Rural Housing Enabler

Hours: Up to 37.5 Hours per week - Part time and job share opportunities available

Location:Brightspace, Ipswich or Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft with blended home working available - Travelling around the county is required.

Term: Fixed term for 6 months (potential for extension dependant on funding)

Salary:£30,681 FTE

Actual Start date: As soon as possible

About us

Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.

Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.

About the role

We are seeking a Rural Housing Enabler to join our friendly team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in increasing the supply of affordable housing in rural Suffolk. You will engage with communities and provide a range of support, from raising awareness of the need for affordable Rural Housing, facilitating initial discussions, gathering of evidence of need and liaising with other stakeholders. You will assist them throughout the journey of developing their own local housing schemes.

In this role, clear communication is essential. You'll be presenting to a range of audiences, and working in partnership with communities / community leaders, parish councils district and county authorities, landowners, developers, housing organisations, and other partners to bring forward affordable Rural Housing projects in Suffolk. Good IT skills, and the ability to build strong relationships are crucial.

The ideal candidate will have the following experience/skills:

• Excellent working knowledge of the issues affecting housing in Suffolk, and other issues affecting rural communities
• Experience of working in supporting rural communities thorough consultation for affordable and/or community led housing
• A good knowledge and understanding of the principles of quality community consultation.
• Working with local authorities, parish councils, housing associations and similar organisations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.

For more information or an application pack, please visit our website.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.

What we offer

You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:

• Blended working where role allows
• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 33 days increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
• Up to 4% matched pension contribution
• 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
• Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
• Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Continued Professional Development for job related development
• Family Friendly policies and practices
• Tailored induction

Closing date for applications: 9.00am Wednesday 22ndJuly 2024

Interview will take place on: 26th or 29th July 2024