Policy & Performance Officer (Property & Housing Services) - Epping Forest District Council
Epping, Essex
Full-Time | Temporary Contract
36 Hours per Week
Hourly Rate: £19.00 - £20.00 PAYE / £24.37 - £25.60 Umbrella
Hybrid Working - Minimum 1 Day per Week Onsite
Closing Date: Monday 9th November 2026
Essex County Council is delighted to be supporting Epping Forest District Council in the recruitment of an experienced Policy & Performance Officer to join their Property & Housing Services team on an initial 6-month contract.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced policy professional with a strong background in local government, housing policy, research, and performance management to play a key role in shaping housing services and strategic direction within the district.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who have worked within a Local Authority or Registered Social Landlord (RSL) environment and have a proven ability to undertake complex research, analyse housing data, develop evidence-based strategies, and influence service improvement.
About the Role
This role will be instrumental in supporting Epping Forest District Council's vision of "creating great places where people want to live."
Working closely with senior stakeholders and partner organisations, you will lead on the development of a new Local Supported Housing Strategy, ensuring compliance with the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 and supporting the Council's wider housing objectives.
Success in this role will require exceptional analytical and research skills, an understanding of the regulatory landscape affecting local government housing services, and the ability to transform complex data and evidence into meaningful policy recommendations.
You will also be responsible for strengthening performance management frameworks, supporting statutory reporting requirements, and ensuring the Council remains inspection-ready in line with Housing Regulator expectations.
Key Responsibilities
- Policy Development & Research
- Lead the development of the Council's Local Supported Housing Strategy in line with legislative requirements.
- Conduct detailed research and needs analysis, evaluating housing supply, demand, demographic trends, and unmet need across the district.
- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations that support service improvement and strategic decision-making.
- Consult with tenants, residents, community groups and partner agencies to ensure strategies reflect local needs and priorities.
- Coordinate the review and development of housing policies and strategies, ensuring compliance with changing legislation and best practice.
- Performance & Data Analysis
- Develop and maintain the Property & Housing Services performance management framework.
- Analyse complex housing and operational data, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Produce high-quality performance reports, satisfaction analysis, and annual service reviews for senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Monitor compliance with statutory data collection and reporting requirements, ensuring accurate and timely submissions.
- Governance & Corporate Responsibilities
- Ensure decision-making processes and governance requirements are effectively supported.
- Contribute to corporate planning, service planning and policy development activities.
- Support Housing & Property Services in meeting regulatory obligations and preparing for inspections.
- Promote excellence in governance, risk management, safeguarding, equality, transparency and service delivery.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
Essential Experience
- Significant experience working within a Local Authority, Housing Association, Registered Social Landlord (RSL), or similarly complex public sector organisation
- Demonstrable experience in policy development, strategy creation, research, performance management, and data analysis
- Experience conducting robust research and translating findings into practical policy recommendations and service improvements
- Strong understanding of the challenges, priorities, and legislative framework affecting local government and housing services
- Experience producing reports, briefings, and presentations for a range of audiences including senior leaders and elected members
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes to tight deadlines
Knowledge & Skills
You'll possess:
- Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to interpret complex datasets and identify meaningful trends and insights.
- Outstanding report-writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, capable of building productive relationships across organisations and sectors.
- A detailed understanding of current local government, housing, and regulatory issues.
- Experience using data and performance information to inform strategic decisions and service improvements.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a high-profile piece of strategic housing work while making a tangible impact on local communities.
You'll play a vital role in shaping future housing provision, influencing policy development, improving services, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
If you are an experienced local government policy professional with a strong background in research, strategy development, housing services, and performance management, we would love to hear from you.
How to Apply
To find out more or to apply, please visit the Working for Essex website.
For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact:
Ashleigh.Drake@essex.gov.uk
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role would particularly suit candidates with previous experience as a Policy Officer, Strategy Officer, Housing Policy Officer, Performance Officer, Business Intelligence Officer, Housing Strategy Manager, Research Officer, or Service Improvement Officer within a Local Authority or Housing Association setting.