Policy Officer
Salary
London: £35,850- £40,975pa + benefits
National: £31,750- £36,875 pa + benefits
Location: London, Bristol or Manchester
Contract: Permanent
With the challenge from Governmentfor the sector to dramatically increase housing supply and home ownership, this represents a very exciting time to be joining the Federation’s policy team. Housing has never been a higher priority and there is significant opportunity to really influence the shape and functioning of the housing association sector. We offer an excellent package and the opportunity to develop and promulgate high-quality policy that will make a valuable contribution towards solving the housing crisis.
As member of the Policy and Research Directorate, you will need to display a keen interestand sound understanding of the key issues facing housing associationsin order to contribute to our thinking on policy and enable us to positively influence the decisions made by Government, the housing regulator and other public authorities. You will also play a key role in ensuring that housing associations continue to remain resilient businesses that thrive in the future.
More specifically, ideally you will be sufficiently numerate to, for example,lead on the development of aspects of our submissions to government to support housing supply, help the Federation to understand the implications of increasingly complex financing arrangements or influence the Financial Reporting Council on accounting standards.
If you think this sounds like you, we would be eager to hear from you.
Closing date: Sunday 25 October 2015
Interview date: Tuesday 10November 2015
Dear Applicant,
Many thanks for your interest in the advertised Policy Officer post.
The National Housing Federation is the voice of affordable housing in England. We believe everyone should have the home they need at a price they can afford. That’s why we represent the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing.
As member of the Policy and Research Directorate, you will need todisplay a keen interestand sound understanding of the key issues facing housing associations, in order to contribute to our thinking on policy and enable us to positively influence the decisions made by Government, the housing regulator and other public authorities. You will also play a key role in ensuring that housing associations continue to remain resilient businesses that thrive in the future.
More specifically, ideally you will be sufficiently numerate to, for example,develop policy solutions that will support housing associations to build new homes and invest in existing stock, help the Federation to understand the implications of increasingly complex financing arrangements or influence the Financial Reporting Council on accounting standards.
This is an extremely exciting time to join our team. Housing has never been more high profileand there is a key opportunity for housing associations to play a central role to build the homes we desperately need. Equally, our sector is responding to a series of challenges presented by recent Government announcements.
We are looking for an ambitious, outgoing and dynamic person to take up this vital role. Although the focus of some of the work may be financial, you will work closely and collaborativelywith colleagues across the whole of housing policy, research, communicationsand external affairs. You will also provide technical support tothe Commercial Directorate in developing content for a series of well-established finance events they host annually.
The role especially demands that you build and maintain positive, professional working relationships with Federation members and with other external stakeholders, to develop policy and best practice to optimise the operating environment of housing associations and ensure theyremain resilient businesses. You will be self-motivated and innovative and have the curiosity and determination to tackle and take advantage of the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
You will also have excellent communication skills, including an ability to present often complex findings to a range of audiences and to have the capacity to make an impact on policy and the wider housing debate.
We offer an excellent package and the opportunity to develop and promulgate high-quality policy that will make a valuable contribution towards solving the housing crisis.
If you think this sounds like you, we would be eager to hear from you.
Yours sincerely
Joseph Carr
Policy Leader
Policy Officer – how to apply
The closing date for this application is Sunday 25 October 2015.
The Federation runs a competency-based approach to our appointment process. In the application form please explain why working for the Federation, and in this post in particular, interests you and demonstrate how you meet the following essential competenciesfor the post:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Collaborating with Others
- People Leadership
- Delivering Results
- Drive and Personal Effectiveness
- Technical Expertise and Knowledge
- Analysis and Decision-Making
Please refer to the role profile for full details
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate all competencies relating to this role.
