Associate Director – Operations & Strategy (CEE/CIS/Ukraine Response) At Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International, HFHI, is seeking a humanitarian professional to fill the critical role of Associate Director – Operations & Strategy (Central and Eastern Europe / Commonwealth of Independent States), initially focusing on the Ukraine crisis response. Reporting to CEE/CIS Director, this position is responsible for developing and implementing regional programmatic approaches and methodologies that support CEE Strategy and change management processes.

The Associate Director works with a variety of departments across the area office and HQ departments, especially with HQ programs division and acts as a point person in coordinating programmatic responses with the area office and national organizations in the regions. This position is responsible for leading change management plans and activities for changes.

This position has direct line reports within the CEE/CIS program department (MEAL Specialist, Strategy priority area leads) and matrix oversight of Program Directors in the CEE national organizations. The position is a primary focal point to CEE/CIS national organizations supported by the area office, and works closely with their peers holding the same position in the other area offices globally.

This position will be based in Bratislava, Slovakia or Warsaw, Poland, requires up to 20% travel, and is anticipated to last for two years.

ABOUT HABITAT’S RESPONSE TO THE UKRAINE CRISIS:

As millions of refugees flee violence in Ukraine, Habitat for Humanity is on the ground in four neighboring countries – Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia – helping meet the shelter needs of displaced families. We are supporting refugees on the move, supplying them with emergency travel kits and hotel vouchers. Habitat is also working on mid- and long-term accommodations for refugees, by subsidizing rentals, refurbishing communal spaces that can act as shelter and supporting mid-term hosting arrangements with families who have opened up their homes. We also plan to lend our housing and construction expertise to partners who repurpose so-called empty spaces – such as unused schools and factories – to serve as shelter for refugees.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategy Implementation and Business Planning
Develop and oversee CEE/CIS Strategy Implementation Plan and three-year business plan.
In collaboration with HQ teams, develop, manage and support a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) approach and processes and apply in the context of strategy implementation & oversight.
Contribute to or lead the design of strategic programs or initiatives as assigned and manage provision of subject matter expertise to strategic area office and national organization-led programs.
Ensure national organizations adhere and comply to MEAL standards and good practices.
In collaboration with HQ and area office HR, develop and/or oversee learning and knowledge sharing strategies and implementation plans.
Support national organizations in the development and adaptation of national strategies.

Oversee CEE/CIS Housing Programming and SMEs
Provide training and guidance to Habitat’s SMEs. Identify resources and support and new subject matter experts and institutions that enhance knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Support & oversee the systematization and documentation of Europe/Middle East experience and tacit knowledge in providing affordable housing solutions, in the three areas: social/affordable housing, vulnerable groups housing, residential energy and other areas of HFHI Theory of Change and Program Framework.
Oversee and contribute to the deployment of program frameworks, guidelines and methodologies in prioritized areas.
Oversee and CEE/CIS SMEs to increase Europe/Middle East capacity and recognition as an affordable housing solution expert.
Provide support with special projects (e.g., hands on support on start-up of a large new grant, joining interview panel for selection of senior project staff, participating in donor requirements mapping and mitigation plans).

Stakeholder and Change Management
Assess the change impact, create case for change, define and demonstrate cascading sponsorship, and develop and execute change and communications plan to build commitment for all major changes to be implemented.
Build internal and external networks and partnerships for housing-related knowledge-generation, exchange and learning.
Actively represent the area office in relevant internal networks and working groups.
Represent area office in external events and collaboration related to affordable housing knowledge-sharing.
Collaborate on the development of grant proposals.
Act as a point person for CEE/CIS interaction, oversight, support and compliance.

Knowledge, documenting, sharing and learning
Manage documenting and sharing of CEE/CIS successful experiences and lessons in the branded network.
Oversee development and delivery of learning experiences and knowledge sharing.
Lead subject matter specialists in efforts to bring in the organization relevant sector knowledge from outside and communicating CEE/CIS knowledge to the outside world.

Requirements:
Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in international relations, development studies or other relevant discipline.
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in international development/humanitarian sector and at least 3 years’ experience in the implementation of complex bi-lateral and multi-lateral funded projects.
5+ years’ experience and success in managing projects from conceptualization to completion
3+ years’ experience and success in strategy planning, implementation capacity building or knowledge management.
3+ years’ experience managing and delivering organizational change.
Deep understanding of both operational and compliance requirements of major institutional donors.
Demonstrated understanding of program quality standards and management best practices in international development.
Experience in risk management.
Fluency in English.
Experience in proposal development and project design.
Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
Competencies: building relationships and trust, leading change, developing people, thinking critically, communicating clearly, creating accountability.
*Active support of HFHI values and commitments:
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 safeguarding 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.