humanity Kenya is an equal opportunity employer, and as such, HFHK makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant's race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, or disability.