ShelterTech Platform and Portfolio Consultant

Almost a quarter of the world’s population lives in substandard shelter, affecting their health and livelihoods and their children’s education. Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has helped over 39 million people improve their shelter conditions, but the growing need exceeds what Habitat, governments, or philanthropy alone can address. The Terwilliger Center collaborates with local firms to enhance market-based solutions, recognizing that low-income families already rely on these markets for housing. Habitat seeks to exponentially increase its impact by improving systems for better housing.

Supported by the Terwilliger Center, ShelterTech is the leading platform for affordable housing innovation, identifying and scaling entrepreneurial solutions for low-income populations. The program offers funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, connecting startups with an ecosystem of investors, corporations, and experts. By providing access to critical resources and market opportunities, ShelterTech is poised to disrupt the affordable housing sector.

The Assignment:

After 6 years of implementing sheltertech programming, we seek a consultancy firm to evaluate the ShelterTech platform, focusing on the following areas:

Assess the ShelterTech implementation model:

• Review ShelterTech’s portfolio, including accelerators, awards, tracks, and catalytic funds, assessing effectiveness.
• Evaluate ShelterTech using a systems change approach, balancing TCIS’s impact goals with practical outcomes.
• Assess financial investment against the realized impact and influence.
• Identify lessons from other initiatives and best practices.

Define the sheltertech startup journey:

• Explore the journey of startups within ShelterTech, assessing innovation capacity and scalability.
• Evaluate how effectively ShelterTech has met startups’ expectations and addressed their needs.
• Measure ShelterTech’s impact on startups using metrics like revenue growth, user base expansion, and partnerships.

Review the internal operational setup:

• Review operational processes and ways of working within Habitat for Humanity, TCIS, and external partners.
• Assess the internal management and governance model, identifying gaps and suggesting improvements.
• Conduct a desk review of partner engagement, contractual agreements, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Evaluate ShelterTech’s relevance to other TCIS programs, identifying complementarities or conflicts.

Develop strategic recommendations:

• Provide recommendations for aligning solutions within TCIS for sheltertech companies, including the future of the Shelter Venture Fund.
• Clarify or update the change pathway by defining success for ShelterTech ventures, including criteria for growth and impact.
• Offer strategic advice on ShelterTech’s future direction, including alignment with the SVF.
• Define a future state of ShelterTech, including potential new initiatives, focus areas, and strategic priorities.

Timeline:
The consultant and TCIS will agree on a suitable timeline based on the final work plan. The target timeline is October-December 2024.

Deliverable 1: Work plan and outline: A detailed work plan and outline of the methodology, including key activities and timelines. (Due: October 15, 2024)

Deliverable 2: Draft Report and Presentation: A draft report summarizing preliminary findings, along with a presentation for feedback. (Due: November 15, 2024)

Deliverable 3: Final Impact and Model Evaluation Report: A comprehensive final report, including the impact evaluation, model review, and strategic recommendations. (Due: December 5, 2024)

Deliverable 4: Strategic Vision, Organizational Review, and Roadmap: A strategic roadmap including an assessment of internal management and governance, recommendations for improvement, and future directions for ShelterTech’s growth. Includes a final presentation to the oversight committee. (Due: December 20, 2024)

Consultancy Management:
The consultancy will be managed by the Associate Director, ShelterTech. Regular check-ins will ensure alignment with goals and address challenges. The Associate Director will coordinate meetings with the evaluation team and relevant TCIS staff, ensuring timely feedback and access to necessary resources.

Budget:
The consultancy budget is up to $50,000, covering all fees and travel expenses, including accommodation and transportation. Final deliverables are subject to approval by the oversight committee.

Qualifications:

Required:

Proven history of successfully conducting evaluations of innovation platforms, startup ecosystems, or similar programs, particularly within housing, social impact, or international development sectors.

Extensive experience in designing and implementing MEAL frameworks, focusing on impact assessment, systems change, and adaptive management.

Strong capabilities in qualitative and quantitative analysis, including ROI assessments, and synthesizing complex information into actionable insights.

Experience in providing strategic recommendations for program development and scaling, with a deep understanding of innovation ecosystems and market-based approaches to social challenges.

Expertise in global and regional housing market dynamics, including challenges related to affordable housing and shelter innovation.

Ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and efficiently manage resources.

Desirable:

Exceptional skills in engaging diverse stakeholders and producing high-quality, professional reports that drive decision-making.

Experience with Market Systems Development (MSD) programming or similar frameworks, particularly within housing or social impact sectors.

Experience working in multiple regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, with an understanding of unique market challenges.