Development & Policy Officer

Our Client is seeking a professional who has experience in the Development of policy, preparation of guidance notes in relation to the Department for Work and Pensions circulars and Statutory Instruments that address the legal and financial issues in the following areas:

• Housing Benefit Administration
• Housing Benefit Fraud
• Housing Benefit Subsidy

The post holder will be expected to lead the council in keeping abreast and responding to developments and legislative amendments in all areas that affect RAB. Interpret policy, legislation and guidance and be responsible for written guidance to RAB on all aspects of council policy and procedure including general administration and ICT, ensuring all work carried out conforms to corporate standards.

You will also be responsible for ensuring all members of RAB are aware of policies and procedures affecting benefit subsidy and safeguarding the councils subsidy claim with in excess of £100m per annum. A key aspect of this role will involve liaising with the subsidy manager to identify areas where the administration is failing to maximise subsidy and address any such issue identified.

You will be required to take the lead in assessment and management of the operational impact of legislative changes, guidance, caselaw, council policy and procedures in consultation with operational managers and key stakeholders including:
Internal Audit and Counter Fraud, Audit Commission, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, housing providers, whilst also conducting or undertaking learning needs analysis using all available data sources and undertake competency-based assessments of individual members of staff when required for the purposes of determining their level of competency in a particular function.

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate that they can design and maintain learning materials relating to policy and procedures including administration, ICT and RAB induction and deliver learning, support, guidance and coaching which ensures that staff maintain a proficient knowledge of legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to RAB.

Exerience of delivering induction programmes for all new staff within the service whilst establishing and maintaining records of learning for a large local authority is essential.

This role will be remote predominately with office attendance required once a month.

The contract will initially be for 3 to 6 months.

Eden Brown Synergy is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.