Homelessness and Supported Housing Policy Officer

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible hours

Annual leave scheme

Training on the job

Professional membership fees

Job summary

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority is recruiting two Homelessness and Supported Housing Policy Officers to develop and deliver programmes across the region. You will support policy development, project management and evidence gathering to shape homelessness prevention strategies.

The role requires experience in homelessness settings, strong policy acumen and collaborative working with local authorities, housing providers and health partners. Hybrid working in Sheffield is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in homelessness and/or supported housing settings.
• Policy development and delivery experience.
• Understanding of EMSAs and housing policy context.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of SYMCA's Homelessness and Supported Housing Programme.
• Lead policy relating to homelessness and supported housing and contribute to Housing Strategy.
• Provide business cases and Demonstrator Projects funding insight and management.

Skills

Homelessness experience

Policy experience

Partnership & collaboration

Project management

EMSAs understanding

Job description

Homelessness and Supported Housing Policy Officer

Application Deadline: 16 September 2026

Department: Housing, Infrastructure & Planning

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Homelessness and Supported Housing Manager

Compensation: £42,840 - £46,142 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent (two roles available)
• Salary: Grade 9 £42,840 - £46,142
• Location: Sheffield (hybrid working)

Are you ready to play a key role in supporting the prevention of homelessness, including through additional supported housing initiatives, across South Yorkshire?

SYMCA’s Integrated Settlement included £9.4m to prevent homelessness and increase supported housing, and more recently a rough sleeping allocation of £9m to support the Prime Minister’s ambitions to end rough sleeping. We are growing our team to drive forward this important agenda.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SYMCA’s Housing and Infrastructure Team and help shape the region’s response to homelessness and supported housing. Working alongside people with lived experience, local authorities, housing providers, health partners, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders, you will support the development of policies, programmes and projects that make a real difference to people’s lives across South Yorkshire.

We are looking for two Homelessness and Supported Housing Policy Officers to support this team. This is a rapidly growing team and we are also in the process of recruiting a Homelessness and Supported Housing Manager.

Please note interviews for this role are expected to take place on 5th October.

About the role

As Homelessness and Supported Housing Policy Officer, you will support the development and delivery of SYMCA’s Homelessness and Supported Housing Programme and help shape future devolved responsibilities in this area.

You will provide policy and project management support for homelessness prevention and supported housing initiatives, including the development of business cases, programmes and projects identified through the Homelessness and Supported Housing Task Force and related workstreams.

The role involves gathering and analysing evidence, monitoring national policy developments, preparing briefings and reports for senior leaders and stakeholders, and contributing to the development of SYMCA’s Housing Strategy. You will also work closely with local authorities and partners to support the delivery of homelessness action plans and supported housing strategies across the region.

Working collaboratively across SYMCA and with external stakeholders, you will help ensure homelessness prevention is embedded within wider regional priorities and investments.

Key responsibilities:

Reporting directly to the Homelessness and Supported Housing Manager, you will:

• Be integral to supporting the successful delivery of SYMCA’s Homelessness and Supported Housing Delivery Programme.
• Lead on policy relating to homelessness and supported housing and input into SYMCA’s emerging Housing Strategy.
• Provide project management support on the development of business cases and Demonstrator Projects to be funded through our devolved homelessness and supported housing funding.

About you

You will bring:

• Experience of working in a homelessness and/or supported housing setting.
• Policy experience.
• An understanding of homelessness, supported housing and the role of Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs).
• Good project management skills.
• Experience and an appetite for partnership and collaborative working both internally and externally.

You will be passionate about improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and understand the challenges faced by individuals, families and communities.

You will have strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to develop evidence-based recommendations and work effectively across organisational boundaries. Organised, proactive and collaborative, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and contributing to programmes that deliver meaningful social impact across South Yorkshire.

Benefits

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

• Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
• Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications
• Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact [e-mail] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.