Development Officer

Job Role:

You will be responsible for supporting the Development Director in the delivery of high-quality homes across Northern Ireland. As well as assisting the team in the delivery of new homes, the role involves all aspects of development from inception to handover and final completion, encompassing: site identification, acquisition, feasibility, design, planning, construction, project management, procurement, and health and safety compliance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

·Undertake site visits and carry out site appraisals / feasibility studies to understand and quantify site specific risks.

·Assist the Development Director to formulate and prioritise the Association's development programme in line with strategic objectives for consideration, approval and implementation.

·Complete / check Total Cost Indicator (TCI) calculations and work with the Development Director to prepare accurate financial projections/investment appraisals to aid decision making on potential new opportunities.

·Co-ordinate the process of scheme design, detailed design, preparation of contract documentation, planning negotiations and applications.

·Attend Design Team meetings and progress scheme designs in accordance with the Alpha Design Guide and Department for Communities’ (DfC) Housing Association Guide. Ensure both quality and cost are key considerations as designs develop.

·Assist in all aspects of control and supervision of projects within the development process.

·Negotiate, liaise and communicate effectively with all clients’ design teams and local communities and other key stakeholders.

·Organise and manage community consultations and follow up with any additional information and further engagement. (These meetings may be held outside normal office hours).

·Assist with development-related PR, social media and events.

·Preparation and submission of Applications for Project Approval and Housing Association Grant claims to the Housing’s Executive’s Development Programme Group (DPG).

·Contract management, liaising with contractors when issues arise, and leading in monthly contract management meetings.

·Monitor all scheme-related income and expenditure and process payments within delegated authority limits.

·Ensure all development files and finance information for all projects are up to date.

·Complete handovers; manage latent defects; complete adoptions; end of defects inspections etc.

·Complete Post Project Evaluations returns for all projects.

·Proactively review the Risk Register to identify risks and ensure mitigating actions are in place.

·Assist with preparation of internal Committee and Board reports.

·Learn, understand and continually review compliance of Housing Association Guide/DfC requirements.

·Initiate procurements as required and monitor progress of individual processes and their compliance with relevant regulations.

·Procure consultants and contractors in accordance with the Alpha Corporate Procurement Policy.

·Ensure all procurement procedures are fully implemented and participate in procurement exercises.

·Procure frameworks of developers/contractors for Land, Design and Build opportunities.

·Co-ordinate provision of insurances and warranty cover for schemes.

·Attend individual meetings or site meetings and Liaise with Clerks of Works regularly.

·Monitor defects in conjunction with colleagues during the Defects Liability Period.

·Work with the Development Director to develop project specific design specification and requirements on fixtures and finishes.

·Update and oversight of the Alpha Design Guide.

·Deliver the Development Strategy, helping update periodically as required.

·Assist the Development Director to Draft policies and procedures in line with sector good practice and legal and regulatory obligations.

·Operate and maintain Development Department procedures and audit requirements in line with regulations and external auditing requirements.

·Assist the Development Director and Finance Director in preparation of the 30-year Long-Term Financial Plan and ensuring financial viability and loan covenant compliance.

·Participate in corporate activities including health and safety and continuous improvement initiatives.

·Provide regular internal updates and/or reports on projects as required to monitor strategic objectives.

Governance, Assurance & Compliance

·Ensure compliance with the highest standards in Health and Safety, especially in the delivery of the social housing development programme.

·Support the Development Director in enabling compliance with all statutory and regulatory obligations.

·Assist in the Provision of accurate, timely and full reports to Board and Committees.

·Advise colleagues on regulatory compliance and implementation of new guidance.

·Facilitate internal audits, and promptly implement recommendations.

Duties may vary from time to time within the broad remit of this role. The postholder will be flexible and pro-active in undertaking any such reasonable duties.

Person Specification

All criteria are essential unless indicated otherwise.

Qualifications:

A third level qualification in a relevant subject, e.g. Surveying, Building or Engineering.

And

A minimum of three years’ experience gained in a housebuilding related role with the ability to demonstrate specific experience in the delivery of housing or construction projects or property acquisitions.

Desirable Qualifications

·Membership of a relevant professional body, e.g. RICS,

·Experience of working on social housing residential development projects.

Experience:

•A minimum of three years’ experience gained in a housing, building, or related organisation, with the ability to demonstrate relative experience.

•Managing construction contracts (Development Agreements and/or NEC3/4)/Development project management experience.

•Public sector or housing association experience (Desirable)

•The ability to work on a range of projects simultaneously achieving challenging targets and objectives.

Knowledge/Skills:

•Knowledge of Building Regulations and statutory health and safety requirements.

•High standard of verbal and written communication.

•Strong planning skills, anticipating and solving potential problems in advance.

•Experience of writing reports, presentations, and policies.

•Excellent time management skills and ability to organise and prioritise workload to fulfil deadlines, working under pressure at times.

•Commitment to business improvement, including through problem solving and developing new processes.

•IT proficiency – ability to confidently use a range of applications, especially MS 365 / Office, experience and understanding of spreadsheets, cash flows and economic appraisals.

•Understanding of technical drawings and contract documentation.

•Knowledge of housing, to include planning processes, development processes and basic construction knowledge.

•An understanding of risk management within the Housing Development Process.

•Knowledge of the DfC Housing Association Guide (desirable).

•Understanding and experience of working with local communities.

•Full driver’s licence and access to own car – regular travel across NI will be required.

Personal Qualities

•Strong interpersonal skills.

•Excellent communication and presentation skills.

•High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

•Strong commitment to high quality customer service.

•Adopts a flexible approach to the requirements of the job.

•Adapts positively to change.

•Ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative.

•Promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of employment and service delivery.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact

James Wright, Development Director: