SUMMARY OF ROLE 

The Housing Officer will be responsible for engaging with all types of property owners and other stakeholders in supporting the onboarding of accommodation pledges in rental and shared accommodation to the IRC Register of Pledges and to accommodate programme refugees to gain sustainable housing across the state.  

ROLE RESPONSIBLILTIES 

• Communicate and meet with, as necessary, property owners interested in offering accommodation to IRC, providing them with necessary information and facilitating their onboarding;
• Support management of existing IRC housing properties to ensure they are effectively managed and compliant;
• Liaise with programme managers, caseworker teams, housing and pledge support teams internally to ensure fast and efficient delivery of suitable accommodation with due consideration to the individual requirements of each programme.
• Support management of existing IRC housing properties to ensure they are effectively managed and compliant;
• Arrange for and carry out property assessments and reports, including Inspections, in line with relevant standards and associated regulatory bodies including PRSA licensing;
• Maintain an excellent knowledge of social housing, social protection and the social welfare system as well as local authority processes and procedures;
• Maintain an understanding of Building Control regulations and familiarity with Housing Standards and Regulations in Ireland;
• Continuously review the Register of Pledges CRM, ensuring that all accommodation pledges are fully engaged.
• Prepare information – both general and tailored – for property owners who potentially could pledge accommodation to IRC
• Oversee the provision of small-scale repairs which are supported to bring pledged accommodations onboard;
• Develop relationships with property owners to build sustainable housing options as may be relevant to the programme;
• Ensure that proper agreements and/or licences for accommodations and/or other IRC properties are in place and are meeting compliance requirements; 
• Support and facilitate information awareness sessions for property owners and programme beneficiaries, on the issue of property/housing, in line with programme objectives. 

Organisationally 

• Work actively towards the achievement of the Irish Red Cross Migration Department goals;
• Undertake training and development as required;
• Abide by and uphold the Principles of the Irish Red Cross and the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement;
• Undertake any other reasonable work-related duties and responsibilities assigned by line management that are consistent with the nature of the job and level of responsibility. 

ROLE REQUIREMENTS 

Essential Criteria 

• Certified in carrying out property assessments in line with relevant procedures and regulations, licensed by the PRSA or equivalent;
• At least three years of experience working with the Irish Social Housing Sector, general Housing & Property Management and good working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Acts;
• Experience of working in the social and voluntary housing sector and/or associated experience;
• Experience in dealing with Irish Local Authority frameworks and key statutory authorities;
• Proven experience of the private rented sector in Ireland and assessing housing supports;
• Familiarity with HAP, RAS and Rent Supplement, essential.
• Experience of dealing with contractors in respect of repairs, maintenance and refits.
• Computer literacy and the proficient use of Microsoft Office and other software applications including CRM Systems;
• Full clean driving licence and access to own transport;
• Proven organisational skills with an ability to work independently. 

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience working with the migration sector
• Experience working in complex community and stakeholder environments.
• Familiarity with the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the Fundamental Principles. 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

The Irish Red Cross offers the following benefits in addition to salary  

• Up to 5% employers' matching contribution to a company contributory pension scheme. 
• Closure of the office on Good Friday, plus two additional ‘privilege days’ to be used at Easter and Christmas respectively.  
• Death in Service benefit of four times salary.
• Flexible working hours, including opportunities for hybrid working. 
• Further education, training and learning supports. 
• Professional subscriptions (as applicable).
• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets).

The Irish Red Cross is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications for people from all sections of the community, irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

This role requires applicants to have the right to work in Ireland.