Housing For All Program Assistant

Background:

Housing for All's mission is to revolutionize the housing industry in Egypt's urban and peri-urban slum areas, by mobilizing existing actors from various sectors of society to contribute their efforts and relevant expertise to solve the challenge of affordable, environmentally-sustainable housing in low-income communities, while concurrently addressing widespread unemployment among youth.

HFA will involve 5 main actors: microfinance institutions, private sector, universities, communities and youth; which will work to upgrade and improve existing informal housing in four squatter areas located in Cairo, Minya, Beni Suef and Southern Sinai. By creating a scenario where the interests of each group are met, and where each group's expertise is leveraged for the benefit of program objectives, the HFA model presents potential for replication throughout Egypt, the Arab region and beyond.

Position Title: Program Assistant (Position open to fluent Arabic and English speakers only)

Tasks:

The Program Assistant will report to the Ashoka Arab World Regional Director, and, in cooperation with the Project Manager, will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the project, researching fundraising opportunities, and developing new partnerships. Responsibilities will include the following elements: managing communication between the various project partners and staff, assisting in the hiring of new staff, engaging new private sector partners, investors and microfinance NGO's, driving forward project development and implementation.

A. Development (months 1-12)

1. Mobilizing significant investment for low-income housing from for-profit and non-profit investors through fundraising

a. Write proposals, partnership frameworks and budgets to secure further funding or strategic support in order to sustain and expand Housing for All

b. Develop and expand existing relations and partnerships with main funders, informing them of progress made so far and exploring new avenues for investment

2. Coordinating the hiring of project staff.

3. Visiting sites with the project manager to ensure that community members and the local microfinance institutions are prepared for project implementation.

4. Providing support in the development of new HFA partners

a. Develop partnerships with appropriate universities

b. Develop partnerships with appropriate private sector partners (consultants, banks, construction
companies, building material companies)

B. HFA Project Implementation (12-30)

1. Assisting the Project Manager and the Regional Director in monitoring implementation.

2. Reporting progress to all project investors.

3. Engaging local and international media to report on the project's progress.

4. Assisting in scaling up HFA centers by engaging more funding from investors and building materials at a reduced cost from private sector partners to expand the number of microcredit loans and including other MFIs

Qualifications:

Education:

B.A. in a relevant field, preferably in Social Sciences, Business, Economics, or Political Science

Experience & Skills

- Minimum 1 year experience in a related field

- Familiarity with the NGO sector in Egypt

- Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.

- Applicant must have strong initiative, independence, creativity, and sound judgment. They must be service- oriented and flexible, with excellent communication and organizational skills.

- Knowledge of key concerns and challenges facing Egyptian housing sector and slum inhabitants (Preferred)

- Experience working in housing and/or microfinance (Preferred)

Send your RESUME and COVER LETTER to Ashoka Arab World Office at recruiting@ashoka-arab.org