Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Description

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Policy Officer £27,917 spot salary (rising to £29,386 after successful probation) plus generous benefits. Cardiff based. Community Housing Cymru is recruiting for a new Policy Officer to join a vibrant, newly reorganised team in a dynamic and quickly changing policy environment. We are looking for someone who can work across all policy areas but could also play a crucial role in focusing on the implications of welfare reform. Enthusiastic, flexible and resourceful, you will also have the ability to build effective relationships across sectors, communicate and negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, as well as experience of managing a varied workload in a pressurised environment. If you feel you have the passion, skills and experience to meet the needs of this post, we want to hear from you! Closing date: 9am 20th May Interviews: 9th June

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Policy Officer Background to the Post Community Housing Cymru is recruiting for a new Policy Officer to join a vibrant, newly reorganised team in a dynamic and quickly changing policy environment. It is an exciting time for Community Housing Cymru as we prepare for the 2016 National Assembly for Wales elections with our Homes for Wales campaign and lobby for key asks in our own manifesto. We have also launched our new Corporate Plan for 2016-2019 which has a focus on our members at the heart of all that we do. This post comes at a crucial time for the social housing sector in Wales which is facing increasing pressures in terms of budget cuts, potential rent reduction, regulation, welfare reform, Welsh language standards, governance and delivering more for less. The Policy Officer will play a crucial role in developing and promoting the social housing policy agenda through networking, horizon scanning, consultation responses, evidence gathering and promotion of policy positions. The Policy Officer will need to be flexible to work across all policy areas however it is anticipated that this post will play a crucial role in focussing on the implications of welfare reform on our members and tenants. This will include for example the impact of the capping of housing benefit to applicable Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, and the continued pressures on care and supported housing. You will ideally have experience in policy development and an understanding of the pressures faced by the sector; however the key attributes we are looking for is an individual that is enthusiastic, flexible and resourceful. You will also have the ability to build effective relationships across sectors, communicate and negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, as well as experience of managing a varied workload in a pressurised environment. If you feel you have the passion, skills and experience to meet the needs of this post, we want to hear from you! Closing date 9 am 20th May Interviews 9th June

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

How to Apply Many thanks for showing interest in the above post. You will find the following details in this job pack:   

Job description, person specification and information on terms and conditions. Application form. Equal opportunities form. This form will not be used at any stage of the recruitment process, and will be separated from your application form immediately on its receipt. Any information given on this form will remain confidential and will only be used for monitoring purposes to assess the effectiveness of our equal opportunities policy. Background information on the Group. Organisational structure.

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The completed application form and equal opportunities form must be returned, marked Private and Confidential – Policy Officer to: Borbala Martos Community Housing Cymru Group 2 Ocean Way Cardiff CF24 5TG Or emailed marked in the subject tab as Private and Confidential – Policy Officer to [email protected] by 9am 20th May. Please note, CVs will NOT be accepted. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 9th June at our Cardiff offices. We look forward to receiving your completed form in due course.

Yours Sincerely

Phillipa Knowles Director, Central Services

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Post:

Policy Officer

Grade

£27,917 spot salary rising to £29,386 after successful probation

Reports to:

Policy and Programmes Manager

Main Contacts: Housing Association Directors/Managers and Officers, AMs, MPs, Lords, Welsh Government, Political Advisors & Special Advisors, Local Authorities, Consultants, Third Sector Organisations, Welsh Council for Voluntary Action, Charter Institute of Housing, Welsh Tenants, Welsh Local Government Association, Shelter Cymru, Tai Pawb, Cymorth, and internal Policy, Communications, and Events teams. Key Objectives To deliver a high quality policy and information service for CHC (Community Housing Cymru) members by providing key intelligence and advice to support CHC’s strategic priorities as identified in the Corporate Plan. Responsibilities and Duties Policy                

To lead on policy work to support CHC’s strategic priorities as identified in the Corporate Plan. To promote, develop and support the services provided by our members. To support, attend, stimulate discussion and report on actions and outcomes from the CHC network/s allocated to the Policy Officer. To attend and contribute to discussions at other networks when required. To prepare, liaise with our members and co-ordinate consultation responses on relevant policy areas. To attend stakeholder meetings and represent and promote the work of CHC and contribute to discussions and make decisions on behalf of CHC. To undertake research and policy analysis using a range of methodologies. To have in-depth knowledge and understanding of housing policy issues, and keep up to date with the latest trends and developments across the UK. To identify and inform our members of good practice and opportunities. To be in regular communicate with our members to understand the issues they face and their experiences. To provide timely and accurate advice and information to our members as and when requested. To identify pieces of work, training or events that should be taken forward by CHC to support our members. To undertake research and instigate discussions with members on matters affecting the policy position of CHC. To work with the Public Affairs team to deliver appropriate lobbying campaigns. To Chair internal meetings, member meetings, and conference sessions as and when required. To speak publicly on behalf of CHC at external conferences and events. 5

Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Publications, Projects, Events and Reports    

To write briefing papers and reports for CHC management and our members on relevant policy matters. To write blogs or articles for CHC’s external communication including Cartref and Around the Houses. To regularly update the CHC website with relevant policy information for our members. To work with the Events team and colleagues to develop event programmes for CHC’s conferences, networks and training programmes.

