Praxis Job Description

Head of Housing and Service Development

£39,975- £40,887

Praxis core purpose is to provide help and support for newly arrived and long- settled migrants to ensure that they are able to live in safety, meet their essential human needs and overcome the barriers they face to integrate, develop and thrive in the UK. We seek to challenge exclusion, build solidarity and improve policy and service provision by drawing on the lived experience of migrants and by supporting migrant communities for their voices to be heard.

Job purpose:

Working as part of the Senior Management Team you will lead on all key aspects of housing to co-ordinate and develop Praxis’s work in providing accommodation and support for vulnerable migrants including those with ‘no recourse to public funds’ to increase housing provision.

You will play a strategic role in raising awareness of migrant homelessness and destitution finding solutions in partnership with statutory, voluntary and faith groups.

Leading in housing and working closely with the Service leads to develop our advice, interpreting and other operational services.You will develop services across operations, implementing a service development plan to improve the delivery of existing services, writing funding proposals, bids or grants and looking at viable commercial business models to develop service provisions across operations, including deputising for the CEO as required.

You will provide clear leadership and direction in line with the vision and purpose of Praxis.You will ensure we provide an effective operational framework to deliver our NRPF housing complying with all regulatory and contractual requirements and good practice.

Reporting lines:

Post holder reports to the CEO

Staff reporting to this post:

All staff and volunteers working within the housing team and Service leads in operations

Key responsibilities:

Housing management;

  • To take lead responsibility for the review and updating the organisations housing strategy project plan to address migrant homelessness and destitution. Agree and set targets with the CEO for all housing related work across Praxis.
  • Oversee the effective project management of the implementation ofnew housing services both Praxis residential properties and provided by partner organisations, including all building risk assessments of properties, lease and service agreements and financial agreements.
  • To ensure that objectives are in place in line with the Strategic plan and that they are reflected in the Housing Strategy and operational work plan.
  • To work with London Hosting and others to ensure effective recruitment and support for volunteer hosts and careful matching processes to ensure successful host placements.
  • To ensure the delivery of a clear marketing plan to local boroughs to promote the housing strategy across London boroughs to ensure referrals to the housing projects.
  • To be aware of all internal quality standards, external regulation and health and safety requirements.
  • To ensure clear performance data is collected to evidence the benefit of our services and ensure the clear delivery of outcomes as required by the contracts or funders.
  • To encourage and support innovation and to contribute to the development and implementation of relevant policy and procedures around housing and service delivery
  • To ensure all voids are turned around quickly, to a high standard and all maintenance issues are resolved between Praxis and the Landlord.
  • To actively manage diversity and promote equality and service user involvement to promote people’s rights in all aspects of service delivery.
  • Responsible for notifying senior management of any accidents which may affect the services or reputation of the organisation.
  • Ensure Praxis have effective policies and procedures including risk assessments to manage properties in compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice.
  • Liaise with and maintain a good relationship with social landlord partners, particularly Commonweal Housing.

Growth and development:

  • Develop a range of accommodation sources especially the development of “hosting” arrangements and review and develop policies and systems, increasing the supply of hosts and ensuring appropriate arrangements between hosts and guests. Supporting a network of hosts and hosting events.
  • Mobilise faith groups and communities with a charitable ethos to extend resources at community level for people who are destitute and vulnerable, to raise awareness and practical support. Working with RSL and other providers to develop longer term sustainable solutions to the problem.
  • To play a lead role in the development of the pan-London Street Legal Service for homeless migrants in partnership with homelessness agencies, law centres and Pathway.
  • Promote the work of the project to potential donors and funders, particularly the hardship fund through liaison with welfare charities and individual donors.
  • To identify opportunities for business growth in operations, including working with colleagues to market, sell and develop interpreting, advice and training services across London.
  • To develop bids/ tenders and funding proposals in partnership with external providers to ensure the growth of the housing and support services for homeless vulnerable migrants.

Strategic Partnerships;

  • Ensure Praxis is established as a thought leader in this area and make representation to think tanks, researchers, policy makers, politicians and opinion formers to establish productive and meaningful working relationships to improve support and services to vulnerable migrants.
  • Develop collaborative approaches and partnerships to address migrant homelessness and destitution at a practical and policy level.
  • Facilitate and lead on forums, seminars, training and events as appropriate to promote the work of Praxis and responses to migrant homelessness/ destitution.

Leadership:

  • To work as part of the Senior Management Team to deliver the Corporate Plan and aims of the organisation in line with our required competencies and behaviours.
  • To comply with all organisational policies including grievance, disciplinary, sickness absence, health and safety, child protection and vulnerable adults.
  • To ensure regular and effective communication with the Senior Management Team, CEO and Board of Directors.
  • To work with individual staff to identify training through the appraisal process
  • Have the ability to gain credibility and respect from others in organisations
  • To be aware of and introduce relevant best practice from the housing sector.
  • Work with colleagues in Praxis in maintaining its commitment to human rights, community development and best practice in working with vulnerable migrants.
  • Undertake other duties which may be required by Praxis from time to time.

CV = Curriculum Vitae (Chronological)

EO = Expression of Interest

I = Interview

Person Specification / Essential or Desirable / Assessment Method
Education and qualifications
A relevant qualification in one of the following disciplines: housing, community work, advice giving or social work
University level education / D
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CV
Knowledge
  • Knowledge of housing and homelessness law, policy and issues
  • Day-to-day experiences of refugee and migrants living in the UK and the systems and procedures which assist them including Legislation and public service provisions.
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Experience
  • Minimum of two years’ experience working at a senior level in the housing sector
  • Experience of setting up and promoting new projects/ services
  • Experience of bidding, tendering or writing funding proposals
  • Experience of partnership working and managing key stakeholder relationships
  • Experience of managing teams/ staff
  • Housing Management of accommodation and liaison with occupants
  • Working with refugee and migrant communities in the UK or other marginalised group
  • Working in the voluntary or community sector
  • Experience of writing board reports or strategies.
  • Drafting and implementing internal policies/procedures and operational plans
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EO + I
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Skills
  • Ability to problem solve and manage conflict
  • Ability to plan and organise own work and meet deadlines, contract objectives/ targets
  • Ability to deal with challenging or disruptive behaviour
  • Ability to work as an effective team member
  • Ability to relate well and communicate with a diverse group of people
  • Presentations and public speaking
  • Ability to identify needs and formulate an effective response
  • Ability to communicate to an advanced level in spoken and written English
  • Ability to work competently with Microsoft Office ICT packages
  • Ability to speak a community language
  • Demonstrate awareness of cultural and community diversity
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Other
  • Commitment to working in a inter-cultural environment
  • Commitment to Praxis aims, values and ethos
  • Commitment to maintaining client confidentiality and delivering a high quality professional service
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17/11/15