Consultancy: Development of an ESG positioning for Habitat for Humanity

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization and part of the international network “Habitat for Humanity”. The vision of our organization is a world in which every person can exercise the right to adequate housing, which serves as the basis for a self-determined life. To move closer to this vision, Habitat is engaged on every continent: Through home construction, retrofitting and renovation; through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) interventions; through disaster relief and preparedness; and through a variety of trainings on topics such as construction, health, and housing rights. In addition, Habitat acts as an advocate in politics and society and seeks to develop markets and products in a more sustainable and socially responsible way.

Background
Corporate responsibility and a clear position are becoming increasingly relevant for companies to remain competitive in international competition with regards to investment decisions. In addition to the “E(nvironmental)”, the “S(ocial)” is gaining importance in corporate practice. In particular, the “S” – i.e. the social dimension of the ESG scheme – is no longer
reduced to the aspects of occupational health, safety and diversity. Rather, the global understanding is emerging that social responsibility activities can be linked to the core business and corporate communication and thus play an increasingly important role not only within the company but also externally.
However, little is known about how non-profit organizations can appeal to a companies’ESG efforts. As an organization that advocates for the human right to adequate housing for all, especially companies from the construction industry and real estate sector are from specific interest to our organization.

Scope of work
We would like to commission a consultancy with the following scope of work:
1.) Developing an ESG framework for Habitat for Humanity that can be applied to project work.
2.) Analysis of which Habitat for Humanity’s Projects globally can be presented to existing and potential corporate partners to ensure they fit the ESG framework of these corporates and, recommendations on how to tweak our projects to further align with the ESGs.
3.) Providing training via an online workshop for Habitat staff on how Habitat’s Projects globally can be best presented to corporate partners to ensure they fit their ESG goals and KPIs.

Deliverables
1.) Developing an ESG framework for Habitat for Humanity that can be applied to project work.

Habitat for Humanity is interested in gaining a clear understanding of the ESG requirements that are set by public policies (e.g. CSRD guidelines) and potential corporate partners. Qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders (ESG departments) of e.g., Whirlpool, Heidelberg Materials, Wienerberger, Hilti, etc., are suggested. In this phase, an ESG impact framework shall be developed which will assist Habitat in communicating and reporting about current and future ESG impacts to corporate funders.

Outputs:
– Overview of relevant stakeholders’ ESG requirements.
– Overview of Habitat’s projects that can be related to the ESG requirements.
– Metric framework on ESG reporting for future projects.
– An ESG positioning paper focused on Habitat’s projects that can be shared with corporate funders.
– Screening tool to measure ESG impact (advice on suitable data, data collection
methodology and information management).
– Reporting template.

2.) Analysis of which Habitat for Humanity’s Projects globally can be presented to listing and potential corporate partners to ensure they fit the ESG framework of these corporates and, recommendations on how to tweak our projects to further align with the ESGs.

In this phase, the consultancy team shall introduce ESG and discuss with the Habitat team
– both fundraising and project staff (the team) – the understanding of ESG. Working together with the team, this shall provide an understanding of Habitat’s projects and their environmental, social and governance fit for Habitat’s main corporate sectors. The consultancy shall be able to define possible impact measures of ESG within Habitat’s projects

Outputs:
– Workshop and discussion
– Workshop notes and materials
– Overview of Habitat’s measurable ESG impact

3.) Providing training via an online workshop for Habitat staff on how Habitat’s Projects globally can be best presented to corporate partners to ensure they fit their ESG goals and KPIs.

Building on the developed framework and strategy, a short training of up to 8 hours should be given to Habitat staff and having room for questions and discussions. This can be divided for example into two sessions with 4 hours each.

Outputs:
– Presentation of the results.
– Training for Habitat staff to use the developed materials.

Time Frame and Budget
The period of the assignment is from 01.11.2023 – 31.01.2024. The overall budget range will be EUR 30,000 – 40,000.