Policy and Operations Officer (Almshouses)

About us

The Merchant Taylors’ Company dates from 1327, when it was formed as a social and religious organisation for tailors and linen-armourers dedicated to St John the Baptist. Today, it is a flourishing Livery Company whose members are dedicated to education, fraternity, and philanthropy.

Members play active roles in philanthropy through volunteering their time, skills, and donations to empower charities local to the Company's key areas of work and support through governance and volunteering opportunities a number of affiliated schools across the United Kingdom as well as to exceptional individual students.

Fraternity and community are rooted in the Company’s ancient beginnings, when members worked together in order to take care of one another in poor health, old age and through unstable economic times.

About Merchant Taylors’ Boones Charity (MTBC)

MTBC is a charitable arm of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, with a vision to be a long term provider of high quality almshouses in the Borough of Lewisham that improves lives across the generations.

Almshouse dwellings for ‘low needs’ young people affected by homeless – this Youth Almshouses project is at the business planning phase, with the accommodation due to open in a few years’ time. The current proposal is that MTBC will build the accommodation and an experienced Partner Charity will manage it under a lease.

Independent living almshouse flats for people aged 57+ in financial need: Christopher Boone’s Court - MTBC has 34 flats in this luxurious new development, leased from One Housing Group. The remaining flats are owned by One Housing Group’s private tenants in the same age range.

About the role

Reports to: The Head of Philanthropy

Direct reports: None

Places of work: The Hall (Bank, London), Christopher Boone’s Court (South London).

Travel: Some travel may be required within Greater London in connection with various aspects of the role. Occasional travel may be required within the UK, primarily in connection with the Youth Almshouses project.

Key collaborative relationships within Merchant Taylors’: Youth Almshouses Project Group, Company Surveyor, Membership and Communications Team, Finance Team

Overview of role:

The postholder leads the development of policy on issues such as independent living and financial subsidy to make a positive difference to the lives of older people in financial hardship at our site in Lewisham. The postholder manages operations at that site, with an emphasis on efficient systems.

The postholder is part of the small team responsible for developing our project to house young people, being versatile about the tasks they undertake to bring this complex and exciting project to fruition.

The postholder is the lead staff member reporting to the Housing and Care Committee on the resident-related issues in our provision of almshouse accommodation. The post holder leads on fulfilling MTBC’s obligations to regulatory bodies such as the Charity Commission and Regulator of Social Housing.

Responsibilities and Duties

Youth Almshouses project: planning phase

[This phase has already started. There is a separate section of this Job Description relating to once construction has finished, estimated to be 2028]

Contributes to all aspects of the planning phase of the Youth Almshouses project and building relationships with key third parties. Non-exhaustive examples of milestones due in this phase for the project team to which this role belongs are:

o Agreeing appropriate business model and site design with the Partner Charity

o Conclusive professional advice on all aspects

o Concluding legal agreements with the Partner Charity

o Any regulatory issues concluded

o Planning permission granted

o Publicity

o Contracts in place with all parties relevant to construction

Management of the charity

• Presents information to assist decision-making, for example written reports and analysis of financial data for the trustees
• Manages MTBC’s affairs at Christopher Boone’s Court

Finance, Legal and Governance

• Leads on all financial matters affecting our residents at Christopher Boone’s Court.
• Completes annual returns to regulatory bodies
• Contributes to business continuity plan, review of relevant policies, preparation of MTBC’s annual report and accounts, budgeting cycle and monitoring performance against budget.
• Ensures that MTBC is up to date in complying with regulatory regimes of the Charity Commission, Regulator of Social Housing, the Housing Ombudsman and any other relevant regulatory bodies.

Data Protection

Promotes a ‘data protection by design’ approach to ensure that MTBC is compliant with data protection principles.

Policy, Development and Improvement

• Leads policy development on independent living, financial subsidy of residents, and any other relevant policy issues relating to residents of Christopher Boone’s Court or the planned youth accommodation.
• Keeps up to date with regulatory changes and best practice learning relevant to almshouse charities which are Registered Providers of Social Housing
• Drives forward change to reflect that learning, for the benefit of MTBC.
• Seeks appropriate specialist advice.

Information Technology and Residents

Encourages and develops the use and availability of technology to make residents at Christopher Boone’s Court confident with accessing online services.

Communications

Writes communications about MTBC and its activities for a wide variety of stakeholders.

Property Management

Arranges any repairs/maintenance at Christopher Boone’s Court which are MTBC’s responsibility.

Monitors whether One Housing Group and MTBC’s tenant at Archbishop Coggan House are carrying out all tests required by statute or lease obligations. Reports non-compliance and any unsatisfactory test results to the Company Surveyor’s team.

Assists the Company Surveyor’s team in arrangements for long term planned maintenance at the Youth Almshouses.

MTBC residents at Christopher Boone’s Court

• Leads strategy and implements all communications, arrangements and process to ensure MTBC’s almshouse flats are occupied
• Establishes an efficient system for monitoring residents’ ability to live independently
• Leads on operating all policies relating to residents’ behaviour (eg Anti-Social Behaviour)
• Drives forward and resolves ‘pastoral’ cases with a proportionate approach
• Assists in dealing with safeguarding cases in accordance with protocols
•  Leads on ending individual residents’ rights to live at Christopher Boone’s Court, through the appropriate internal and court processes, including instructing lawyers.
• Ensures that an ARC concessionary TV licence is in force for MTBC residents at Christopher Boone’s Court.
• Organises traditional annual events involving the Merchant Taylors’ Company.

Relationships with third parties

Christopher Boone’s Court:

• Ensures that One Housing Group and any other relationship partners meet agreed performance levels/contractual responsibilities to MTBC.
• Works proactively with One Housing Group to promote a cohesive, empowered community of residents at Christopher Boone’s Court, ensuring as far as reasonably possible that there is a common and consistent approach to MTBC and non-MTBC residents, and common opportunities for them.

Youth Almshouses after construction has finished (est. 2028):

• Acts as the key point of contact between the Partner Charity managing the accommodation, Merchant Taylors’ and its Client Project Manager, leading on operational issues.
• Notifies all construction latent defects to MTBC’s Client Project Manager.
• Leads on the Partner Charity’s performance level against the lease and service agreement.
• Assists as required in procuring periodic renewal and/or re-negotiation of lease and service agreement between MTBC and the Partner Charity, or a new lease and agreement with a replacement Partner Charity

Essential (skills, experience, qualifications)

• Educated to degree level
• Interest in economic/social policy issues relevant to the types of people eligible to live at the proposed youth almshouses and Christopher Boone’s Court.
• Able to take responsibility while maintaining good communication and accountability
• Proactive with a problem-solving aptitude
• A fast learner who’s able to interpret complex information
• Good commercial awareness and financial understanding
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Always reviewing and looking at ways to improve existing processes
• Good IT skills

Desirable

CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your CV and cover letter.

Please don’t use generative AI. 

Your cover letter should explain why you think  you are a good fit for this role.