Community Development Officer

Role Summary
To support the development and delivery of community development projects that deliver successful, measurable outcomes for TCH residents and communities, often working in conjunction with other TCH teams and external partners to achieve those outcomes.
The projects will focus on our key Community Investment Strategy themes; currently: tackling poverty and inequality; embedding well-being; customer co-creation and sharing power; community activities and programmes.
The role links with others across the organisation including our internal Customer Insight and Resident Engagement teams to understand our communities and supports our wider housing teams to deliver initiatives for the benefit of our residents.
Whilst hybrid working applies to this role – there is an expectation that up to 3 days a week can be worked remotely and that 2 days a week are to be worked either in any TCH office (currently located in Epsom, Tunbridge Wells and Womenswold) and/or a business-need-focused community location. Due to the diverse geographic location of TCH homes, applicants will need access to a car (that can be used for work with appropriate insurance), a full driving license and a willingness to travel between locations across Epsom, Kent and East Sussex.
Salary: £32,505
Hours: 35
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Epsom or East Kent (These are our main offices and happy for the successful person to be based at the nearest site to them)
Contract: Permanent
Probation Period: 6 months
Notice Period: 1 month
Role Specific Responsibilities
Support the development and delivery of existing and new projects, initiatives and services that meet the aims of the Community Investment Strategy.
To support community delivery partners (as required) with resources to make well evidenced and effective bids for external funding, in order to sustain and extend existing and future community investment projects.
Ensure these projects are outcome focused, that programmes/services are responsive to residents’ needs and reflect best practice and corporate priorities and meet regulatory expectations.
To co-ordinate Community Investment projects and activities working in conjunction with residents, the wider organisation, contractors, and community partners.
Support the effective monitoring and evaluation of community investment projects, ensuring that monitoring returns are received in agreed timescales and are accurate and outcome focused. Produce relevant performance reports and data as required.
To provide support for the effective brokerage, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of social value across TCH contracts.
Use customer data and insight to support our Community Investment work and to help build links with sections of the community who are not currently accessing our services.
Attend networking and best practice groups as required. Maintain awareness of relevant government legislation and sector best practice and use this to inform your work on local activities and initiatives.
Support the Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) process, helping to develop and monitor project briefs, donation frameworks, and grant funding (when grant processes are open), that respond to social needs and include measurable milestones, outputs and outcomes, budget management, risk mitigation and procurement. Manage service level agreements and freelance contractors.
In conjunction with colleagues ensure that all areas of service delivery are effectively monitored and evaluated via the application of impact assessments, key performance indicators, social value outcomes and value for money reporting.
Contribute to the review and development of systems, processes, and services to support TCH’s customer experience and service improvement aspirations, including through learning from complaints and feedback, and implementing change.
Support our 3rd sector charity partners in ways that help them meet our residents’ needs, including supporting them to understand need and priorities based on data and resident insight.
In conjunction with your manager and the PR & Communications Team promote community investment and social value projects, and outcomes. To demonstrate to residents, colleagues, and other stakeholders how we make a positive contribution to the neighbourhoods in which we work, that we listen to residents’ views and act on them and how projects and initiatives demonstrate our approach to treating residents fairly and with respect.
General
To adhere to the equality, diversity and inclusion policy and actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
Recognise, respect, and promote the different roles and diversity of individuals.
To actively contribute towards the key performance indicators and professional standards.
Work in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Law and be responsible for the integrity of personal information you process. This may include identifying anomalies in data and investigating and correcting them where appropriate. Ensure you attend training on data protection regularly.
To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant EC directives.
To participate in training, attend other meetings, and staff events as required.
Be an effective member of your team, presenting a positive impression of your section and the Group.
Take responsibility for recognising and recording customer complaints, however made, and ensure that any complaints allocated to you are responded to within policy requirements.
Maintain professional curiosity in all interactions with residents, be aware of and report and record any potential safeguarding issues promptly and appropriately.
Maintain awareness of budget requirements and value for money while delivering your role.
Consider and highlight any risk to the organisation or individuals whilst delivering your role.
Consider resident feedback (the resident voice) in all service delivery, using data and insight and actively engaging with residents to understand their needs, views and priorities and tailor services accordingly.
This role will involve visiting other offices and stock and you will be required to have your own car and full driving licence.
About You
Education & Qualifications
CIH level 4 qualification or above or willing to work towards - Desirable.
Degree or equivalent in a related subject - Desirable.
Key Skills & Competencies
Demonstrable experience of supporting innovative projects and supporting with project work. - Desirable.
Experience of using a range of local, regional, and national funding streams. - Desirable.
Experience of writing and/or supporting external funding applications e.g. The National Lottery Community Fund etc - Desirable.
Demonstrable experience of partnership working. - Essential.
Experience of customer engagement work and experience of measuring impact of residents on service delivery and improvements. - Essential.
A good knowledge of the key issues around employment, skills, and training/digital inclusion/financial inclusion. - Essential.
Experience of supporting with the development and management of programmes, across a wide geographical area and with multiple stakeholders. - Desirable.
Knowledge of the Social Value Act and how the organisation might utilise corporate social responsibility to its advantage. - Desirable.
Knowledge of community-orientated research methods, including evaluation/monitoring techniques. - Desirable.
Experience of commissioning services, managing freelance/external contractors, contracts, and service level agreements. - Desirable.
Experience of interpreting and acting upon government legislation and best practice. - Desirable.
Good IT skills. - Essential.
Behaviours
Resilient, positive, and proactive in all circumstances - Essential.
Good negotiation and influencing skills. - Essential.
An effective communicator who uses a range of appropriate methods. - Essential.
Ability to work positively with a range of external and internal audiences.- Essential.
A positive, innovative, forward thinking and outcomes focused approach.- Essential.
Results focused.- Essential.
Analytical skills, able to analyse information and data logically and reach sound conclusions.- Essential.
Relationship management.- Essential.
Commitment to great customer service.- Essential.
Why Choose Us
Contributory pension scheme 4% to 10% matched contributions
Hybrid working
Free onsite car parking
Life assurance of 4x annual salary (Terms and Conditions apply)
30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
Two volunteer days per year
Employee assistance programme (24/7 telephone advice, information portal & face to face counselling sessions)
Corporate eye care scheme providing free eye tests and free VDU glasses or contribution towards VDU glasses
Extensive annual Staff Wellbeing programme
Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave provision
Flexible annual benefits (for dental, healthcare, shopping vouchers, technology etc.)
Annual flu vaccinations
Access to an extensive range of corporate discounts on shopping, travel & days out
Social events, including lunchtime walking, rounders, festive Fridays
Travel loan
Applicants
Please complete our online application form by clicking the Apply button below. We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward, so we strongly encourage early applications.
Please note: As an employer, Town & Country Housing does not provide sponsorship as a licensed UK employer.
Key dates
Applications Close:
Friday, 26 July 2024
Interview Date:
Wednesday, 7 August 2024

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