HOUSING JUSTICE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Deputy Director

Reports to:Chief Executive

Reports from:ShelterProject Coordinators, Faith in Affordable Housing Project Coordinator (England), London Hosting Project Coordinators,

Based at:Housing Justice Office,256 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UJ, or working from home and attending the office at least2 days per week.

Job purpose:Direct, coordinate and develop the project work of Housing Justice throughout England and Wales. Manage and provide support to project staff.Responsible for ensuring funding is in place to allow projects to be delivered and to develop in line with the strategic plan. Grow emergent income streams from consultancy, training and events and take the lead on delivery of these activities.Deputise for the Chief Executive.

Last revised: June2016

The following information is furnished to assist staff joining Housing Justice to understand and appreciate the work of their post and the role they play in the organisation.

Main duties

  1. Projects:To direct and coordinate the activities of all Housing Justice projects in England and Wales and to manage project staff. This will include oversight of monitoring and evaluation of projects ensuring they are in line with Housing Justice mission, values and strategic direction, and signing off project budgets and reports to funders and to Housing Justice Trustees, including via a quarterly Board Report.
  2. Supporting staff by setting clear objectives and holding individual supervisions regularly.
  3. Ensuring good communication between staff and knowledge sharing of best practice by holding team meetings regularly and additional briefings as necessary. These can be conducted remotely
  4. Defining the roles of new staff in connection with the CEO to ensure these support the projects aims and objectives.
  5. Fundraising: Responsible for ensuring funding is in place for existing and new projects. To increase and secure restricted project income through voluntary trusts and foundations. To be responsible for the Charity’s restrict income targets.
  6. To work with the Chief Executive, project staffand the Fundraising Development Coordinator to sustain and grow existing projects in line with the Housing Justice Strategic Plan, and to develop new projects asappropriate, working alongside churches and others involved in action on homelessness and housing need.
  1. Events:To work with the Chief Executive, the marketing team and project teamsto plan and organise meetings, forums, workshops, conferences and other events, including Housing Justice Roadshows. To grow the income from events so that they become a net contributor to the Housing Justice budget.
  1. Training and Consultancy:To be responsible for developing, coordinating and delivering training and other paid for Housing Justice consultancy services, including Housing Justice Quality Mark consultancy for CCNS’s and Mentoring and Befriending training and consultancy. To grow the income from these sources by an agreed percentage each year.

Other duties

  1. To contribute to the Charity’s communications work, including the website, Facebook page and Twitter feed
  1. Speak or preach at events and churches, contributing to the theological debate that informs church action on behalf of homeless and badly housed people.
  2. Ensure the implementation of all Housing Justice policies, and monitor and review the quality and effectiveness of the work within the overall business plan.
  1. Participate in regular formal supervision and appraisal.
  1. Attend training and events as directed.
  1. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Line Manager.
  1. Abide by Housing Justice policies and procedures at all times in carrying out the above duties and responsibilities, especially in regards to Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.
  1. Provide adequate cover for the CEO and deputise for the CEO as required
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY / range, including London weighting - £33,000 - £38,000
ANNUAL LEAVE: / 25 days per annum, rising to 30 days after five years' service, in addition to public holidays. The office is closed on Maundy (Easter) Thursday, and between Christmas and New Year, giving a further four days' leave.
HOURS OF WORK: / Flexi time, 35hours a week, normally 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., with an hour for lunch.
TIME OFF IN LIEU / Some evening and weekend work will be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) is granted.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: / In line with all Housing Justice appointments, this post is subject to a probationary period of six months
SEASON TICKET LOAN: / Employees are eligible for an interest-free season ticket loan at the end of their probationary period, which is to be repaid out of salary in 12 instalments.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The Deputy Director will have a strong vision of the role of, and challenge to, churches in working for social justice. He/she will have a successful track record in raising funds for the work of social justice/homelessness.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

The candidate will need to demonstrate:

  • A sympathetic and informed understanding of the Christian churches’ role in social justice. and the Christian Faith
  • Knowledge and experience of at least one aspect of housing or homelessness.
  • Successful track record in fundraising from trusts and foundations and/or other areas of non public fundraising
  • Ability to demonstrate that knowledge of other areas of housing policy can be quickly mastered.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including presentations, reports, marketing material and letters.
  • Experience of monitoring and evaluation of projects.
  • Experience of developing and delivering training courses.
  • Experience of staff management, delegation and team building skills.
  • Experience of prioritising and effectively managing a challenging workload
  • Computer literacy, including the ability to be self-servicing.
  • Financial literacy, with an ability to set and manage budgets.
  • Working knowledge of church structures and decision-making processes.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

  • Knowledge of housing and regeneration policy.
  • Knowledge of the make-up and activities of the broader UK housing lobby.
  • Experience of public speaking.
  • Experience of producing successfulfunding applications.
  • Research skills.
  • Experience of media work.
  • Experience of editing and producing publications.
  • Experience of organising national or local campaigns.
  • Financial management and/or business planning.
KEY COMPETENCIES

The following key competencies will be required:

  • Ability to communicate to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences, including funders, churches and decision-makers.
  • Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels within and beyond the organisation.
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills; ability to deal sensitively with stressful situations.
  • Ability to adapt to the needs of a developing organisation and changing external environment.
  • Ability to work flexibly, covering for colleagues as appropriate.
  • Ability to develop a staff team within which talent is nurtured and developed.
  • The will and capacity to work collaboratively with others within, and across functions and with partner organisations, to achieve common objectives.
  • A strong commitment to social justice, and to the vision and values of Housing Justice.
A strong commitment to increasing diversity and equal opportunity, both within the workplace and within Housing Justice’s services and projects.
Ability to manage people remotely/at a distance
  • Able to translate strategic aims into practical and achievable plans.
  • Is aware of the need to work in a competitive, innovative and cost-effective way
  • Demonstrates financial awareness and is able to manage budgets
PERSONAL QUALITIES

The candidate will need to demonstrate that he or she is:

  • A leader and effective manager, with a leadership style which promotes collaborative working and good team morale.
  • An innovator and motivator, able to think creatively and effectively, and to focus all his or her energies on the achievement of Housing Justice’s objectives.
  • An effective team-player, able to foster new partnerships, work collaboratively across boundaries, and inspire high levels of commitment and performance from others.
  • A persuasive speaker, capable of positively influencing a wide range of audiences.
  • Proactive rather than reactive; focuses on preventing problems in the future rather than just resolving immediate issues.

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