Procurement Officers x4 Grade 10 (£42,324 £44,331)

Croydon is a diverse borough, and our vision is to create great homes, places, and communities to enhance life opportunities. As part of our vision to transform housing services the Housing Needs & Homelessness Service has been redesigned. Our ambition is to create a service which is fair and accessible, where residents are active participants in their journey towards finding a settled home.
If you are passionate about tackling homelessness in Croydon, improving services for residents and working in a fast paced and rewarding environment, come and join us. As a Procurement Officer you will support in developing and implementing new initiatives to private rented sector landlords to increase the supply of properties to ensure that supply meets demand.
Role Overview
Your role will involve leading and managing the procurement of accommodation, working to ensure that individuals and families receive appropriate housing solutions in a timely and effective manner. You will be responsible for driving initiatives to increase the supply of private rented sector (PRS) accommodation, working closely with landlords, letting agents, and other stakeholders to ensure housing needs are met. Areas of responsibility include:
o Commissioning and procurement of accommodation: Lead the commissioning and procurement of various accommodation types, including temporary accommodation, direct lets, and private rented sector (PRS) properties, ensuring effective contract monitoring and service delivery.
o Stakeholder relationship management: Promote and market key PRS schemes to landlords, letting agents, developers, and external partners, ensuring high-quality relationship management and sustained engagement with key stakeholders.
o To be responsible for negotiating and procuring excellent quality accommodation across the private sector both temporary and PRS for homeless households and prevention
o To ensure that all properties acquired meet housing standards and legal procurement framework conduct inspection and inventories

· In-depth Knowledge of Housing Legislation: Strong understanding of homelessness legislation. Familiar with landlord-tenant legislation, including the Housing Act 1985 and the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
· Experience of welfare benefits: Detailed working knowledge of the welfare benefits system and its practical application in housing support.
· Private Rented Sector (PRS) Expertise: Excellent knowledge of the private rented sector housing market, including contracts, customer issues, and the needs of landlords, alongside an understanding of homeless prevention initiatives and their effectiveness.
· Prioritisation and Risk Management: Ability to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced environment, identify business risks early, and work with colleagues to address issues, while maintaining performance targets and meeting service delivery goals.
· Excellent Communication and Negotiation Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly to diverse audiences. Effective negotiation and liaison skills to successfully promote housing options and engage stakeholders.

· Career Development: Take advantage of professional growth opportunities and a rewarding career path. We invest in our staff and support their development.
· Generous Benefits Package: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including a Local Government Pension Scheme, up to 31 days of annual leave (eligibility criteria apply), and a commitment to your well-being and work-life balance. Access to the confidential and free Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
· Family Friendly provisions: Generous maternity leave and family leave provisions
· Make a Difference: Be part of a council that is dedicated to improving the lives of its residents through effective and compassionate housing management.
· Work Life Balance: Options for flexible and agile working options in line with service demand
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Full Time 36 Hours
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Application Closing Date: 15th January 2025
Assessment Centres: Week Commencing 27th January 2025
Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.