Entry level jobs for the Housing and Homelessness sector in milton keynes

Salary: Grade 4 - £34,085 per annum

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Flexible with travel as required to deliver training – frequency will vary

Contract: Permanent

Closing date:  Sunday 18th May 2025 at 11.30pm

Do you have a good understanding of housing law and proven experience of preparing, planning and delivering training courses to individuals and groups, online and face to face? We are looking for a Trainer and you could soon be helping us to help better support professionals and their clients with housing problems.

About the Role

You will deliver training to a variety of external customers, focussing on housing and homelessness. The overall aim will be to support capacity and capability of the housing and homelessness sector to achieve better outcomes. You will need to keep your knowledge up to date and contribute the insights you gain from training delivery and observing our front-line services to develop existing and new courses, ensuring excellent quality and positive feedback. Also, you will participate in consultancy and mystery shopping as needed.

About you

To succeed, you will need experience of delivering and developing training courses which are engaging and interactive, along with a strong understanding of housing and homelessness law. You will also have a sound knowledge of IT tools such as webinar and e-learning platform and Microsoft applications.  The role will involve travel to deliver training as needed.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the team

You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team that delivers a range of second tier services to support those on the frontline to achieve positive outcomes for people with housing problems. These include training in housing and homeless prevention, housing law consultancy advice, housing debt casework, information and online resources and various targeted projects. We are a national team and work in conjunction with the wider organisation including Legal Services, Learning and Development, Business Support, Telephone and Online services and Operations teams.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and responses to the ‘About You’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each.

Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Recruitment Agencies

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Introduction to TDS

TDS is a not-for-profit organisation with a clear social purpose: to raise standards in the private rented sector. Established to create a fairer and more professional rental market by protecting deposits and resolving deposit disputes, TDS has since expanded its mission. Today, we invest in a range of additional services and initiatives that further our commitment to improving the sector.

Key initiatives relevant to this role include:
- Developing an influential research programme to ensure that laws and regulations are informed by robust evidence.
- Funding a range of projects and organisations through our two independent charities.
- Leveraging our direct communication channels with millions of tenants, landlords, and letting agents to educate and inform all parties.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Key initiatives relevant to this role include:
- Developing an influential research programme to ensure that laws and regulations are informed by robust evidence.
- Funding a range of projects and organisations through our two independent charities.
- Leveraging our direct communication channels with millions of tenants, landlords, and letting agents to educate and inform all parties.

Introduction to the Role

We are looking for a Research and Policy Officer (Maternity Cover) to join our expanding Policy and Research department, which also oversees the TDS Charitable Foundation. This is a pivotal role supporting our mission to improve standards in the private rented sector through impactful research, thought leadership, and policy engagement.
The successful candidate will play a key part in delivering our research programme, including overseeing flagship projects like the Voice of the Tenant and Voice of the Landlord surveys, and producing high-quality qualitative and quantitative research.

You will also support the smooth running of the Charitable Foundation’s grant-making and governance activities and contribute to our work influencing policy and practice across the UK’s private rented sector.
This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about housing, with a solid grounding in research and an interest in policy, to join a values-driven organisation delivering real-world impact.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Research
1. Collaborate with external research contractors to deliver the regular ‘Voice of the Tenant’ and ‘Voice of the Landlord’ Survey.
2. Ensure the research findings are widely disseminated through different channels, including events, publications, briefings and digital content.
3. Help identify research gaps and contribute to the development execution of new research projects or commissioning of external research.
4. Conduct proactive desk-based research to identify emerging trends, new policy developments, and partnership opportunities relevant to the Foundation and the sector.
5. Undertake in-house research activities, such as literature reviews, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, where required.
6. Contribute to the drafting and production of high-quality research reports and briefings, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and relevance for policy and practice audiences.

Policy
7. Monitor and analyse relevant legislative and regulatory developments, consultations, and debates, identifying implications for the sector and TDS’s work.
8. Support the development of TDS’s policy positions by preparing briefings, drafting responses to consultations, and summarising evidence from research.
9. Help communicate TDS’s policy insights and positions clearly and effectively to internal stakeholders, partners, and decision-makers.

Charity co-ordination
10. Act as a key point of contact for grant-funded projects, supporting projects to share progress and impact, and identify any support needs.
11. Help to Coordinate the TDS Charitable Foundation’s quarterly Board of Trustee meetings, including preparing board papers, taking minutes, and following up on actions.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential characteristics

1. Qualifications and experience
Essential:

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject.
• At least 3 years’ experience in research, social policy or similar role (or equivalent post-graduate study).
• Knowledge of research design
• Proven track record of producing content to communicate to different audiences.
• Experience of building relationships with external stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the housing sector or charitable work.

2.  Job Knowledge
Must be able to:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Show an ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrate organisational skills to help coordinate multiple projects.
• Utilise strong IT skills including sound knowledge of MS Office.
• Prove ability to write content for different audiences.

3. Communication
Must be able to:

• Work as part of a team;
• Have good interpersonal skills, communicating effectively with colleagues, funded projects and other stakeholders.

4. Equal Opportunities

• Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.

