International Housing Expert

About

UN-Habitat seeks an International Housing Expert, home based, to technically review, strengthen and finalise Botswana’s National Housing Policy and propose components of a National Housing Finance Strategy. The assignment is stated as 84 days during November 2026 to March 2027, although the deliverables section states a total of 120 days. Applicants need an advanced degree in housing and human settlement or a related field, at least 10 years’ relevant progressively responsible experience, and fluency in English. Terms of service: 84 days (during November 2026-March 2027). Duty station: Home based. Terms of service: Deliverables and Timeline (Total 120 days). Duty station: Provide technical review of draft National Housing Policy: 34 days (November- December 2026). Duty station: Strengthen and finalise National Housing Policy: 50 days (December 2026-March 2027).

How to apply

Submit a concise cover letter or motivation statement highlighting relevant experience and qualifications in urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and related fields; a completed and signed Personal History Profile (P11) using the standard template available on the advert; and copies of relevant supporting documents, including academic qualifications and evidence of relevant professional experience. Clearly label documents and submit them in PDF or clear image format by email only to agnes.mashonganyika@un.org, using the subject line: APPLICATION_INTERNATIONAL_HOUSING_EXPERT_ [First Name].

Responsibilities

• Provide technical review of draft National Housing Policy.
• Review the draft against Botswana Vision 2036, the National Spatial Plan 2036, the New Urban Agenda, SDG 11.1 and the Africa Affordable Housing Compact, and identify gaps.
• Review compliance with existing legislation and institutional mandates.
• Benchmark against regional and international good practice.
• Propose policy direction for the financial structure for financing affordable housing.
• Institutional review of key agencies and institutions mandated for financing housing (coherency, coordination and mandates).
• Prepare a technical review report with prioritised recommendations.
• Strengthen and finalise National Housing Policy.
• Reflect action plan of the HEWG developed in September 2026.
• Strengthen the policy framework based on the agreed recommendations, including a costed implementation plan and a results-based M&E framework.
• Analyse housing need, demand and affordability by income group, settlement and type of tenure.
• Map the current housing finance system and its constraints.
• Propose blended finance and public-private partnership models, risk-sharing tools, and better targeting of subsidies.
• Consult financial institutions and investors, then validate the strategy and finalise it with an action plan and an implementation roadmap.
• Mainstream gender, social inclusion, the “leave no one behind” principle and climate resilience across the policy.

Qualifications

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in housing and human settlement or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in housing and human settlements and related areas is required.
• Experience in implementing development programmes/projects, particularly in Africa, is desirable.
• Experience working with the United Nations system or an international organization is an asset.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.