Role Profile
Job Title: / Policy OfficerDirectorate: / Policy and Research
Reporting to: / Policy Leader
Location: / Head Office, Lion Court, 25 Procter Street, London WC1V 6NY
Grade: / 4
Overall Purpose
Policy Officers support the delivery of the Federation’s business plan. This involves engaging the Federation membership to create high quality, relevant, evidence based policy and practice alongside informing and supporting housing associations to respond to a changing policy and legislative environment. Policy Officers have responsibility for delivering workstreams and projects within the overall direction of Policy Leaders.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities for this post include:
- High quality policy development on a range of issues including rent setting, welfare reform, housing supply, finance policy and regulation
- Liaison with sector experts and negotiation with Government and regulatory authorities to securean operating environment appropriate to the needs of the housing association sector
- Ensuring our policy work is informed by the views and experiences of our members, for example, by attending events to inform members about key developments and gathering intelligence about issues and feeding these back into the Federation
- The production, dissemination and presentation of finance policy briefings to housing associations on key topics
- Work with the Federation’s commercial teams to deliver value added services to members and contribute to the generation of revenues. This includes input to the design and delivery of conferences and seminars e.g. the annual Finance Conference, and key publications e.g. the board members induction pack
- Management of the tender process for contracting technical support to the Federation by commercial partners in key areas of policy
- Provision of excellent customer service by responding to requests for information and advice and internal reporting of market intelligence in an appropriate and timely manner
- Other areas of policy agreed from time to time – to ensure we can respond flexibly to a changing environment and the needs of our members
Competencies
E = Essential
People FocusCompetencies
Communicating and Influencing
Communicating information clearly, accurately and concisely both verbally and in writing. Using appropriate style and content in communication to effectively influence and persuade others.
E - Builds clear, persuasive and evidence-based arguments about complex issues to promote particular viewpoints.
Collaborating with others
Building and maintaining positive, professional and collaborative working relationships with colleagues throughout the Federation, with members and with other external stakeholders. Valuing the contribution of others in order to build trust and share decision-making to effectively pursue organisational goals. Working with others (within the Federation both nationally and locally, through all Directorates, and outside the Federation) in a flexible and supportive way. Demonstrating respect for all and awareness of equality and diversity both inside and outside of the Federation.
E - Actively seeks information, resources and support from people locally and nationally and in other Directorates in order to pursue Federation goals.
E - Has awareness of needs and concerns of members and partners and responds to these positively.
People Leadership
Inspiring, supporting, motivating and developing people. Maintaining exemplary values regarding equality and diversity when managing others.
E - Consults with individuals to set clear and relevant targets which reflect the team and organisational goals.
E - Translates the Federation’s strategic vision (e.g. the business plan) into a clear and comprehensible team direction.
Achieving Results
Competencies
Delivering Results
Taking responsibility for the achievement of goals and the delivery of results. Ensuring that quality standards are met in all areas of work. Paying attention to detail. Considering value for money and resources throughout all activities. Prioritising activities as things change and managing workload in order to effectively deliver set goals and targets in a timely manner. Understanding when organisational priorities change and how that impacts on own workload and that of others. Responding quickly and effectively to new demands and priorities.
E- Adopts clear and systematic processes for managing the performance and delivery of own and others’ work.
Drive and Personal Effectiveness
High levels of energy, motivation and tenacity. Determination to achieve goals set by self and others. Adaptability and positive outlook when priorities change. Positive and proactive approach to continuous improvement and self-development. Encouraging others to perform effectively during change and providing support and encouragement when challenges arise. Role modelling a positive, energetic and driven approach to the goals and activities of the Federation.
E - Demonstrates active support and enthusiasm for the strategic goals of the Federation.
E - Visibly values a positive and energetic approach to work.
Technical Expertise and Knowledge
Competencies
Technical Expertise and Knowledge
E - Ability to analyse and understand investment, finance and performance data including the use of spreadsheets for analysis and interrogation.
Desirable:
Comfortable with interpreting a wide variety of financial information and engage with financial specialists to develop workable policy solutions.
- An excellent ability to communicate (both orally and verbally) often complex policy issues and financial considerations to non-specialists and to a range of audiences. An ability to debate and discuss authoritatively and with evidence to colleagues, members, stakeholders and to wider audiences including at a senior level.
An existing awareness of the issues that form the operational context for housing policy and housing associations, or the proven ability to develop the required level of awareness.