5. Required behaviour and attitude

• Applicants must be able to:
• demonstrate an affinity for customer excellence
• recognise the importance of fairness in all of our work
• demonstrate how they are making a difference in the work that they do
• is able to articulate the importance of teamwork
• are committed to excellence in all that we do;
• help create a great place to work.

TDS offers a plethora of benefits inclusive of:

• 33 days holiday inc bank holidays
• BUPA Private healthcare
• BUPA Wellbeing cash plan
• Pension Scheme
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Plus many more!

Hours of the role
35 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letting outlining how your skills and experience match the person specification.

TDS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our workforce and to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers.

Location: Flexible

Salary: Grade 4 - £34,085 per annum

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term until end of March 2026

Closing date: Monday 12th May 2025 at 11.30 pm

Are you a marketing professional looking for your next move? We have an exciting opportunity to join Shelter and our fight for home – you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.

About The Role

You will promote and market our Services for Professionals products such as Training and Consultancy services and our Expert Housing Advice Service, using a variety of methods including email, direct calls, webpages, social media. You will support the Marketing Manager to implement the marketing strategy and develop implementation plans.

About You

You will have substantial experience and understanding of marketing techniques, with excellent communication skills and an understanding of writing for professional audiences. Strong IT skills will also be needed, including practical experience of working with back - end web content applications, email marketing and campaign management systems.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About The Team

The team are multi disciplinary and deliver various second tier services such as training in housing and homelessness prevention and projects to support frontline staff to secure positive outcomes for their clients. We work closely with colleague in the Legal team, Learning and Development, Business Support and Telephone and Online Advice Services.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and responses to the ‘About You’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each.

Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
• We work together to achieve our shared purpose

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered,

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Recruitment Agencies

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Are you a passionate and creative communications expert with experience in the charity sector, excellent relationship-building abilities and a crafter of persuasive and powerful story telling that resonates with a variety of audiences? Can you deliver compelling communications and campaigns to help increase our income generation and raise our profile with potential supporters and champions? Do you want to be part of a dynamic, ambitious, joyful organisation? Then this could be the role for you!

We are going through an exciting growth phase at the Choir with No Name with new choirs launching and an ambitious strategy to increase our choirs across the UK from six to thirty by 2033. We are investing in our fundraising and comms function to grow our income in line with our bold strategy and delivery plans.

About us 

The Choir with No Name (CWNN) has been building supportive choir communities involving people impacted by homelessness and marginalisation since 2008. We were founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good; it is a welcome respite from the challenges life throws at you, and helps build confidence, skills and genuine, long-lasting friendships.

“I’m so happy to have found CWNN. It’s made such a difference to me. I’ve broken a 25-year cycle with drugs and honestly, I don’t think I could have done it without the choir. I’m not existing anymore, I’m living, and that’s huge.”

- Richard, choir member

Your role 

You will be responsible for the management, development and delivery of marketing and communications to support CWNN’s fundraising strategy. You’ll work alongside our Development Manager to create compelling fundraising campaigns, content and communications, growing engagement from individuals, companies, community fundraisers and potential funders while simultaneously raising our profile among stakeholders through strategic communications and marketing plans. This work includes:   

• Support our Development Manager to create and deliver impactful and innovative fundraising strategies including our public appeals, challenge events and local fundraising campaigns.

• Developing and implementing communications strategies to promote CWNN’s work, managing our social media platforms and external comms to ensure they reflect our strategic goals and values.

• Producing our e-newsletter, with support from the Development team, to ensure CWNN’s key work, impact, news and campaigns are effectively promoted to our supporter base.

• Create engaging digital content for our website and social media including written copy, video and graphics.

• Analysing campaign engagement KPIs to inform future strategies and approaches to best engage existing and new audiences.

• Create marketing materials for external use, eg. corporate pitch documents, fundraising packs, gig programmes, flyers and posters using Canva.

• Co-creating case studies, supporting members to share their stories, their way, amplifying their voices and demonstrating the impact of our choirs to stakeholders.

• Co-lead our co-produced ‘Digital Storytellers’ programme with our Community Participation Manager, supporting members to manage their own local social media accounts, sharing their stories and raising awareness of their choirs to new audiences.

• Maintain, organise and populate CWNN’s media library and YouTube channel.

• Write and distribute press releases to both regional and national press and media, fielding media enquiries and building our media contacts.

• Co-ordinate our internal communications programme, working with senior leadership team.

• Carry out any other tasks that arise that are within the scope and purpose of the post as requested by your line manager.

About you 

Essential:

• You’ll have a proven track record in delivering successful, innovative and impactful charity communications content and strategies.

• You’ll have a good understanding of how fundraising and engagement campaigns can convert individuals into donors and advocates.

• You’ll have a creative eye and strong writing skills, with experience of bringing compelling stories to life across various platforms and media, to connect with a diverse range of supporters, funders and stakeholders.

• You’ll be able to multitask effectively, be highly organised with strong attention to detail.

• You’ll be proactive, self-motivated and can identify and act on opportunities as they arise.

• You’ll be reliable with an ability to work independently and have fantastic planning skills. 

