Housing Officer – Homes for Ukraine

Job Description

 

Job Title:

Housing Officer – Homes for Ukraine

Location

RMC operates four branches located in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Dudley.

The successful candidate will be based at the Birmingham site and will be required to travel to all branches as needed.

This is an in-person, on-site role with no hybrid or remote work options available

Reporting To:

Integration Projects Manager

Salary and benefits:

£24,000-£26,000 (dependent to experience)

Additional Benefits:

·       Company-matched pension scheme

·       Employee assistance program

·       Health and wellness support

·       Mental health resources

·       Comprehensive training and opportunities for career advancement

Hours:

35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Contract: 

Fixed term

Probation period:

6 months

Annual Leave:

21 days + 1 concessionary day and 8 Bank Holidays

 

About the Role

The Refugee and Migrant Centre is looking for a committed and detail-oriented Housing Officer to join our Resettlement Department. This role is crucial in ensuring that refugees and migrants have access to safe, suitable, and sustainable housing as they rebuild their lives in the UK.

RMC is a well-established charity providing essential support to refugees, migrants, and vulnerable individuals. Our services range from legal advice to welfare support, and we are dedicated to empowering people to achieve stability and independence.

Purpose of the Role

The Housing Officer will play a key role in supporting individuals and families to secure and maintain appropriate accommodation. The successful candidate will liaise with sponsors, landlords, local authorities, and support agencies to ensure clients receive the necessary assistance with housing-related matters.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 

Housing Support & Client Assistance:

• Complete initial property checks required for HFU applications at sponsors homes
• Ensure EPC and gas safety certificates are up to date in sponsored accommodation
• Support HFU clients with Move on Fund applications and complete an initial assessment based on eligibility criteria with the support of the HFU administrator
• Assist clients in securing safe and appropriate housing, including private rentals and social housing.
• Provide advice on tenancy agreements, rights and responsibilities, and housing-related benefits.
• Support individuals experiencing housing difficulties, including overcrowding, homelessness, or unsuitable living conditions.
• Assist clients in completing housing applications, benefit claims, and liaising with landlords or local authorities.
• Offer guidance on maintaining tenancies and preventing eviction, including budgeting for rent and utility payments.
• Liaise closely with Birmingham City councils housing department as required within the scope of the role
• Attend regular rematch and move on meetings with local partners
• Create and facilitate workshops with HFU cohorts around the UK housing systems as well as their rights and responsibilities when living with sponsors, or as tenants  or lodgers

Property Liaison & Partnership Working:

• Develop and maintain relationships with private landlords, housing associations, and local councils to increase housing opportunities for clients.
• Work closely with internal teams and external agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to resettlement and housing support.
• Mediate between clients and landlords/sponsors to address tenancy issues and resolve disputes.
• Ensure clients are aware of their rights and responsibilities as tenants and assist them in addressing any concerns.

Administrative & Compliance Duties:

• Maintain accurate records of client cases, ensuring compliance with GDPR and organisational policies.
• Keep up to date with housing legislation, welfare benefits, and local housing policies.
• Prepare reports and updates on housing placements and client outcomes.
• Monitor and assess housing needs within the community to inform service improvements.

General Responsibilities:

• Uphold RMC’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Provide a person-centred service that recognises the specific challenges faced by refugees and migrants.
• Participate in team meetings, training, and service development initiatives.
• Undertake any other duties as required to support the work of the Resettlement Department.

Person Specification

 

Essential:

• Experience in housing support, tenancy management, or homelessness prevention.
• Knowledge of UK housing policies, tenancy rights, and welfare benefits related to housing.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage with landlords, tenants, and local authorities.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases effectively.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in IT, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• A commitment to supporting refugees, migrants, and vulnerable individuals.

Desirable:

• Experience working in the charity or public sector, particularly in housing or resettlement support.
• Understanding of the challenges faced by newly arrived refugees and migrants in securing stable accommodation.
• Knowledge of housing-related debt management and financial support options.
• Fluency in a community language, such as Ukrainian, would be an advantage.

 

Terms and conditions of employment

 

The following conditions of service will apply:

Salary

£24,000-£26,000 (dependent to experience)

Location

Birmingham

Pension

RMC will contribute 3% of gross basic salary

Holidays

21 days per year plus public holidays pro rata for part-time post.  Holiday entitlement increases to 24 days after 2 years and 29 days after 5 years

Hours of Work

35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks).

Probation

This post will have a probationary period of 6 months

Notice

One month’s notice of termination of employment on either side.

Disability

We are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or working arrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities.

Enhanced DBS:

Employment in this post will be subject to a satisfactory police clearance being obtained. Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exception) Order 1975 and you are, therefore, not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.

Travel expenses

If travel around the Black Country is undertaken in your own vehicle for work purposes this can be reclaimed at the rate of 45 pence per mile.

Training

Commitment to supporting you to develop and upskill.

 

 

Flexibility

In order to deliver the stated aims of this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties will fall within the scope of the job within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed.

 

What we hope you'll do next

 

We are keen to hear from all candidates whose skills and experience fulfil the criteria set out above. Please complete the application form, indicating where you first saw the job advertisement and demonstrating your professional fit with the role.

 

 

 

 

 

Equal Opportunities

 

We're an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

 

Closing Date:   Monday, 31st March, 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

Please note that RMC is not a sponsoring organisation. If your visa requires an extension within the next 12 months with the support of employer sponsorship, the Refugee and Migration Centre is unable to provide assistance with this.