Setting Direction
Competencies
Analysis and Decision-Making
Analysing information effectively and with insight. Using sound and balanced judgement to draw conclusions from data and to make effective decisions. Generating logical, viable and creative solutions to problems following systematic assessment of relevant options.
E - Accurately analyses complex and detailed information in a timely manner.
E - Able to summarise complex information effectively to aid decision-making.
.
Seeing the Big Picture
Focusing contributions and efforts on activities which support core Federation goals. Maintaining an overview at all times of the wider context of goals and aims. Seeing the organisation as a whole and actively considering all aspects of the Federation’s work when making decisions. Consistent and visible consideration of the over-arching aims of the organisation as a thread running through all planning, decision-making and action.
Seeks to understand how services and activities throughout the Federation mesh together to produce value and achieve outcomes for members.
Places higher emphasis and priority on activities which support core Federation goals and de-prioritises non-core activities.
Planning
Generating clear and realistic work and project plans. Accurately considering resources and time required to achieve goals. Setting goals for teams and individuals which reflect the overall business plan and organisational goals of the Federation. Developing medium and long-term strategy based on a deep understanding of the political and environmental context of the Federation and the implications for its core aims and vision.
Accurately understands the time and resource requirements necessary for achievement of team goals; predicts periods of overload or slack within the team.
Date :…………………………..
Signed:…………………………..
Line Manager:Joseph Carr
Terms and Conditions
Salary
London: £35,850- £40,975pa + benefits
National: £31,750- £36,875 pa + benefits
All new staff to the Federation will be appointed on a spot salary within the salary scale for their grade. The normal expectation is that this will be at the bottom of the scale. This may be varied where the successful candidate is already earning above the minimum of the scale.
Contract
Permanent Contract
Hours of Work
This role is a 35-hour week. Attendance at Federation conferences, party conferences and a certain amount of evening meetings will be required including some overnight stays.
Probationary Period
This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.
Annual Leave
The holiday entitlement is 30 days including three days paid holiday leave taken between Christmas Day and New Year's Day inclusive, public holidays are in addition.
Occupational Sick Pay
The entitlement to sick pay is service-related, starting with one month's full pay during the first year of service and rising to six months full pay after 5 years’ service.
Pension Scheme
We offer a membership of a defined contribution pension scheme with the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS). The minimum employee contribution rate is currently 1%. The Federation’s contribution rate is 2% higher than the employee up to a maximum Federation contribution of 8%.
To find out more about SHPS website, where further details can be obtained.
Private Health Care
The Federation will pay for you to become a member of the Simply Health scheme, allowing you to benefit from early diagnosis of medical conditions, access to surgery and complementary medicine e.g. physiotherapy. You may also opt to pay for your partner and/or children to become members too, and take out dental and optical cover.
Child Care Vouchers
We offer a childcare voucher scheme to employees with childcare responsibilities. This is a salary sacrifice scheme and is a tax efficient way of paying for childcare.
Interest Free Loan – Season ticket
We provide interest free loans to pay for annual season tickets for travel to and from work.
Cycle to Work scheme
We offer a tax free cycle to work scheme, which allows savings on the cost of a new bike, clothing and accessories for employees wishing to cycle to work for all or part of their journey.
Place of Work
London. Travel across England will be required.
Learning and Development
The National Housing Federation is looking for a candidate, with the appropriate skills and experience to fulfil this role. In return we provide an excellent working environment. The Federation has an organisational development programme which provides individuals with training and support to develop their skills. We also actively encourage individuals to participate in corporate project groups and development centres. We support individuals to undertake professional development and personal study, whilst encouraging a culture that supports a work-life balance for its staff.
Behavioural Standards
Carry out the work of this post in line with Federation policies, statutory requirements and responsibilities, corporate and professional standards including the Federation’s competencies framework.
Health and Safety
All staff at the National Housing Federation must give full support to its health and safety policy. We seek from every member of staff active co-operation with those responsible for the effective planning, organisation and monitoring of our health and safety.
Equality and Diversity
The Federation is strongly committed to developing a positive organisational culture which values people from all sections of the community and the contribution each individual can make to our work.