EU Representative & Senior Director

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is looking for an EU Representative and Senior Director.

Reporting to the Area Vice President of Europe and Middle East and working with support from Government Relations and Advocacy (GRA) and Global Foundations, Organizations & Institutions (GFOI) and other key internal stakeholders, the position will play a critical role in strategy related to Habitat’s EU agenda – advocacy and funding opportunities.

The EU Representative and Senior Director is to be based in Brussels or within close proximity to Brussels, mainly working from home with an expectation of 20-30% travel, including internationally. The position is open to international candidates.

Job Summary

The role provides leadership and support across all aspects of the organization’s work in Brussels including:-

Strategy leadership and oversight: Responsible for defining and pursuing the strategic direction and priorities of the HFHI-Brussels strategy related to key EU institutions to leveraging support for the HFHI’s global impact strategy both within Europe and throughout HFH network, based on the organization’s work. This will be done in close cooperation with GRA and GFOI, with a view to focus on policy and programming related outcomes to HFHI’s Global strategy within the EU and non-EU countries. The position will also oversee annual planning and its key performance indicators (KPIs), for both Brussels-based action and beyond, and enable adaptive approaches.

Partnership and business development: Responsible for the strategic engagement with key EU institutions, including the European Commission, European External Action Service, Council of the EU and the European Parliament; with peer organizations; and other key external stakeholders, with may include capitals of EU Member States. This development and strengthening of relationships will also inform the structured prepositioning of national organizations across the HFH network in partner countries. Responsible for the overall approach to influence EU decision-makers on the importance of sustainable urbanization and the housing sector as drivers of sustainable development, and in line with EU priorities. In charge of forging partnerships with peer organizations for business development.

Governance and management oversight: The position will be responsible for supporting a cross functional team of Brussels based colleagues focused on communications, advocacy, and EU funding. The position will work to align efforts with HFHI’s GFOI, Communications, and GRA functions and teams, as well as national organizations across the HFH network to advance HFHI’s Brussels strategy for influence and impact within the EU. Also responsible for consultant coordination. When required, recruit, supervise, mentor and support new staff. In charge of ensuring efficient and compliant financial management of the Brussels office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, and execute HFHI’s Strategy for Brussels based institutions, with a view to create new opportunities for sustainable urbanization and the housing sector in EU policy and programming.
• Based on that relationship, manage and provide strategic direction in HFHIs EU relationships and with a view to leverage opportunities in EU programming.
• Coordinate HFHI’s EU strategy and related activities with all key stakeholders across the HFH network and Senior Habitat leaders (HFHI, Areas, National Organizations), through the identification of key milestones, targets and opportunities, including in partner countries.
• Provide direct support to Habitat Sr. leaders engaging in key EU related activities.
• Direct collaboration with and ongoing coordination with GFOI/GRA.
• Promote regional and global learning across the network of EU opportunities for the HFHI’s global impact strategy.
• Direct and manage the budget of the Brussels office.
• Direct and manage Brussels based consultants and interns.

Success Criteria

• Support the HFH network in raising EU funding and/or influence EU policy to enable increased funding opportunities for the HFH network.
• Success in furthering the HFH advocacy agenda within Brussels based institutions and in line with EU priorities.
• Increased success and engagement of the HFH network to align with and influence EU policy and programming opportunities across the funding cycles– for support across the global network.
• Overall performance of the broader Brussels team in advancing Habitat’s strategy for influence and impact within EU institutions.
• Positioning of HFH as a programmatic partner to the EU.

Required Knowledge, Expertise and Qualifications.

• Experience of program management at a senior level, preferably in the housing sector or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex change while staying focused on strategy
• Demonstrated success in EU networking and influencing policy and programming agendas
• Demonstrated track record of success in growing relationships with institutional donors
• Understanding of and experience with housing policy
• Knowledge of affordable housing and/or community development policy and programs.
• Ability to translate and communicate complex public policy issues to a broad set of different audiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Effective listener.
• Excellent interpersonal and relational skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a broad range of actors.
• Ability to manage personal tasks, keep deadlines, and communicate priorities effectively

Preferred – in addition to minimum:

• Significant results with Brussels based institutions
• Previous experience with the Habitat for Humanity network or another affiliated network or another affordable housing provider

Active support of 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: HFHI 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 Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

At Habitat for Humanity International, we embrace a history rooted in creating equity and take our mission seriously by courageously committing to a culture and workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued. As an equal opportunity employer, we realize that our success depends upon building an inclusive workforce of diverse perspectives and encourage people of varied races, ethnicities, national origins, tribes, religions, ages, gender identities and expressions, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, disabilities, veteran/reserve national guard statuses, socio-economic statuses, thinking and communication styles to work with us.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a global Christian-based nonprofit organization which 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 for Humanity seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.

Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

HFHI works through a broad network of national Habitat organizations and other strategic partners, such as corporations, financial service providers, individuals, non-governmental organizations, foundations, local governments, as well as the private sector actors. HFHI supports program and project implementation by national HFH organizations and directly implements projects and programs regionally.