Consultant AI-Powered Housing Systems Initiative

Requisition Number

10579BR

Posting Description

Almost a quarter of the world's population lives in substandard shelter, impacting their health, livelihoods, and their children's education. Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) operates through a federated network of independent National Organizations (NOs) and branches as well as partnerships in more than 70 countries around the world. HFHI also has an expansive network of affiliates within the United States, serving over 1,000 communities with adequate and affordable housing. HFHI hosts its international headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Over the last year, HFHI has developed a consolidated methodology to assess housing ecosystems that should allow for greater consistency and quality programming across the network. This methodology is based on existing literature on housing, HFHI’s own experience, and consultation with a wide range of experts on systems assessments and housing systems change. HFHI has tested using artificial intelligence (AI) to power components of this methodology including secondary and qualitative data analysis, including summarizing and analysing recordings.

Building on this experience, HFHI is launching an initiative to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and facilitated learning to streamline often duplicative strategic inputs, contextual analyses, and program design processes while at the same time enhancing the quality of program design and implementation. This initiative aims to reduce the cost and complexity of assessments, enhance Habitat NO ownership of systemic strategies, and position HFHI as a global thought leader in housing systems.

Scope of Work

Project Management & Coordination

* Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of the consultancy including through an analysis of peer organizations on how they are applying AI to achieve similar goals

* Conduct a detailed analysis of the alignment among HFHI tools and approaches

* Coordinate across Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), Office of Strategy Realization (OSR), Research & Learning, Area Office, and NO teams

* Ensure timely delivery of milestones and alignment with HFHI’s strategic goals

* Contextual Analysis & Sector Deep Dives

* Develop guidelines to create, review, and revise AI-generated contextual analyses

* Oversee AI-generated contextual analyses in pilot countries, including a deep dive into the housing finance and market systems, land systems, relevant regulatory frameworks, and other domains using existing housing market and financial systems studies as a mode

* Develop guidelines for conducting “deep dives” into key aspects of housing systems using qualitative and quantitative field research, overcoming biases which may occur due to limited availability of training data from marginalized and under-represented communities / regions

Facilitated Learning & Capacity Building

* Develop facilitation guidelines based in part on TCIS’ Housing Studio, a program aimed at increasing systems and design thinking capabilities within the HFHI network

* Provide guidance to facilitators leading workshops to validate and interpret AI-generated analyses, including the development of value network analyses, customer/constituent journey mapping and segmentation,

* Build capacity of HFHI staff to engage with AI tools and systemic approaches

Intervention Design & Implementation

* Develop facilitation guidelines for design sprints with key stakeholders to co-design “action research” interventions

* Collaborate with TCIS’ Housing Finance Systems team to design and test AI-powered tools with financial institutions to support housing finance product development, risk assessment and credit scoring models.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

* Support development of MEAL frameworks for action research pilots

* Use AI tools to analyse qualitative and quantitative data generated through deep dives and other processes

* Document learnings, cost savings, and process efficiencies

Key Deliverables

* The Inception Report is due in Month 1 and includes a review of relevant processes, proposed revisions, and a work plan to be tested in at least two countries. This deliverable accounts for 20% of the total payment.

* The Context Analysis Guidelines and Report are due in Month 3. They provide guidance for conducting AI-powered context analyses and include draft reports. This deliverable represents 10% of the payment.

* The Deep Dive Guidelines, due in Month 4, offer instructions for conducting AI-powered deep dives into key housing systems, including housing finance systems. This also accounts for 10% of the payment.

* The Facilitation Toolkit is scheduled for Month 6. It includes facilitation plans for workshops that support the validation and interpretation of AI outputs, revised based on testing. This deliverable makes up 20% of the payment.

* The Design Sprint Guidelines, due in Month 7, provide facilitation guidance for design sprints with key stakeholders, revised based on testing. This contributes 10% to the payment.

* The Housing Finance Toolkit is expected in Month 9. It includes facilitation guidelines for design sprints with financial institutions, revised based on testing. This deliverable accounts for 10% of the payment.

* Finally, the Final Report is due in Month 12. It includes a review of action research interventions, an impact assessment, cost analysis, and a roadmap for scalability. This final deliverable represents 20% of the total payment.

Safeguarding and Data Protection

Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Data Protection: The contractor will be required to abide by Habitat for Humanity International’s data protection and security policy during the assignment period.

Period of Performance

The contract period is from November 1, 2025, to October 15, 2026, with a maximum value of $85,000 for professional fees. Any travel or other expenses will be reimbursed based on actuals.

Qualifications

Required

* Extensive project management experience in housing and/or housing finance sectors, including working with teams to understand local housing systems and key systems thinking concepts and practices

* Demonstrated experience applying AI tools and their application in development contexts, including experience leading research on housing systems using AI and leveraging local knowledge in a hybrid format

* Strong background in systems thinking, stakeholder engagement, and participatory facilitation, including experience designing and leading workshops or co-creation processes.

* Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and capacity building of local teams around housing, finance, and/or systems thinking

* Excellent communication, coordination, and reporting skills, with a track record of working across diverse teams and organizational levels

* Master’s degree in international development or related field

* Experience working with international NGOs or multilateral organizations

Preferred

Familiarity and experience with the Habitat for Humanity network, including working directly with Habitat National Offices

Interested individual consultant applicants should submit a CV and cover letter detailing relevant similar experience to and by October 20, 2025 . Any inquiries regarding the assignment can be submitted to the same.

Function

Housing and Shelter, International Programs, Program Management, Strategy, US Programs

Position Category

Consultant

Position Type

Consultancy