Habitat-USAID/BHA's International Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements practicum fellowship

The program timeline spans six months. The first three months include remote learning and field planning, and the second three months include in-person field support.

The 2024 timeline is as follows:

• January-March 2024: Practicum call for applications
• March-April 2024: Selection and interviews in collaboration with host organization.
• April-June 2024: First phase of the practicum — primarily remote. Each fellow’s estimated time commitment is 20 hours per week.
• July-September 2024: Second phase of the practicum — predominantly fieldwork. Each fellow’s estimated time commitment is 40 hours per week, except the HFHI position which requires 20 hours per week and a two-week international trip during which 40 hours is expected.
• October-November 2024: Final report.

Applications are currently closed but may be reopened in the future depending on program funding. We hope to accept applications again in 2025. 

Habitat for Humanity International will evaluate and shortlist applicants based on the following criteria:

• Citizenship/residency: The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
• Educational background: The applicant can be a student in the final year of their bachelor’s degree program, a recent graduate with a bachelor’s or a graduate degree with no more than three years post-graduation, or a current graduate student.
• Field of study: The applicant should be studying or hold a degree in one of the specified disciplines or a related field.
  • City, urban, environmental or regional planning.
  • Architecture or architectural engineering.
  • Civil or environmental engineering.
  • International or development studies.
  • Humanities or social studies.
  • Or similar disciplines.
• Position requirements: The applicant must meet the specific requirements outlined in the position description provided by the National Office or Area Office, including language proficiency, skills and relevant experience.

Selection process: Shortlisted applicants will undergo interviews conducted by both the host organization and Habitat for Humanity International. The final selection for the available position will be a collaborative decision between the host organization and HFHI, ensuring the best candidate is chosen.

Criminal background screening: In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all selected applicants must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable for upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.

Location: San Salvador, El Salvador — Central America.
Number of fellowships available: One.
Fellowship timeframe: Approximately 6 months, April-September 2024.

Main activities: 

• Support the implementation of the global advocacy campaign “House is...” in the informal settlements in Rosario de Mora, San Salvador. The project seeks to improve the quality of life of 135 families by increasing their local capacities to cope with climate change impact through a participatory process called Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter and Settlement awareness, or PASSA.

• Support the identification of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response capacities and training needs of the Habitat National Office.

Deliverables:

• Report on the implementation of the PASSA training in Rosario de Mora.

• Design and budget for two sustainable houses as part of the Green House Program that focuses on adapting affordable housing to climate change context.

• Create documentation related to assessing the Habitat National Office’s capacity and training needs, with specific details on the product to be identified later.

• Fulfill orientation training requirements prior to the deployment phase. 

Significant study in one of the following preferred disciplines:

• Architecture or architectural engineering.

• Civil or environmental engineering.

• City, urban, environmental or regional planning.

• Land policy and planning or land management.

Skills required: 

• Knowledge of housing construction processes.

• Experience with BIM — Revit, Autocad.

• Previous experience working with communities, especially if volunteering.

Language requirement: Intermediate proficiency in Spanish is required. Candidates should be able to comfortably engage in conversations, understand written instructions and convey information in a professional context in Spanish.

Accommodation and additional support: Habitat El Salvador will locate an apartment close to the national office, situated in a secure and easily accessible area within the capital.

Networking and learning opportunities: During their time with Habitat El Salvador, the fellow can collaborate with humanitarian organizations, including clusters like WASH and Temporary Shelter. Meetings with cluster leaders, such as IOM and UNHCR, can be scheduled. Opportunities also exist for activities with universities and working sessions with the El Salvador Green Building Council, a leader in Sustainable Construction.

More about the host: Habitat for Humanity El Salvador.

Location: Recife, Brazil — South America.
Number of fellowships available: One.
Fellowship timeframe: Approximately 6 months, April-September 2024.

Main activities: 

• Support the development of the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy of the National Office and collaborate in the implementation of the Disaster Contingency Plan. This may include participation in workshops, discussions, community meetings and town halls.

• Subject to the occurrence of disasters during their stay in the country, the fellow will support the national team on disaster response activities like distribution of shelter-related kits.

• Support the identification of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response capacities and training needs of the Habitat National Office.

Deliverables: 

• Assist in drafting specific components of the strategy and create presentations summarizing key components of the strategy for stakeholder engagement.

• Prepare regular progress reports on the implementation of the disaster contingency plan.

• Documentation related to assessing the Habitat National Office’s capacity and training needs, with specific details on the product to be identified later.

• Successful fulfillment of orientation training requirements prior to the deployment phase. 

Significant study in one of the following preferred disciplines:

• Architecture or architectural engineering.

• civil or environmental engineering.

• Humanities.

• Social studies.

• Climate change adaptation and disaster response.

Skills required: 

• Strong communication skills.

• Collaborative teamwork abilities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Desirable proficiency in conducting interviews.

• Data analysis proficiency.

• Report writing skills.

