MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES OF JOB
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
ROLE PROFILE
Department Area:
Housing Strategy & Development
Job Title:
Senior Housing Development Officer
Post Number:
Grade:
I
221230
RELATIONSHIPS
1.
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Housing Development and Home Ownership Manager
2.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR:
None
3.
IMPORTANT INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
 Fellow professionals and managers within the service area
 Key managers and staff across service areas and directorates
4.
IMPORTANT EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
 All relevant professionals with whom and for whom the Council does business
including registered providers, developers, other local authorities, other
Government/regulatory bodies and private organisations
 Tenants, applicants on the Housing Register and members of the public
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
To implement the objectives and outcomes of the Housing Strategy and through the
Strategic Housing Programme specifically in relation to the delivery of affordable housing
To co-ordinate and progress initiatives to maximise the provision of affordable housing in
the borough
To promote the development of new affordable housing in Kingston by Registered
Providers, Developers, other providers and by the Council
To manage individual development schemes throughout the process
This will be a professional role as the post holder will be required to cover for the Team
Leader, advising other team members as required. They will not have management
responsibility which will rest with the Team Leader.
Prepared By: Sue Fernandes................
Date: October 2012
HsgS&D/roleprof/SDO
Agreed By: Andrew Billany/Keith Broxup
Date: ...October 12..
Communications
 Encourages and actively engages in positive communications and team working
 Communicate clearly and appropriately with customers and colleagues
 Provide advice on all aspects of the Housing Strategy and Development service
 Seeks, listens to and responds to the views and ideas of staff and customers
Key Priorities
 Promote the delivery of new affordable housing (in liaison with planning colleagues) in
compliance with the London Plan, the Local Development Framework and relevant
Supplementary Planning Documents.
 Contribute towards reviews of and production of policy documents such as the Housing
Strategy, the Local Development Framework and Supplementary Planning Documents
 Implement the Housing Services Strategic Objectives through the Strategic Housing
Programme, specifically with reference to the delivery of new affordable housing.
 Prepare Committee reports and Briefs for Senior Management
 Prepare Project Documentation within the required timescales for all the various stages of
Projects assigned to the Strategy and Development Team, and coordinate, service and
attend Project Team meetings.
 Research the range of existing affordable housing initiatives and the impact of new national
policy and legislative changes and identify innovative and good practice models to
maximise the supply in order to meet the need of the borough.
 Investigate and progress opportunities for developing schemes that meet priority needs
without any public subsidy.
 Recommend initiatives which maximises the capital programme made available for the
development of new affordable housing and thereafter implement the programme.
 Monitor expenditure on individual development projects, regularly report and make
recommendations in respect of any variation from the budget in line with Budget
Management procedures.
 Respond to planning consultations affecting Housing Services under the Town & Country
Planning Act 1990 (as amended) on behalf of the Head of Housing and advise Planning and
Legal colleagues on the Services views on the content of model and specific S106
Agreements and unilateral undertakings associated with the provision of affordable housing.
 Provide detailed advice on complex financial viability appraisals to Development
Management in order to ensure the maximum viable provision of affordable housing
 Explore and recommend development opportunities on all Council land including small sites
such as garages blocks, in-fills to maximise the provision of new affordable housing.
 Monitor and maintain an up-to-date list of schemes in the pipeline and report on
Performance against Objectives.
 Deal with enquires from Asset Management, members of the public and colleagues
regarding the transfer/sale of Council HRA land/properties.
 Prepare press releases and promotional information on the Service for use by developers,
registered providers, members’ of the public and a range of internal and external agencies.
 Lead on and be responsible for specific affordable housing projects with or without a
Registered Provider whilst promoting good quality design with particular regard to new
affordable housing with reference to the Council’s priority housing needs in accordance with
Wheelchair Standards, Lifetime Homes, Design and Quality Standards, Code for
Sustainable Homes and relevant good practice.
 Support the delivery of the GLA Affordable Housing Programme in maximising investment
in the borough by evaluating and supporting bids and opportunities that become available
through South West London Partnership and/or London wide which contribute to meeting
local need.
 To deal with general correspondence including Members enquiries and complaints from
service users, Councillors and MPs.
Performance
 Displays high performance expectations that are transferred into clear measurable targets
HsgS&D/roleprof/SDO
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Continually monitors performance against targets and communicates this to others
Consistently achieves performance targets and celebrates success with team
Participate in the staff appraisal system and team/section meetings and contribute to the
service and team plans.
General
 Develops, updates and acts on own personal development plan, and willingness to share
learning with others Maintain up to date files
 Champions diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery
 Commits to the wellbeing of staff and actively promotes RBK’s Health & Safety policies
 Comply with the Council’s Health and Safety Policies and encourage best practice within
the Strategy and Development Service
 Ensure customer care and equality of opportunity in all aspects of service provision
 Demonstrates a positive attitude to work and ensures that the highest quality services are
provided to customers.
 Works closely with partner organisations in implementing joint initiatives
 Contributes to strategic plans and improvements in service delivery
 Displays an advanced level of skill in IT technology and systems
 Attend meetings in the absence of Senior Manager
 Undertake all duties and interactions with employees, partner providers and customer fairly,
without unlawful discrimination and with due regard to the Council’s Code of Conduct
 Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be required from time to
time.
HsgS&D/roleprof/SDO
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
- an equal opportunities employer
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Senior Housing Development Officer
Post No:
221230
Grade: I
Qualifications:
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Experience:
At least 3 years experience in the housing or local authority sector
that demonstrates:
 Detailed knowledge of Project Management and experience of
delivery
 Detailed knowledge of affordable housing initiatives and
experience of delivery
 Detailed level of knowledge and understanding of major policy
issues currently affecting delivery and provision of affordable
housing
 Detailed knowledge and understanding of the planning and
development process
 Detailed knowledge and experience of assessing and advising on
viability appraisals.
 Experience of providing customer services, with an excellent
understanding of, and ability to deliver, high quality customer care
skills in an anti-discriminatory context
 Evidence of successfully developing and delivering solutions for
meeting the needs and aspirations of customers in the affordable
housing sector and achievement of these objectives and
outcomes.
 Personal development and actively develops the skills and
knowledge of others
 Ability to negotiate robustly with providers to maximise delivery of
affordable housing
 Ability to maintain and monitor information accurately and report
within strict deadlines
 Ability to use IT systems such as Outlook, Excel, Word,
Powerpoint to an advanced standard
 Ability to play a key role in contributing to developing Strategies,
Policies and improvements in service delivery
 Ability to effectively cover for Team Leader and team colleagues
in their absence
Knowledge of:


HsgS&D/roleprof/SDO
Degree or equivalent
Evidence of continuing professional development
Understanding of the role and purpose of the service within a local
authority
Broad understanding of the external influences on the
organisation and how they relate to the role
Other
Requirements:
HsgS&D/roleprof/SDO
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Knowledge of the vision and strategic goals of the organisation
and relevant service areas.

Having a strong commitment to following our Six Steps to working
as One Council:
1. Recognise the need to continually learn and adapt.
2. We willingly share our knowledge and learning with others
3. We work collaboratively across teams, services and
partner organisations
4. Looks for ways of improving what we do and how we do it
5. We are comfortable with new technology and modern
methods of working
6. We are determined to make a difference to the lives of our
customers
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Having a strong commitment to following our Six Steps to
delivering our Customer Commitment:

We go out of our way to get it right first time
 We listen, understand and deliver
 We respond positively and politely
 We respect each customer as an individual
 We take responsibility for the customer’s issue or problem
 We work as a team to deliver the solution