Sustainable Recovery and Housing Expert (SRHE)

Job description: Sustainable Recovery and Housing Expert (SRHE) Location: Kyiv, Ukraine Reports to: Executive Director Europe
Contract of employment: initial 3-month contract (as a probationary period), followed by an extension to 6-month fix-term contract
Hello Hello! So you’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here. When you Join Alight, you’ll find… A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us. A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it. An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services.
If you are looking to be part of a living, breathing, ever-changing organization full of disrupters and doers, then read on!
We are proud to work on borderless teams. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and specifically encourage members of refugee, immigrant, or other displaced communities to join us.

The Role

The main responsibility of the Sustainable Recovery and Housing Expert (SRHE) is to care for the people & engagement function of our growing team in Ukraine. Alight’s Ukraine-based operation is responding to displacement caused by the invasion of Ukraine. The program will support displaced people and responding organizations to do the doable, guide newly displaced, and create safe havens for safety and healing.

About Alight:

At Alight, we are dedicated to standing alongside displaced communities, co-creating programs that not only address immediate needs but also foster a sense of dignity, wellness, and belonging. Our commitment to mental health and the well-being of individuals affected by displacement in Ukraine and Poland is unwavering. We believe in the transformative power of creating spaces that offer safety and peace, turning houses into homes where individuals and families can thrive.

Job Summary:

The Sustainable Recovery and Housing Expert plays a critical role in fulfilling Alight’s mission in Kharkiv, focusing on reconstructing homes and communities. This position is about more than just (re)building structures; its about creating environments where individuals feel safe and at peace. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the local context, fostering active community engagement, and implementing sustainable recovery solutions. Through strategic partnerships and the integration of mental health support into housing projects, this role is pivotal in crafting spaces that encapsulate the essence of safety and peace.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead with empathy, conducting in-depth analyses of local needs to design programs that encapsulate the essence of safety and peace. Ensure that the reconstruction efforts are rooted in the desires and experiences of the community, transforming structures into sanctuaries of comfort and security.
• Actively involve the community in every step of the project, from planning to implementation. Work closely with community leaders and members to ensure that the reconstruction plans are reflective of the communitys collective vision for their homes, embodying preferences, cultural practices, and the intrinsic value of peace and safety.
• Employ local building methods and materials that are not only environmentally sustainable but also culturally resonant, supporting the restoration of local architectural heritage.
• Emphasize designs that contribute to the feeling of safety and peace within the community.
• Integrate mental health and psychosocial support elements into housing projects, recognizing the critical role of the living environment in promoting well-being and the sense of safety and peace.
• Forge partnerships with local and international organizations to support project outcomes that prioritize sustainable, safe, and peaceful living conditions.
• Coordinating and monitoring actions of the subcontracted parties participating in the project- liaising with any emerging subcontractor: construction companies, artists/designers, suppliers.
• Liaise with external stakeholders (partners, donors, and local authorities) and represent Alight in the relevant working groups & coordination meetings.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, or related fields, emphasizing sustainable and culturally sensitive design.
• Demonstrated experience in participatory project planning and implementation, particularly in environments requiring sensitivity to community needs for safety and peace.
• Proficient in community engagement and co-creation processes, valuing the input and partnership of community members in creating solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of MHPSS principles and their practical application in creating spaces that support psychological recovery and foster a sense of safety and peace.
• Excellent leadership, partnership-building, and communication skills, with a strong commitment to incorporating community perspectives in program development.

What We Offer:

This position offers the opportunity to lead projects that do more than rebuild structures—they rebuild lives by creating homes that are safe havens of peace and comfort. By working closely with the communities of Kharkiv and employing sustainable, culturally informed, and participatory practices, you will play a key role in facilitating meaningful, long-lasting recovery efforts. Alight provides a dynamic and collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and the chance to significantly impact the well-being and safety of the communities we serve.