Call for Applications – Program Officer for Housing and Habitat in India and Asia

HIC

Location: Bangalore or Mumbai, India

Application Deadline: Sunday 16 April 2023, midnight 

Labour Axis is a knowledge centre consisting of researchers and policy practitioners working on labour. It’s brief is to help in understanding labour policy and labour in a broader economic, social and political context, and in its intersectionality with caste, race and gender. It works closely with the Working People’s Coalition (WPC) which is a network of labour organisations, a registered public trust. 

Habitat International Coalition (HIC) is an international collective of civil society organizations, social movements and individuals that mobilizes and advocates in defence, promotion and enforceability of the human rights of homeless, evicted, displaced, landless and inadequately housed people and communities, including those under occupation, in urban and rural areas. HIC seeks to empower people and communities to improve their conditions based on the principles, norms and standards of human rights, diversity, gender equality, social production and environmental sustainability. HIC promotes public awareness about habitat issues and serves as a platform for the formulation of programs, policies and strategies for constituent social movements and civil society organizations working to promote the human rights to housing, land, and the city, and acts as their representative to public, national, regional and international bodies and forums.

Background: Labour Axis, WPC and HIC, together with several organisations and social movements working on habitat-related rights in Asia are in the process of mapping organisations, initiatives and actions in Asia to establish sustained exchange, networking and collective action among actors in Asia working on housing (public and rental), land, urbanisation, gender justice and sustainable environment. The program officer will play a key role in coordinating and facilitating this exchange, with the support of Labour Axis and HIC. 

The work:

  • Desktop research and mapping of actors, issues, and approaches to housing and land in Asia 
  • Organise, coordinate and facilitate an online dialogue series with various actors in the region on Securing the right to land, housing and public services in Asia. Subtopics will include Securing the right to land, Implementing the right to housing, Implementing access to public services, alternative approaches, Habitat and Gender, Habitat and Environment, Habitat and Livelihoods 
  • Co-organising an in-person gathering of Asia-based organisations to develop a joint agenda and work plan 

Requirements: 

  • PhD, post-graduate or equivalent in a relevant area of study from a recognised institution and/or professional expertise and experience in social research, social work, public policy, architecture, urban planning, geography.
  • Experience of at least 6 years in a similar position – doing research, teaching, policy advocacy.
  • Excellent speaking and writing skills in English. Fluency is at least one more Asian language is an advantage
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to do outreach networking
  • Excellent computer, online and social media skills

The candidate has a deep commitment to social justice and is an activist who is interested in social and policy change. S/he would be a team player, able to work well cross-culturally and in a collective, contributing innovative ideas within a democratic space with accountability and diligence.

Work Conditions and Location

The position will commence on 1 May 2023 and the program officer will ideally be based in Bangalore, India, but Mumbai, India can also be considered. A large portion of the work will be online and across time-zones in Asia and with the HIC General Secretariat, although in-person work with Labour Axis in Bangalore will also take place. 

This is a 75% position (30 hours per week), one year contract with a monthly remuneration of 555 Euros. Benefits will need to be organised separately by the candidate. Benefits will need to be organised separately by the candidate. 

Application Details

Applicants are invited to send

(1) cover letter elaborating on their suitability and motivation to apply for the above position;

(2) CV outlining relevant experience and skills; 

(3) the contact details of at least one reference.

Applications must be submitted by Sunday 16 April 2023 (midnight) to the HIC General Secretariat – gs@hic-net.org

Please e-mail applications in Word or PDF format, with ‘Asia Program Officer Recruitment’ in the subject line.

Only qualified applicants will be shortlisted and contacted.