Receptionist

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. In 2024 we embarked on our new 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

It is an exciting and important time to be joining us at Crisis. We work with thousands of people across England, Scotland, and Wales so they can leave homelessness behind for good. We have recently adapted the way our services work to maximise our impact in ending homelessness. We have increased our capacity to work with people one to one and strengthened our ability to support those people facing the most barriers to preventing or ending their homelessness.

Crisis Skylight Brent has recently moved to new offices in the centre of Harlesden, a thriving and multi-cultural high street community in Northwest London.  

We offer people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless housing and benefits advice, 1-2-1 coaching, advocacy, courses and peer group sessions alongside practical services of showers and laundry for street homeless. 

Location: Onsite at Crisis Skylight Brent, 1-2, Bank Buildings, High St, NW10 4LT

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

About the role

As a receptionist, you will be part of Crisis Skylight Brent’s Engagement and Assessment Team, providing a high quality, non-judgemental and safe service to individuals who approach our Skylight Centre. You will be the first point of contact for a range of enquiries from people who are experiencing homelessness for the first time, individuals with complex and multiple needs, visitors, volunteers, and supporters. You will be providing information about Crisis’ services, delivering a high-quality triage both in person and on the telephone. This is an opportunity to be a key part in ending someone’s homelessness.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Relevant experience of working within a reception/administrative support role
• Experience of providing customer service within a commitment to deliver the highest standard of customer care.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work successfully with disadvantaged or social excluded groups and individuals.
• Good organisational skills with ability to deal effectively with conflicting priorities in a busy environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds. 

Working at Crisis 

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.  

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including: 

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy. 
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5% 
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave. 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm 
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly And more! (Full list of benefits available on website) 

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. 

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

If you would like to know more about this role/ the service, you can attend an Open Evening at Crisis Skylight Brent 1-2 Bank Buildings, High Street, Harlesden, NW10 4LT on Thursday 17 October 17:30 – 19:00. 

Closing date: Sunday 27 October 2024 23:55

Interview date and location: Thursday 7 November 2024 at Crisis Skylight Brent, 1-2, Bank Buildings, High St, NW10 4LT

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for my application?

We strongly discourage applicants from using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. This is so we can run a fair, transparent process which gives all applicants an equitable chance of success. We want to hear about your own experience and perspectives in your application and if shortlisted, during the interview too.