Empty Spaces consultant – project design writer

1. Objective

To address the SDG 11, HFHI/EME aims to create a Europe-wide programme that will be implemented around the topic of converting Empty Spaces to Homes. The project shall address more effective utilization of unused premises (residential and/or non-residential) for social shelter purposes. Leveraging Habitat´s pilot project in Great Britain and Poland and anchored with an environmentally-friendly approach, the scope of the new programme will aim to address affordability of housing in further selected countries / cities and bring a circular economy mindset to the construction, real-estate / residential industry at large along with identifying and addressing all the barriers and challenges (financial, legal, legislative, business model etc.) preventing existing pool of Empty Spaces being converted into homes at scale.

HFHI would like to engage a consultant to lead and manage the conceptualization of the project design and subsequent proposal development. The to-be-designed programme shall entail some physical renovations/refurbishments for the sake of demonstration and piloting; however the key focus shall be around addressing the systemic gaps and obstacles to enable systemic changes via (some of) the following lines of work:

• identification and replication of financial models,
• enabling environment, market/sector development
• facilitation work with governments (national and local) or other NGOs, private sector (people-public-private partnerships / P4).
• create and promote local toolkits, knowledge dissemination, awareness raising, capacity building
• advocacy, etc.

The ultimate aim is to create an umbrella Europe-wide programme for localized implementation by Habitat national organizations, HFHI and / or other partners.

2. Key deliverables of the Consultant

I. Preparation to understand Habitat’s internal knowledge and expertis

a) Pre-read of all relevant internal and external materials

b) Interviews with internal stakeholders (approx. 5-7) and external (approx. 2-3)

II. Development of the Project Design (including needs assessment and conceptualization of strategic priorities)

a) Coordinate/facilitate a project design workshop(s) (remotely) with key internal stakeholders and external partners

• map out partners
• agree on programmatic and geographic focus (pilot countries or even cities) and timeline
• draft project intervention logic and strategic priorities (short-term and long-term)
• Create structure of efforts: demonstration work, market development, facilitation of work, toolkit, advocacy, etc.

III. Development of the Empty Spaces to Homes Proposal

a) Develop a concept note (and upon initial approval of key donor a full proposal – including indicative budget, narrative, Theory of Change and Key Performance Indicators

• with HFHI RD team develop proposal with timeline, roles and responsibilities
• co-lead the process of proposal development (including narrative and budget)
• coordinate regular meetings and calls among internal stakeholders and partners

3. Timeline and conditions

The contracting time is from November 2022 until February 2023.

Indicative plan:

• workshop / interview with internal stakeholders by December 1st.
• draft project intervention logic (log-frame or theory of change) by January 10th
• coordinate internal stakeholders and draft narrative proposal and budget by February 10th

Approximate number of working days: 15-30

4. Selection criteria

All proposals will be evaluated systematically, based on the following prioritized list of our key evaluation criteria:

• • experience grant proposals writing/evaluation – experience with project design process – experience of facilitating a multi-stakeholder consortium – knowledge of context on SDG 11 and affordable housing sector (preferably a combination of financial, construction and policy expertise) – proven experience in working across geographical countries/regions (EU) – experience with people-public-private partnerships

Contact person: Tomas Kelley [email protected]