We are looking for a confident communicator who has a high commitment to customer care to join our team for a period of 24 months. WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will strengthen housing partnerships between the planning and housing service and duty-to-refer organisations, and registered housing providers. This role is best suited for a strong communicator with great partnership skills who can help both our homelessness team and our housing strategy team to work effectively with partner organisations including registered housing providers and other housing related stakeholders. You will work within the governance framework of the County Durham Strategic Housing Board making sure we are delivering the actions of our strategies with specific regard to the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. Specifically on Duty-to-Refer (DTR), there is a need to communicate the role of our homelessness team with public bodies who have a responsibility under the DTR to notify local authorities when they think someone may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. We encourage you to contact Peter Ollivere, Strategy, Partnerships & Commissioning Manager via email at peter.ollivere@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role. WHAT WILL I NEED? You will need:- NVQ Level 4 or equivalent Experience of public speaking and presenting to different organisations Experience of working with partners Experience of managing people and projects An understanding of local, regional and national policy relating to homelessness and housing Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held on 5 or 6 November 2025. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran. BENEFITS AND REWARDS We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best: Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service. Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year. Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year). Hybrid working (home and office working). Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS. Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme. Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring. Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers). Discounted DCC gym membership. Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause. Trade Union membership. A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits SOCIAL MEDIA Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council! Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/ Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers HYBRID WORKING Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce HOW TO APPLY In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal. Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed. If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email on RecruitmentREG@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 262727 – Option 5 PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL. We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf VPRS/161