Procurement Officer – Housing Needs Service

Job Details

This role is important in meeting the housing need of homeless people by acquiring or procuring sufficient emergency, temporary and settled accommodation to meet existing and ongoing need. The post holder has no line management responsibility but may be involved in assisting or training new staff at team manager’s direction or request. It will also involve representing the Council at external meetings.

Role Purpose
• To be responsible for negotiating and the procurement of good quality accommodation of suitable type, size and location across the private sector to meet the duties to homeless households.
• To establish new links with emergency accommodation service providers and secure rooms from hoteliers and other providers, negotiating best prices, obtaining value for money, and complying with legislation regarding suitability of accommodation.
• To procure accommodation if required for use by other Council services responsible for the provision of accommodation to customers meeting qualifying criteria (i.e. care leavers, `no recourse to public funds’ households, mental health households etc.)
• To ensure all properties acquired comply with property standards and statutory requirements and are as cost-effective as possible in line with Pan London Rates as applicable.

Main Duties / Accountabilities
1. To directly procure and negotiate different types of accommodation to be used for emergency accommodation, long term accommodation and discharge of homeless duty.
2. To ensure all properties acquired comply with property standards and statutory requirements and are as cost-effective as possible in line with Pan London Rates as applicable.
3. To provide advice, support and encouragement to landlords with homes to let and increase the number of directly managed units.
4. To develop and maintain effective relationships with new and existing accommodation suppliers
5. To establish links with suppliers of all services relating to those households requiring emergency accommodation and negotiating on cost.

• Experience of working effectively with private sector landlords and/or within a homelessness context.
• Experience of negotiating with suppliers to obtain the best possible value for money.
• Knowledge of private rented sector housing market and contracts, particularly the issues affecting private rented sector customers and landlords.

Candidate is expected to hold a valid full driving license and have the use of a car (insured for business use).

Rates

  • PAYE: £21.23 per hour
  • Umbrella PAYE (pre-parity): £27.70