• You’ll have a deep understanding of how successful social media content and campaigns work, and always have an eye emerging digital trends and tech.

• You’ll be experienced in using design and web platforms (we use Canva, Squarespace, ClipChamp, Later) to create and deliver professional and impactful digital multi-media content.

• You’ll be committed to Choir with No Name’s values of integrity, fun, family and inclusion.

Desirable:

• You’ll have a passion for, or experience of, working with people impacted by homelessness and marginalisation, and an understanding of the power of the arts to change people’s lives.

• A love for singing is optional!

We are an equal opportunity employer and firmly believe that each team member can provide a unique perspective and valuable contribution to the lives of the people we work with, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnicity, religion or belief. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness. We follow an anonymous recruitment process. CVs will be requested at interview stage.

For full job description and details on how to apply, click on 'redirect to recruiter' at the top of the page.

Department: Programmes

Reports to: Head of Programmes

Location: Home-based, with travel across England, Scotland, and Wales

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus England bank holidays
• Employer pension contribution up to 5%
• Life insurance, critical illness cover & private health benefits
• 37.5-hour workweek

Note: This role requires travel with overnight stays across England, Scotland, and Wales.

About British Gas Energy Trust (BGET)

British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) supports individuals and families across England, Scotland, and Wales who are struggling with energy debt and financial hardship. This is an exciting opportunity to support the effective management of the Trust’s third party funded organisation grant programmes across England, Scotland and Wales

Key Responsibilities

· To act as the managerial point of contact between the Trust’s Grantees & the Trust ensuring programme materials up to date.

· To create documentation linked to grant programmes, such as Applications, Review Templates, Scoring Matrix and Grant Agreements.

· Build & manage positive “listening & learning” relationships with organisational grant applicants.

· Help ensure BGET learns from best practice delivery, and identify, recognize & respond to issues or opportunities as they arise.

· Undertaking both face to face and virtual monitoring visits as part of the project initiation, ongoing KPI and impact evaluation process, creating comprehensive follow-up reports and end of year reports.

· Ensure visibility & assurance of current policies and practice are in place with funded entities, identifying any risk to the Trust e.g. Safeguarding & Data Protection.

· Collect communication materials and help the Trust to amplify the voices of the organisations we support.

· In-put to the day-to-day contractual relationship with our Grant Management System provider, keeping data current and identifying improvements.

Reporting & Contract Management:

· Help ensure that organisations are supported to meet their obligations under their grant agreement, including KPIs and other reporting tools.  Including identifying risks to delivery and supporting the grantee to help resolve any challenges with delivery that impact on the grant obligations. 

· Collate comprehensive and clear feedback, data and information to monitor performance and impact on an ongoing and regular basis.

· Input into coordination, collection and analysis of Ofgem end of year reporting information.

· Ensure all data collection aligned to current Data Protection regulations and use and storage of data is in line with the Trust’s own policies and provide reassurance to the CEO and Board.

· Prepare clear and informative monthly programme updates and support the preparation of quarterly programme reports to the Board to clearly evidence operational delivery across the grant portfolio. 

· Ensure that the outcomes and KPI information are used to create impact reports during the contract period.

· Conduct monitoring visits to funded projects, (in person and online) ensuring accurate briefing notes and write up of meetings are compiled and logged appropriately.

· Establish clear reporting systems with each grant organisation and ensure accurate notes of quarterly meetings with portfolio of projects.

· Work with Finance to ensure grant funds are expended in line with grant agreements and any regulatory requirements.

· Ensure accurate data is in place for year-end reporting.

Knowledge Sharing

· Identify and develop opportunities for the organisational grant applicants to work collaboratively and share learning.

· Create and deliver events for our projects either online or annually at our Annual Advisors Gathering.

· Ensure case studies and other content is collated from the projects to share through our channels.

Person Specification:

Skills and Knowledge:
Essential:

· Strong project management skills, with relevant project management software training.

· Good written communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.

· Strong at operational and project management with the ability to meet deadlines.

· Accuracy and attention to detail with a methodical approach.

· Flexible approach to changing circumstances, prepared to re-order priorities as required. 

· Practical “can do” approach with ability to manage multiple work streams.

· Highly adept at Office 365 and Excel, technically confident in managing Grant Management systems.

· Significant experience monitoring grant programmes including KPI reporting, assessment and write-up.

· Excellent written communication skills, with an ability to communicate with confidence to a wide range of individuals and audiences.

· Excellent analytical & numerical skills with the ability to interpret data and share insights.

Desirable:

· Stakeholder management experience

Experience:

· A proven track record of managing effective operational delivery of impact focused grant making projects or programmes. Including grant programme design.

· Experience of developing and managing positive, equitable partnerships.

· Responsibility for managing our Grant Management System including establishing reporting systems and dashboards for the Senior Leadership Team and Board.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in communities across the UK, working directly with organisations that deliver tangible support to those who need it most. If you are passionate about tackling fuel poverty and have the skills to drive a high-impact programmes initiative, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship and the successful candidate must hold the right to work in the United Kingdom. 

A basic DBS check is a requirement of this role. 

* We are not accepting requests to work with third party recruiters for this or any other vacancy. *