Senior Policy Advisor (social housing supply and planning)

Salary: £46,920 (London) / £42,373 (National) per annum
Hours: Full time (but open to proposals including part time, job shares etc)
Contract: Permanent
Benefits:

- 27 days annual leave + statutory holidays + three closures days over the Christmas period.
- Flexible working for all staff including working from home/hybrid working, and flexitime/TOIL scheme.
- Attractive family friendly policies.
- Private healthcare cover.
- Season ticket loans.
- Employee awards, and training and development opportunities.

For more information about our benefits please visit our website.
Office locations: London or Bristol
Please note, the successful candidate will be expected to carry out two days in-person working per week on average which will include attendance at your office location.
Flexible working arrangements can be discussed and agreed with the line manager subject to role and business needs.

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the National Housing Federation (NHF) for a senior policy advisor to lead our policy and strategy work on housing supply, development and planning, at a critical time for social housing supply.
The NHF is the voice of housing associations in England. We are the trade body to almost 600 housing associations, who have grown from philanthropic roots to provide 2.6 million homes to around six million people. You can find further information about the NHF on our website.
This role is a crucial and exciting one within our policy team, the wider organization and the social housing sector. Social housing supply is high on the political agenda and housing associations are working closely with the government on the policy and funding environment needed to allow us to deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. This role will put you at the heart of this national issue.
Whether this is making a persuasive and evidence-based case to the government for additional grant funding to build new homes, or working with sector experts on the detail of planning, development or regeneration policy, or meeting with civil servants, developers, planners, local government and other stakeholders on behalf of our members, this role is central to our work influencing national social housing policy.
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to download the full job profile and person specification for this role.

Key elements of the role:

- Shape and lead our policy work on key strategic issues for housing associations around housing supply including planning, funding, development management, skills;
- Develop evidence and ideas on technical policy areas into salient policy solutions that will make a difference for the sector and influence government;
- Represent the NHF to senior colleagues in government, members and external stakeholders with credibility, expertise and political judgement;
- Communicate with and provide advice to members on critical changes to policy and the external environment.

The successful candidate:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

- An ability to lead the development of credible, robust, evidence based policy, including on complex and technical policy areas;
- An ability to communicate credibly, clearly and persuasively in writing and in person including to Chief Executives, senior government officials and development professionals;
- An ability to draft, oversee, adapt and deliver complex plans for the delivery of multiple projects or programmes of work;
- A strong interest in and passion for social housing and for social housing supply, through previous experience in either development or housing roles, and capacity to quickly learn the technical details of housing association development and operating models.

Nb within the NHF this role is known as policy leader but it is equivalent to a Senior Policy Advisor in other settings.

Equality, diversity and inclusion
The NHF has published its equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, which was co-created with staff. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we value the contribution each individual makes to our work.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are working to increase the diversity profile of our workforce. We are currently under-represented by ethnic minorities, people with a disability or disabilities and LGBTQ+, and would particularly welcome applications from people in these groups.

Disability confident employer
We are a disability confident employer and if you are a disabled person who demonstrates you meet the skills and experience we consider essential for the role, we will offer you an interview.
We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process if you have a disability or have a condition that you feel may affect your performance during the recruitment process. Please email Stephanie Green, People Manager with your request or to arrange a time to discuss in more detail.
Our role profile and job advert can also be requested in large print or in accessible format via this email address.

Uploading your CV and cover letter
If you decide to apply for this role, when requested, please upload a version of your CV that does not include any personal details, such as name, gender, age etc. You should also ensure that you do not add your name at the end of the cover letter. This will help us to shortlist candidates for interview based solely on their knowledge, skills and experience.

Right to work in the UK/UK VISA sponsorship
You must have the right to work in the UK and it is important to note that the NHF does not sponsor individuals to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: Wed 12th February
Interview date: Wed 26th / Tues 27th February