Adviser - Homelessness

local.gov.uk; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Location: Westminster, London or home based.

***12 months fixed term contract or secondment***

About us

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.
We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.
We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference on one of the most urgent and high-profile social issues facing the country. We are looking for a skilled and passionate adviser to join our policy team, with a focus on homelessness policy. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of shaping and influencing national policy and championing the role of councils in preventing and tackling homelessness. From emergency accommodation and rough sleeping to prevention, housing supply and support services, your work will touch every part of the homelessness system.

You will work closely with council officers, elected members, Whitehall officials and national partners to develop strong, evidence-based policy positions and solutions. You will provide expert policy advice, develop briefings and consultation responses, and help ensure that the voice of local government is heard loud and clear in shaping legislation, funding and practice.

This role offers the opportunity to broaden your influence, work across a wide and evolving policy agenda, and connect with a passionate and knowledgeable network across the housing and homelessness sector.

About you

You will have a strong understanding of homelessness policy, housing challenges and the role of local government in tackling them. You will have experience of policy development and have a collaborative, proactive and outcomes-focused approach. You will also be comfortable working in a political environment, skilled at building relationships across sectors and confident in representing the LGA and influencing stakeholders at a senior level.

You must have the right to work in the UK; the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

To apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

1. A broad understanding of local and/or central government and how they work, with specific knowledge of councils’ statutory duties in relation to homelessness.
2. Experience of managing a complex workload, preparing plans and meeting deadlines and milestones.
3. Experience of using project management approaches and principles across multiple projects.
4. Experience of researching data from a range of sources and of compiling clear, comprehensive papers.
5. Experience of organising meetings, events or other activities.
6. Political sensitivity, with the ability to exercise discretion, judgement and confidentiality when dealing with politicians and officers at every level, and to demonstrate political neutrality at all times.

Closing Date: 5pm, Tuesday 22 April

Interview Date: Week commencing 6 May 2025 - interviews will be virtual.

At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”. If you require a reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have, please contact us via [e-mail]

Our benefits

• LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).
• Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
• Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals.
• The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
• Family friendly policies.

Our values & behaviours

Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:

• how we work with each other.
• how we work with our members and stakeholders.
• our expectations for ourselves and each other.

Our values are:

Collaboration – We value collaboration, to pursue shared goals by encouraging and utilising diverse perspectives and working with internal and external colleagues across the organisation.

Inclusion – We value inclusion, where everyone feels valued, understood, and supported to contribute meaningfully.

Ambition – We value ambition, reflecting our desire to achieve best possible outcomes for local government, communities, and individuals.

Respect – We value respect, to ensure fairness, recognition, and shared accountability.