INCOME SPECIALIST (HOUSING OFFICER)
CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING IRELAND (CHI) is the national organisation
representing, promoting, and developing co-operative housing in
Ireland. Since our foundation in * we have
provided over 8, * homes through homeownership,
shared ownership and social rented co-operatives. CHI currently
employs approximately * colleagues.
We are committed to sustaining our current development pipeline by
adding between * – *
new homes every year. The majority of our homes are wholly owned by
the organisation and we manage over 5. * homes
across Ireland.
We are members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social
Partnership and participate in numerous forums on housing and social
policy. Internationally, we are members of Housing Europe and the
International Cooperative Alliance, including its sector groups,
Cooperatives Europe and Cooperative Housing International.
CHI is a Tier 3 Approved Housing Body and registered charity and is
subject to regulation by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory
Authority and the Charities Regulator. CHI is a member of the Housing
Alliance.
GOVERNANCE
Co-operative Housing Ireland is governed by a board who are
responsible for the organisation achieving its strategic aims,
remaining commercially viable and the overall governance of the
organisation. The Board is currently chaired by Pearse O’Shiel and
is comprised of * members.
FINANCIALS
In the year ending December *, CHI had a year
of strong performance with total income of €**Apply on the
website**. *m. During the same period, its total
expenditure was € *. *m.
THE POSITION
JOB TITLE: Income Specialist
REPORTS TO: Income and Financial Inclusion Manager
PLACE OF WORK: Dublin
DURATION: Full-Time / Permanent Role (subject to 6 months Probation)
SALARY: € *, * –
*, *p.a. (depending on
skills, qualifications & experience)
ROLE OVERVIEW
The purpose of the role is to pursue and collect income owed to CHI.
To deliver services of high quality, replicating high standards
continually, achieving, and exceeding performance targets.
This is a full-time permanent role based on a **Apply on the
website**-hour week (Monday to Friday), although some evening working
will be required.
The role is based in CHI’s Avondale office, located at **Apply on
the website** Avondale Park, Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin, but our way of
working means that hybrid-working (a mix of office-based working and
working from home and other locations) is normal.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
INCOME / ARREARS MANAGEMENT
RENT ACCOUNTS AND SUNDRY DEBTS:
* Monitor rent accounts and follow procedure to ensure income is
collected promptly.
* Work alongside tracing agencies and debt recover agents to ensure
income from former and sundry debtors is maximised.
* Ensure customers and former customers are contacted at the
appropriate times to secure rent payments and to address increasing
arrears.
* Prepare regular write-off and archive reports where debts are
deemed not to be pursuable and writing back accounts where necessary.
* Work effectively with the Contact Centre and other internal
service areas in order to deliver a holistic package of housing
related services to customers.
LEGAL ACTION:
* Process court applications.
* Effectively prepare and present cases for court, challenging
representations made by tenants and representatives to secure the best
outcome for the organisation.
WELFARE BENEFITS:
* Provide accurate advice and assistance to customers in order to
maximise income for customers.
* Refer customers to internal and external agencies as appropriate.
* Work proactively with Neighbourhood Specialists to identify
customers who require home visits.
* Represent CHI at external meetings including but not exclusive to
Court User Groups, Local Authority liaison groups and meetings with
Department of Social Protection representatives.
FINANCIAL INCLUSION
REFERRALS:
* Manage financial inclusion referrals, including visiting customers
at their homes and on site, recording and measuring the outcomes.
BENEFITS AND DEBT ADVICE:
* Support customers to maximise their income by assisting with
benefit applications and help customers to make appeals when
necessary.
CUSTOMER ADVOCACY:
* Act as customer advocates, including supporting and representing
customers at assessment and tribunal hearings.
PARTNERSHIP WORKING:
* Work alongside external partner organisations to ensure that
customers have access to all available support and advice to bring
about financially sustainable tenancies.
* Be the organisation and customer contact with Department of Social
Protection, supporting customers through their benefit claims.
* Work closely with the neighbourhood team to ensure that local
income, poverty, and deprivation issues are addressed.
CAMPAIGNS:
* Contribute to internal and external publicity and communication
campaigns in our neighbourhoods relating to financial inclusion.
* Assist in the production and delivery of an annual financial
inclusion action plan.
TRAINING:
* Deliver training for colleagues in Housing Services & Community
Engagement and the wider business on matters concerning financial
inclusion as and when required.
CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
* Knowledge and awareness of related housing regulations/ law.
* Experience of dealing with debt collection.
* Knowledge of welfare benefits.
* Experience of developing partnership working with support
agencies, local authorities, and community groups.
* Good understanding of the social, economic, and political context
in the neighbourhoods in which we operate.
* An understanding of the RTB and Court rules and procedures, and
relevant government legislation, for dealing with debt.
* IT skills – Proficient in the use of Microsoft office.
* Permission to work in Ireland.
* Educated to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent.
* A full, clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle
DESIRABLE:
* Relevant professional qualification
* Experience presenting cases in Court.
SUMMARY CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
* SALARY: Competitive salary commensurate with experience. (CHI
operates a performance-based salary model that allows for annual
salary increases on a set salary range through performance).
* ANNUAL LEAVE: Annual leave will be * days
(exclusive of * public holidays), plus an
additional 3 Privilege days per year. Annual leave increases through
length of service and can also be additionally accrued as paid time
off in lieu of overtime (TOIL).
* PENSION: Co-operative Housing Ireland offers a defined
contribution pension scheme. Employees have access to the scheme on
successful completion of their six-month probationary period.
* TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: Continuous professional development,
training & further education courses, study & exam leave, and
professional membership fees are paid for at CHI’s discretion where
relevant.
* TRAVEL & SUBSISTENCE: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid
according to CHI Policy, similar to public sector rates.
SELECTION PROCESS
Selection will involve short-listing of applicants for immediate
interviews based on applications and CVs submitted. The short-listing
selection criteria are based on the requirements of the job as
outlined in this job description. Please note that all posts may be
subject to Garda Vetting.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5PM ON FRIDAY THE **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**TH OF JANUARY **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to **APPLY
ON THE WEBSITE**.
(Co-operative Housing Ireland does not require the assistance of
recruitment agencies at this time).
CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING IRELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER.
ALL DOCUMENTATION RECEIVED BY CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING IRELAND WILL BE
PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DATA PROTECTION ACTS & GENERAL DATA
PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR; **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**).
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health