Other    

To prioritise own time to maximise the quantity and quality of deliverables to meet the needs of our members. To maintain effective relationships with colleagues and work collaboratively through sharing expertise and developing team processes and protocols. To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as requested. To undertake learning and development to fulfil the needs of this post.

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Person Specification Essential

Desirable

Experience and Knowledge 

An understanding and interest in Welsh politics Knowledge of housing policy and wider issues affecting the  third sector Experience of working to tight targets and deadlines

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Experience of undertaking research projects

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Skills and Qualifications Educated to degree level or equivalent

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Experience of working in a policy environment

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Excellent written and oral communications skills

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Knowledge of welfare reform impacts on the social housing sector IT literate, familiar with all Microsoft packages (word  processing, spreadsheets, databases) Experience of using social media (Twitter, Facebook, Blogs)  Capacity to manage, interpret and present data to a wide range of audiences.

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Ability to work on several projects at any given time  Effective organisation skills with an ability to prioritise work  and successfully meet deadlines. The ability to network effectively.  Works well with people and has a proven track record of working as a team member, both on the same team and outside of the team. Welsh speaker and writer

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Personal Attributes and Other Good team player

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Methodical approach to work & a keen attention to detail

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Full current driving license and access to a car Willingness and ability to travel around Wales

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

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Location The post will be based at Community Housing Cymru’s offices in Cardiff. The post will require attending events and meeting our members across Wales and beyond so the ability to travel is essential. The post also requires an ability and willingness to undertake work outside normal office hours.

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Post

Policy Officer

Location

Based in Cardiff, but travel across Wales is expected, in addition to UK and occasionally Europe. £27,917 spot salary rising to £29,386 after successful six month probation plus generous package of benefits 35 hours – but occasionally required to work out of office hours to attend events/meetings. 25 days, rising by one day for each completed year of service, to a maximum of 30 days and all public holidays.

Pay Hours Holidays

Probation Supervision

Four additional days off during Christmas and New Year holidays. and Six months.

Gym

£25 subsidy / month.

Cash Health Plan

Paid for cash health plan (Simply Health).

Notice Period

After 6 month probation, 3 months.

Flexi Time Pension Learning Development Offices

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Flexible system in operation. Work between 7am – 7pm with no core hours. Social Housing Pension Scheme Defined contributions scheme. Employer contributions between 3% – 5%. and Excellent budget provision for L&D within the Group.

Modern offices with onsite car parking.

Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Background Information Our Mission The Community Housing Cymru Group exists to enable housing associations to work effectively and flourish in Wales. On 12 March 2009, CHC obtained charitable status. Our objectives are to:  

Promote the voluntary housing sector in Wales Promote the relief of financial hardship through the sector's provision of low cost social housing Provide services, education, training, information, advice and support to providers of such housing in Wales Encourage and facilitate the provision, construction, improvement and management of low cost social housing by housing associations in Wales.

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We are currently finalising our corporate plan which will take the organisation forward over the next three years. Our aim is that, by 2019, we will be recognised as an influential voice on housing issues in Wales, be valued by our members and respected by stakeholders, and that we will have removed barriers for our members to enable them to do more. Our 2016-2019 strategic themes are: 1

To enable members to deliver more affordable homes for the people of Wales.

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To enable members to create strong communities where people want to live and can achieve their aspirations.

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To support members to be independent organisations to deliver on their ambitions.

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To run an effective and efficient organisation.

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Group Chief Executive Stuart Ropke Member of Senior Management Group Directors Team Director Policy/Deputy Chief Executive Clarissa Corbisiero-Peters

Director Resources& OD Phillipa Knowles Assistant Director Finance & IT Steve Evans

Assistant Director Communications & Members Services Edwina O’Hart Head of Business Development Paul Langley

Member Services & Business Development Manager Adele Harries-Nicholas

Communications Manager Bethan Davies

Graphic Designer Chris Lamb

Admin Assistant Borbala Martos

Events & Business Learning & Central Officer Events Officer Services Rhian Jennifer Officer Robinson Horton Sue Williams 1 Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

PR & Media Officer 21hrs Sarah Harris

Policy & Programmes Manager Hayley MacNamara

Health& Housing Policy Officer Carly Dix

Policy Officer Vacant

Policy Officer Selina Moyo

Public Affairs Manager Aaron Hill

Policy Officer Hugh Russell

Group Executive Officer Claire McDougall

Research Assistant Liam Townsend

Working at the CHC, as described by staff is:

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack

Community Housing Cymru: Staff Values 1

Accountable - We take responsibility and ownership for our decisions and actions. How?  

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Through transparency, we will take courage in our convictions. We demonstrate the ability to learn from experiences

Innovative - We support an environment that encourages and enables individuals to think and work creatively. How?  

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To generate new ideas that lead to improvement Constructively challenge existing systems and processes to achieve better outcomes.

Respectful - We promote equality, diversity and integrity through valuing and supporting people. How?  

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We will treat everyone as individuals according to their needs We value individuals and their contribution, and support them to fulfil their potential.

Collaborative - We work together to deliver high quality services that build sustainable communities and makes a positive difference to people’s lives. How?  

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Promoting team work and engaging in mutually beneficial partnerships. Use effective communication both internally and externally

Empowerment - We ensure that individuals and organisations have the confidence, support, knowledge and skills to maximise performance. How?  

We will be proactive in developing our own skills and knowledge. We encourage individuals to manage risks.

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Policy Officer Community Housing Cymru Job Pack