Language requirement: Fluency in Portuguese is desirable, but if not possible, at least an intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish is required.
Candidates should be able to comfortably engage in conversations, understand written instructions and convey information in a professional context in Portuguese or Spanish.

Accommodation and additional support: The fellow will receive support through recommendations for accommodation from reliable sources within the Habitat Brazil team. Additionally, they will receive supervision to navigate issues related to transportation, meals, behavior and safe locations within the city. The host organization will provide orientations as part of the onboarding training package.

More about the host: Habitat for Humanity Brazil.

Fellowship location: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Caribbean.
Number of fellowships available: One.
Fellowship timeframe: Approximately 6 months, April-September 2024.

Main activities:

• Support the planning and rollout of a community-based disaster risk reduction program using the PASSA — Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness — methodology in two communities.

• Support the promotion of the participatory process and its main findings while seeking funding to implement activities that arise from their mitigation action plan.

• Support the identification of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response capacities and training needs of the Habitat National Office.

Deliverables: 

• Prepare regular progress reports and dissemination material on the community rollouts.

• Draft content for website updates or social media posts related to the PASSA process.

• Document the assessment of the Habitat National Office’s capacity and training needs, with specific details on the product to be identified at a later stage.

• Successful fulfillment of orientation training requirements prior to the deployment phase. 

Significant study in one of the following preferred disciplines:

• Architecture or architectural engineering.

• Civil or environmental engineering.

• Social studies.

Skills required: 

• Exceptional interpersonal skills.

• Dynamic and adaptable.

• Proficient in working with individuals with varying literacy levels.

• Desirable proficiency in conducting interviews.

• Highly organized.

• Enthusiastic about teaching and facilitating learning opportunities.

Language requirement: Fluent or advanced proficiency in Spanish is required. Candidates should be able to engage in conversations, comprehend written instructions and effectively convey information in a professional context in Spanish.

Accommodation and additional support: The host organization will provide a list of potential rental locations, including options like Airbnb, hostels or the possibility of sharing a rental with a staff member.

Networking and learning opportunities: During their time with Habitat Dominican Republic, the participant will engage in networking opportunities with various staff from different departments. The fellow will familiarize themselves with various community projects and interventions implemented by Habitat across different communities. Additionally, they will closely coordinate with local stakeholders.

More about the host: Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic.

Fellowship location: One felllowship available in Jakarta, Indonesia — Asia region.
Fellowship timeframe: Approximately 6 months, April-September 2024.

Main activities: Final activities will be decided collaboratively between the fellow and the host organization. Potential projects or programs include:

• Community-based disaster risk reduction: Develop community engagement strategies, conduct risk assessments and assist in implementing resilience-building activities.

• Shelter cluster coordination: Collaborate with Indonesia Shelter Sub-Cluster to improve coordination mechanisms and explore opportunities to strengthen coordination between ministries.

• Capacity building for emergency response teams: Collaborate on training and capacity building for emergency response teams, participate in simulation exercises and contribute to the evaluation of response strategies.

• Post-disaster recovery planning: Assist in developing sustainable recovery plans, focusing on resilient rebuilding strategies in collaboration with local government agencies, NGOs and affected communities.

• Climate change adaptation in disaster management: Contribute to projects enhancing resilience to climate-related risks and vulnerabilities.

• Public awareness and education campaigns: Develop and implement public awareness campaigns, create educational materials and engage with communities. Collaborate with the communications team of Habitat Indonesia for impactful content on various social media platforms.

• GIS and technology in disaster management: Utilize GIS for mapping vulnerable areas and analyzing spatial data. Explore the role of technology in improving communication and coordination during disasters. 

Deliverables: Deliverables will be chosen in collaboration with the fellow, potentially including GIS maps, the establishment of a roster of humanitarian contacts, development of educational materials, written reports, case studies, or presentations, among other possibilities. Deliverables will also include orientation training requirements prior to the deployment phase, and documentation related to the assessment of the Habitat National Office’s capacity and training needs, with specific details on the product to be identified at a later stage.

Significant study in one of the following preferred disciplines: Architecture or architectural engineering, civil or environmental engineering, social studies, humanities, international or development studies.

Skills required:

• Adaptability and flexibility in adjusting to different roles and responsibilities during deployment.and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Analytical and critical thinking skills to assess complex situations and propose effective solutions, as well as basic project management skills including the ability to set goals, manage timelines and prioritize tasks.

• Relevant technical skills such as GIS mapping, data analysis or emergency response training may be beneficial.

Language requirement: Fluent or advanced proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia is required. 

Accommodations: The host organization will provide a list of potential rental locations, such as Airbnb, hostels or the possibility of staying with a local family.

Networking and learning opportunities: The fellow will have the opportunity to liaise with organizations such as the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency, or BNPB; humanitarian networks in Indonesia such as Humanitarian Forum Indonesia, MPBI, IFRC, ACT Alliance, etc.; Shelter Clusters; local NGOs; and international agencies involved in disaster response and risk reduction to identify specific projects aligned with their skills and interests. 

