Homelessness Adviser

About the Role and Organization

This position at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) supports local authorities in delivering robust homelessness services. The adviser collaborates directly with senior managers to enhance service design, promote improvements, and facilitate the implementation of government homelessness policies. Additionally, the role contributes to policy formation by integrating sector and local government expertise.

This role requires frequent travel across various locations including Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and Wolverhampton. Engagements often involve face-to-face meetings with local authorities, stakeholders, and civil service teams, sometimes necessitating overnight stays. Advisers operate from multiple sites beyond their home MHCLG office, combining travel, office attendance, and remote working per MHCLG guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with local authorities to implement the National Plan to End Homelessness, focusing on homelessness prevention, rough sleeping reduction, and minimizing unsuitable temporary accommodations.
• Collaborate with local areas to interpret local needs and data; provide expert guidance on service design and prevention strategies; support development of local homelessness strategies, action plans, and targets.
• Offer constructive challenge to areas showing performance concerns and oversee approval of improvement plans along with accountability mechanisms.
• Advocate for the Homelessness Reduction Act's goals by aiding adaptation of procedures in local authorities for varied homelessness cohorts.
• Serve as a subject matter expert within adviser teams and liaise with policy, performance, and delivery units to provide specialized support.

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrable expert knowledge of homelessness, rough sleeping, and housing-related support systems, with ability to evaluate local service models and assist in securing sustainable outcomes for affected individuals.
• At least three years of senior management experience within local government authorities.
• Comprehensive understanding of homelessness legislation, statutory responsibilities, relevant policies, and prevention methodologies.
• Familiarity with homelessness pathways, housing options, temporary accommodation, outreach services, and integrated multi-agency support frameworks.
• Proficiency in analyzing local system performance, identifying barriers, and recommending evidence-driven solutions.
• Experience collaborating with local authorities and partners, including health services, probation, police, DWP, voluntary sector, and housing providers.
• Ability to utilize data, intelligence, and local insights to guide decision-making and enhance service delivery.
• Strategic, place-based approach towards prevention and rough sleeping reduction initiatives.

Essential Experience

• Background in delivering, commissioning, managing, or influencing homelessness and rough sleeping initiatives.
• Experience working collaboratively across public services and voluntary organizations.
• Track record of analyzing performance, risks, and delivery metrics to drive improvements.
• Competence in providing advice, challenge, and support to senior-level stakeholders.

Remuneration and Benefits

The salary for this role is £58,092, supplemented by a £16,829 contribution from MHCLG towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional employee benefits include customized career plans, flexible working arrangements, MyLifestyle Staff Benefits Scheme, Childcare Vouchers, and Cycle to Work initiatives.

Application and Selection Process

The recruitment process involves two stages assessing behaviours, experience, strengths, and includes:

• Stage 1: Application sift based on merged CV and covering letter. Covering letter should be a maximum of one page detailing interest in the role and alignment with required skills and experience.
• Stage 2: Interview including presentation preparation, behavioural assessments (Leadership, Collaboration, Decision-making), and strength-based questions.

Applications must combine CV and cover letter into a single document. All submissions go through a structured review process. Interviews are usually conducted remotely via video call.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance

MHCLG is an equal opportunity employer participating in the Disability Confident Scheme, ensuring fair and accessible recruitment. Candidates must meet nationality eligibility (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth with UK work rights, EU/EEA with settled status, certain Turkish nationals). Security clearance and criminal record checks are mandatory.

Additional Notes

The adviser role demands travel and official duties from various locations along with home-based working. Use of artificial intelligence tools in application is permitted only when statements are accurate and personally experienced; plagiarism will result in application withdrawal or disciplinary action.