PRS Procurement Officer (Ex-Offenders)

About Us

The London Borough of Havering is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria as specified in the Job Profile will be guaranteed an interview.

Priority consideration on all advertised roles will be given to London Borough of Havering Redeployees.

The London Borough of Havering is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Please be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check will be required for any position with access to these groups under the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In addition, the Authority reserves the right  to request employees undertake a basic disclosure check (Disclosure Scotland) where required for the role this includes  anyone who has access to (or information obtained directly from) a government database, or has a GCSX account. These posts will be required to have a Basic Disclosure Scotland check as per the requirements of BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standards).

About the Job

This position requires an understanding of the challenges and complexities around homelessness today, the impact that homelessness has on families and single people, and has commitment to addressing housing issues and reducing homelessness.

The post holder:-

• will be responsible to acquire a sufficient supply of private sector accommodation to address and minimise homelessness in Havering for ex-offenders, providing accommodation of a suitable type, size and location to meet the requirements of clients in housing need.
• will support and secure affordable housing for those leaving prison or experiencing homelessness.  The role is incumbent of partnership working and the post holder should have experience of working with the probation service.
• will report to the Housing Supply Lead and will participate in strengthening the Councils role in the private housing sector to promote and operate accommodation for the ex-offenders initiative.  This funding is secured by Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for a fixed term period.
• will be responsible to develop effective marketing and procurement strategies to maximise the number of suitably affordable private rented accommodation available to the Council.
• will provide a high-profile single access point for all private housing options for people who want to rent, buy affordable housing products or need help to prevent them losing their home in the private sector.
• will provide advice, support and encouragement to landlords with homes to let and increase the number of landlords and letting agencies that work with the Housing Procurement Team.

About You

The post holder should have the following experience and skills:-

• Experience of working with private sector agents/landlords.
• Providing day-to-day delivery of the AfEO scheme aimed at tackling homelessness and meeting local housing need for ex-offenders.   
• An understanding of the impact of national and local policies and how they influence local government processes, drivers, structures and work practices.
• Working and negotiating with private organisations, the voluntary sector, public sector organisations and local community groups.
• Identifying new areas of housing need or housing related policy changes and developing initiatives to address these
• Knowledge of the operation of the private sector rental market.
• Adapting to changing workloads and priorities to meet performance targets and service standards
• Experience working in a busy front facing customer focused environment to give advice and information to vulnerable customers.
• Negotiating skills at the appropriate standard to liaise with landlords and agents.
• Ability to manage and direct own workload and act on own initiative.
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team, supporting colleagues.
• Ability to deliver at pace and quickly to tight timescales, balancing both immediate term priorities and longer-term goals.
• Ability to deal with complex and contentious cases and make bespoke recommendations to senior management.
• Ability to respond quickly and positively to changing work demands and conflicting priorities.

Additional Information

Closing date for applications is 14th March 2023 at Midday, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Please submit your CV with a personal statement of no more than x2 A4 sides outlining how you would be suitable for the role with due regard to the person specification attached to the job description.

Please follow this link to view the Job Description and Person Specification:

Job Description & Person Specification

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.