BACKGROUND
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the international Habitat for Humanity network. We tackle housing poverty around the world by working in partnership with communities and families to achieve their dreams of a safe and decent place to live. You can find out more about our work on our website.
We are embarking on an ambitious new direction at Habitat GB; leveraging our global housing expertise and the learning from our flagship national programme “Empty Spaces to Homes” to work collaboratively with Habitat colleagues across Europe in effecting change at a policy level.
“Empty Spaces to Homes” is a ground-breaking initiative focused on a circular buildings approach that already has a feasible proof of concept from piloting, with strong upscaling potential. The premise is simple; unlocking the potential of long term empty commercial spaces to create affordable housing for vulnerable people. As well as the social benefits of adding to affordable housing stock, the Empty Spaces to Homes approach of retrofitting existing structures – at a much lower carbon cost - offers a greener and more sustainable way to meet the housing gap, in comparison to the environmental impact of the new build construction industry. Breaking down long-standing barriers to resource-efficient renovation is essential if the UK is to play its part in meeting ambitious global decarbonisation targets.
Purpose of The role
The UK Housing Advocacy Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission by leading advocacy efforts, shaping policies, and promoting sustainable housing solutions for affordable housing in Great Britain, particularly through our groundbreaking initiative "Empty Spaces to Homes."
As this is a new role, and is being recruited alongside the Head of Global Affairs and Advocacy, key responsibilities will include the establishment of a new function at Habitat GB. It involves working closely with colleagues across the Habitat GB organisation and contributing to advocacy efforts across the Habitat network at global and regional levels through engagement, strategy and shared learning. Key responsibilities also include developing communication and advocacy strategies targeting professionals and decision makers in social, environmental and housing sectors, as well as undertaking research and writing policy papers.
Main Responsibilities
1) Research and Analysis:
- Commission and conduct in-depth research into current British housing landscapes and related legislation, assessing the effectiveness of mechanisms for converting unused premises into social housing and its environmental impact.
- Identify legal changes necessary to facilitate such activities and advocate for their implementation.
2) Lead Policy Advocacy Efforts:
- Utilise research findings to develop policy positions and identify priority issues, setting policy goals, and mapping out related advocacy activities.
- Embed critical concepts such as embodied carbon and whole life cycle into policy communications to amplify Habitat GB's messaging.
3) Partnerships and Networks:
- Join and represent Habitat GB at existing coalitions or form new coalitions if necessary with stakeholders in the social, environmental, and housing sectors to advocate for climate and equity-related incentives in national and local legislations, policies, and funding mechanisms.
- Build a network of relationships among key stakeholder groups and individual decision-makers to advance Habitat's policy goals.
- Identify strategic events and ensure speaking roles for Habitat GB.
- Represent Empty Spaces to Homes and Habitat for Humanity’s wider UK programmes for awareness raising, advocacy and other priorities at key meetings and events.
4) Direct Lobbying:
- Cultivate strategic relationships with key decision-makers to further Habitat's policy objectives.
5) Collaboration:
- Develop collaborative partnerships internally with Habitat entities across Europe, aligning with the broader strategic objectives of the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative.
- Support communication efforts to underpin advocacy efforts effectively.
6) Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Work with the Impact Team to provide regular updates on advocacy strategy activities and evaluate their effectiveness.
Person Specification
· Proven experience in professional advocacy to influence key policy positions and decisions, preferably in housing or a related field.
· Track record in delivering targeted advocacy strategies and implementing communication strategies to support advocacy efforts.
· Experience in engaging stakeholders and decision-makers through events, networks, and meetings.
· Experience in community mobilisation or engagement.
· Understanding of housing poverty policies and related social welfare issues in Great Britain, with the ability to advise on effective mechanisms for influence.
· Familiarity with Local Authority Governance and opportunities for policy influence at local and regional levels.
Skills and competencies:
· Proficient in clear and effective written and verbal communication to convey complex policy matters to diverse groups.
· Strong relationship-building skills with government representatives, NGOs, and various stakeholders.
· Strategic thinking abilities and collaborative work approach towards organisational objectives and advocacy approaches.
· Ability to collaborate with diverse teams across multiple locations.
· Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines and adapt to challenges.
· Enthusiastic, positive, and proactive with a solution-oriented mindset.
· Demonstrated interest in our work and commitment to continuous learning and development.
· Dedication to contributing to the inclusive, people-positive culture at Habitat.
The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way which reflects:
· Habitat GB’s commitment to safeguarding children in accordance with the Safeguarding
Policy.
· A commitment to Habitat GB’s vision, mission, values and approach.
· A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Job descriptions may be subject to change.
Flexibility
Habitat GB is seeking to rapidly expand its activities and impact to fight poverty across the world. This means that the organisation must be adaptable and flexible and have an ambitious, dynamic and flexible team. It is a requirement of the post holder to be flexible in terms of location (within reason), line management, and duties and responsibilities.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
Start your Habitat journey
We want the recruitment process to give you the opportunity to share your skills and experience, and to find out more about Habitat. You are welcome to get in touch and arrange an informal chat with a member of the team before submitting an application. To apply for the role, please send us your CV and a cover letter telling us about yourself, how you meet the person specification, and your motivation for applying – we don’t expect this to be more than two sides of A4.
The deadline for applications is 12 May 2024 (at 11:59 pm).
Interviews will take place online from the week beginning 20 May 2024. Selected candidates will be contacted to agree a suitable time for interview.