More about the host: Habitat for Humanity Indonesia.

Fellowship location: One fellowship available in Southeastern Africa, potentially at either the National Office in Lilongwe, the Blantyre sub-office or the Mulanje Field office in Malawi.
Fellowship timeframe: Approximately 6 months, April-September 2024.

Main activities: Final activities will be decided collaboratively between the fellow and the host organization. However, potential projects or programs in which the fellows might be involved include:

• Advocating for the rights and welfare of the people living in informal settlements and supporting the Home Equals campaign that aims to create lasting change for them.

• Engaging in local builds alongside construction teams and local volunteers in constructing homes for the vulnerable groups. Global Village volunteers are set to resume in March 2024.

• Joint evaluation of funding opportunities and proposal development with the Resource Development Coordinator and Sector heads.

• Photography and videography of the community engagement activities as well as social media promotions such as development of blogs on the work the fellow is engaged in.

• Supporting development of project implementation plans as well as reviewing Habitat Malawi disaster risk management contingency plans.

• Coordination and distribution of disaster relief items in cases of emergencies.

• Support the identification of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response capacities and training needs of the Habitat National Office.

Deliverables: Deliverables will be chosen in collaboration with the fellow, potentially including brief progress reports, development of educational materials, case studies or presentations, among other possibilities. Deliverables will also include orientation training requirements prior to the deployment phase, and documentation related to the assessment of the Habitat National Office’s capacity and training needs, with specific details on the product to be identified at a later stage.

Significant study in one of the following: City, urban, environmental or regional planning; land policy and planning or land management; international or development studies; humanities; or social studies.

Skills required:

• Practical experience or knowledge in project management, monitoring and grant writing is desired.

• Interest in housing development and poverty alleviation for vulnerable groups in rural communities.

• Open-mindedness and innovation for proposing solutions to housing challenges in a multicultural setup.

• Motivation and enthusiasm for learning and contributing to the organization’s mission.

Language requirement: Fellow should have intermediate to advanced proficiency in English. Habitat Malawi staff is proficient in English, and it is used in interactions with implementing partners and government agencies. As the host organization primarily operates in rural communities where Chichewa is the national language, fellow is also expected to strive to attain a basic level of proficiency in Chichewa, including key words for greetings and expressions of gratitude to facilitate respectful engagement with community members and aid in the adaptation to local customs and norms.

Accommodation and additional support: Habitat Malawi will recommend lodging options that have been vetted for their security and convenience, and will also provide local transportation using Habitat vehicles during work hours.

Networking and learning opportunities: Habitat Malawi will facilitate opportunities for the fellow to collaborate and network with Habitat’s network in the country to understand the scope of its implementation as well as the overall housing value chain. This allows them to interact with other humanitarian organizations or local partners working towards the same goals. The fellow will be integrated into key departments such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Communications, Advocacy, MEAL, Resource Development, and the Programs Manager’s office.

More about the host: Habitat for Humanity Malawi.

Fellowship location: Flexible as this is a remote position, with an expectation of at least one trip to a country outside the U.S. for a shadowing experience with a Habitat expert lasting a minimum of two weeks.
Number of fellowships available: Up to two.
Fellowship timeframe: Approximately 9 months, April-December 2024, averaging approximately 20 hours per week except during the two weeks of international trip when 40 hours a week are expected.

Main activities:

• Monitor ongoing responses by the Habitat network. 

• Research and compilation of information from response projects 2012-2023 to create a repository/catalogue of mini case studies.

• Review of programmatic guidance and training materials in support of humanitarian response programs.

• Support the identification of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response capacities and training needs of Habitat National Offices.

Deliverables:

• Advance the creation of knowledge products: Mini-case studies, programmatic guidance, training packages, systematization of knowledge.

• Documentation related to the assessment of the Habitat National Offices’s capacity and training needs, with specific details on the product to be identified at a later stage.

• Successful fulfillment of orientation training requirements prior to the deployment phase.

Significant study in one of the following preferred disciplines:

• City, urban, environmental or regional planning.

• Architecture or architectural engineering.

• Civil or environmental engineering.

• Land policy and planning or land management.

• International or development studies.

• Humanities.

• Social studies.

Language and skills requirements: Proficiency in the English language and excellent English composition and writing skills. Basic to intermediate Spanish desirable.

Accommodation and additional support: The fellow should be flexible and available on short notice in case of an international trip is needed during their fellowship program. Accommodation and logistical support for the field trip will be arranged in coordination with the Habitat National Office at a later stage.

Networking and learning opportunities: The fellowship provides valuable networking and learning opportunities for the fellow. Tasks include researching, contacting Habitat national organizations for content, collaborating on publication designs with communications staff and reviewing/editing existing documentation. This experience connects the fellow with leading experts in humanitarian shelter and settlements globally.

More about the host: Habitat for Humanity International