Allocations Officer

About the Role

This role is part of the Council's Housing Allocations Team and involves delivering the housing allocation scheme, ensuring fair and efficient allocation of social and affordable housing in North Northamptonshire. Responsibilities include assessing applications, providing guidance to applicants, liaising with stakeholders, maintaining accurate records, contributing to policy implementation, upholding customer service standards, and supporting the team to achieve performance targets.

• Full Time (37 Hours Per Week, Monday to Friday)

• Investigate, interview, analyse, and respond to customer enquiries in writing, verbally, or in person and take any appropriate action necessary.
• Ensure accurate, comprehensive records of all interactions with applicants and partner agencies, and keep files maintained to a high standard to aid monitoring, decision-making and effective case management.
• Attend training and keep knowledge updated on any IT software required for the role, including participation in upgrades and user testing.
• Assist in the production of information leaflets, delivery of public events, and ensure the service information is kept up to date on the customer housing portal and Council website.
• Work closely with the Housing Options Team to assist with the effective prevention and resolution of homelessness.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships and effective communication with partner registered providers, private landlords, Council services and other stakeholders involved in housing needs, allocations, lettings and management of social housing.
• Ensure housing applicants experience a seamless and well‑coordinated allocations service.
• Assist in training internal and external partners, voluntary and statutory agencies.
• Ensure accurate collection of data and information to assist performance monitoring, forecast future need for the service and implement agreed service improvements.
• Contribute to reviews (including consultations) of the housing allocations scheme and associated procedures.
• Maintain professional competence and a working knowledge of housing allocations legislation, guidance and developments.
• Comply with the Council's full range of policies and procedures including the Council's housing allocations scheme.
• Represent the Council on various meetings, forums and multi‑agency panels, as required, and ensure that the information required to assist those meetings is communicated in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and efficiency of the scheme and service.
• Provide support to the Senior Housing Allocations Officer, Housing Allocations Team Leader and Housing Allocations Manager by undertaking other tasks to enable the efficient and high‑quality delivery of the housing allocations service, as and when required.

• Demonstrable experience in a housing‑related role within a local authority, housing association or voluntary organisation.
• Knowledge of housing legislation, particularly Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 as amended.
• Experience working efficiently in partnership with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience delivering measurable improvements in service delivery.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload whilst being an effective problem solver.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to speak English fluently.
• Ability to prepare and present reports, compile and interpret complex information.
• Excellent IT skills, including web‑based software, Excel and Word, and willingness to undertake further training as required.
• Ability to relate to individuals at all levels of the Council and other organisations, including Members, and to be an effective, motivating and supportive team player.
• Experience in research and consultation exercises and interpreting statistical information for performance management purposes.
• Experience in effectively managing and overseeing service improvement projects.
• Ability to work under pressure and public scrutiny and deliver results to tight deadlines.
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills and drive and commitment to achieve positive…