Housing Strategy Officer

Overview

Secondment opportunity to cover maternity leave

We are looking for someone to join our Housing Strategy team on a secondment basis to cover maternity leave. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to try their hand in the world of strategy, policy development and partnership working, while being part of a small but highly supportive team.

The main focus of the role will be to support the final stages of the emerging Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, helping to keep the work moving forward through internal governance, partner engagement and final preparation for approval. The role will also coordinate the Homelessness Forum, making sure meetings are well planned, actions are followed up and partners remain engaged in the work.

This role would suit someone who is organised, confident working with different people and able to turn information into clear, practical outputs. You do not need to have worked in strategy before, but an interest in housing, homelessness, partnership working and how council decisions are made would be a real advantage.

About us

This pivotal role sits within Buckinghamshire Council’s new Housing Service within our busy and friendly Housing Options & Supply team. The team provides advice and support to customers in relation to social housing applications, lettings of housing, affordable housing development, supply and procurement, management of temporary accommodation and the councils private rent schemes. The team works very closely with the Homelessness and Advice team to achieve the service aim to prevent and relieve homelessness.

About the role

As Housing Strategy Officer, you will support a range of work across housing strategy, homelessness and rough sleeping, policy development and partnership engagement. You will work closely with colleagues across the Council, as well as external partners, to help shape and deliver work that makes a difference for residents.

Key parts of the role will include:

• Supporting the final stages of the emerging Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
• Helping to coordinate governance, reports, briefings and approvals linked to the strategy
• Coordinating the Homelessness Forum, including agendas, papers, actions and follow-up
• Working with colleagues and partners to gather information, track progress and support delivery
• Helping to turn evidence, feedback and discussion into clear written updates and recommendations
• Supporting wider housing strategy work as needed.

About you

We are looking for someone who is proactive, organised and able to work well with others. You will need to be comfortable managing deadlines, bringing information together and keeping people updated. Good written communication skills will be important, as the role will involve preparing notes, updates, reports and briefings.

It would be particularly helpful if you are familiar with the Council’s governance processes, or if you have experience supporting meetings, boards or decision-making routes. An understanding of housing, homelessness or local government would also be useful, but we are equally interested in someone with the right skills, curiosity and willingness to learn.

You will be joining a small, friendly and supportive team. We will make sure you have guidance, space to ask questions and the opportunity to build your confidence in strategy work.

What we can offer:

• A chance to gain practical experience in strategy, governance and partnership working
• Exposure to a high-profile area of work linked to homelessness and rough sleeping
• The opportunity to work with a wide range of internal and external partners
• Support from an experienced and approachable team
• Space to develop new skills and understand how strategy work supports service delivery and outcomes for residents.

Other information

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

Closing date: 13th July 2026

Interviews: 16th and 17th July 2026 - TBC

Interviews will be in person.

If you are interested in developing your skills, working on an important area of council business and being part of a supportive team, we would welcome your application.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Belinda Dimmock-Smith.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/