Development & Policy Officer

Eden Brown Synergy; Greater London; Remote; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Eden Brown Synergy is seeking a policy development professional to lead the council in responding to DWP circulars and statutory instruments affecting Housing Benefit policy, subsidy and administration. You will prepare formal guidance, liaise with stakeholders, and drive learning initiatives for staff across ICT and admin functions.

The role emphasizes delivering induction programs for a large local authority, with remote work predominating and monthly office attendance.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing policy and guidance notes related to DWP circulars and Statutory Instruments.
• Experience with Housing Benefit administration, fraud, and subsidy.
• Ability to interpret policy, legislation and guidance and produce written guidance for staff and management.
• Experience delivering induction programs and maintaining learning records in a large local authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead the council in keeping up with legislative developments and amendments affecting RAB.
• Draft and maintain learning materials on policy, procedures, ICT and RAB induction.
• Ensure staff are aware of policies affecting benefit subsidy and monitor subsidy claims.
• Liaise with subsidy manager and stakeholders (Internal Audit, Counter Fraud, DWP, MHCLG, housing providers) to address gaps and improve subsidy maximisation.
• Conduct learning needs analysis using data sources and assess staff competency where required.

Skills

Policy development

Guidance writing

Legislation interpretation

Learning materials design

Induction program delivery

Stakeholder liaison

ICT/Office administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.