Please note that we do not reimburse any expenses incurred during interviews.
We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role.
This post profile is not set in stone. It gives insight into the main purpose of the role, and expected responsibilities, but it might be reviewed in the future to meet the changing requirements of Habitat for Humanity GB – any changes will be made in discussion with the post-holder.
Habitat for Humanity requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of our code of conduct.
At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.
Unfortunately, because of high volume of applications we will not be able to contact unsuccessful applicants. If you haven’t heard from us within a month of the application deadline, please assume that your application has not been successful.
Are you a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner looking to join a values-driven, forward-thinking charity that values the PWP wellbeing, and believes in clinical excellence at step 2?
WithYou is a leading national charity providing evidence based support for mental health, substance use, and family services across the UK.We are passionate about truly making a difference to people’s lives and providing free therapy for those that need it. This role is for a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to join our Kent Talking Therapies service.
Because we want them to be the best PWPs that they can be, we are proud to provide our PWPs with the following:
- Clinical and case management supervision, 4 weekly reflective practice groups and group supervision, additional ad hoc supervision, which is above and beyond the National Talking Therapies recommended amount
- A supportive Step 2 Clinical Lead team that advocate for clinical excellence and incorporate our therapists views into service change
- Deliver an in house high quality monthly CPD programme covering a range of topics such as refreshers of key PWP interventions, working with clients from neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ communities.
- Career development opportunities such as accessing Long-Term Conditions or PWP Supervisor training, becoming a Champion, or applying for roles such as Step 2 Manager or Step 2 Clinical Lead
- We also lead interface meetings with Secondary Care services, to improve client journey
- As an extra bonus we will also pay the yearly fees for your BABCP registration
- We can consider different flexible working arrangements regardless of the length of service. This could look like condensed working patterns or moving working hours to support responsibilities, such as collecting your children from school.
We’re recruiting experienced Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners to join our WithYou NHS Talking Therapies service in Kent to provide high volume low intensity interventions based on self management interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, deliver computerised CBT through Silvercloud and carrying out patient centred assessments. To apply for this role, you should have, or be soon to complete training in CBT based low intensity interventions and hold BABCP or BPS accreditation (or eligibility towards obtaining the Accreditation). We are looking for an individual with previous experience of carrying out assessments related to mental health and working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression, in a Talking Therapies service.
Join our team as a valued PWP and you will be surrounded by like minded individuals, who value clinical excellence.
To hear first hand from PWPs that work in our service about why WithYou is a fantastic place to work you can watch the recording of this PWP Careers Event and read this Candidate Pack.
Diversity Statement
As an organisation, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our staff. We know that representing the communities we serve is key to us meeting our goals of radically improving people's lives. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team, including people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people and armed forces veterans.
Benefits:
We want you to love coming to work, feeling fulfilled, valued and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, that’s why we focus on the things that are important to you. These are a few of the great benefits that we offer:
- 28 days holiday plus a bank holiday allowance (pro rata for part-time staff)
- 2 days paid volunteer leave per year
- 1 additional day of annual leave for 5 years service
- Access to discounts at a range of retailers through the Blue Light Scheme
- Auto-enrollment into We Are With You’s pension scheme
- Flexible working opportunities including hybrid working
- Access to a range of services and resources to support you with your wellbeing
- Up to 6 month unpaid sabbaticals for career breaks, eligible after one year of service
- We have an excellent Refer a Friend scheme which offers you a £500 bonus for any recommendations, any role! Our scheme allows you to recommend your friends and family to work with us and earn a £500 bonus payment for every successful referral you make. Please note, the Refer a Friend scheme is only applicable if your recommended friend completes their 6 months probation period
Additional Information:
This is a permanent full time role for 37.5 hours per week. The position will be home based, but travel within Kent will be needed for in person client work in the community, team training and meetings. Should you be successful in your application, you will be required to provide 3 years worth of references and where applicable, will need to undergo an enhanced DBS check. IND HP
Essential Skills:
A full job description and person specification are available on request.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chief Executive Officer, Remote, 35 hrs Salary £90,097
GFS is a feminist organisation with a mission to empower girls and young women in England and Wales to live their best lives. Girls as young as 6 tell us that they cannot be themselves. This causes problems for them and society. So, we offer an early intervention service for girls living in areas of deprivation to have the greatest impact.
This is an exciting role with an opportunity to lead the charity into the 150th Year of delivery and with a new strategy to address need. It will involve working with the leadership team and all departments but also the board and their support committees, the ambassadors, and presidents as well as the wonderful team of volunteers across England and Wales.
A great deal has been done to prepare the organisation for such an important time and so now there is a real opportunity for this role to lead in being a figurehead for the charity and representing all that is achieved at GFS in national events and discussions, to best represent the girls of today.
Our new strategy is built around pillars of Impact, Brand and Sustainability with an ambition to grow in delivery as well as reputation. GFS is aware that the work done to listen to and amplify girls’ voices is important because they have so much to say about what needs to change and from a very young age. This role will be key to making this happen.
Equity, Diversity and inclusion is of strategic importance to GFS. We encourage applications from ethnically and racially minoritised, disabled and from LGBTQ+ people to build our best staff and volunteer teams and reflect the girls we serve.
This post is subject to a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service
Download the application pack and complete the application form in WORD and return by the closing date Friday 17th May.
Our mission is to support and inspire girls and young women. We create spaces where they feel safe and valued, building strong foundations.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.