Housing Advocate (HOME)

Salary: NICS EOI £33,542-£34,231 per annum (under review)

Job type: Full time, fixed term until 31 March 2027 with possibility of extension subject to further funding

Location: Skainos Centre, Belfast (option for hybrid working)

Closing: 12 October 2026

Housing Rights is seeking a passionate and experienced Housing Advocate for our Housing Options Made Empowering (HOME) project to help deliver our vision and strategic objectives by providing specialist advice, advocacy and representation on homelessness, housing debt and housing issues.

About the role

Working through housing advice clinics hosted by voluntary sector organisations, you will play a key role in supporting people presenting with complex needs and from underrepresented communities including those protected under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

You will also provide specialist training and information to HOME partner agencies, helping to build capacity across the sector while advancing the mission, values and aims of Housing Rights.

Key responsibilities:

• provision of advice, advocacy and representation to people receiving support at HOME housing advice clinics
• provision of support to agencies through training and information
• apply appropriate case strategies to clients housing circumstances
• develop effective working relationships both internally and externally with HOME advice recipients, partner agencies and relevant stakeholders

About you

You will bring:

• a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grades A-C (or equivalent), to include English Language and Mathematics
• an accredited qualification in housing, law, advice
• at least 12 months full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience gained in providing telephone, written and face-to-face housing or debt advice to the public in a social welfare context
• at least 12 months full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience providing advocacy and representation, in the context of handling a challenging caseload (i.e. beyond advice only, signposting, referrals)
• a demonstrated ability to see cases through to completion in accordance with organisational objectives
• demonstrated experience of achieving positive outcomes via legal, social security, benefits or housing casework
• skills in the use of Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Teams, Outlook, Word)
• ability to engage sensitively and effectively with clients presenting with complex needs, as well as with people from Section 75 groups and other underrepresented communities
• valid driving licence and access to a car, or demonstrated ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post

The ideal candidate will bring:

• evidence of completed additional relevant accredited qualifications in for example, housing, debt, social security benefits
• at least 24 months full time (or equivalent part time) experience gained in providing telephone, written and face-to-face housing or debt advice to the public in a social welfare context
• awareness of the main issues impacting those in housing need in Northern Ireland
• experience of mentoring and/or preparation and delivery of training or tutoring
• at least 6 months experience of providing personal representation to clients, for example, Chancery Division of the High Court or Social Security Appeal Tribunal
• skills in the use of computerised case management systems, for example, Advice Pro

About Housing Rights

Housing Rights has been helping people in Northern Ireland deal with housing and homelessness problems since 1964. We help people with their housing and homelessness problems through our helplines and advice work. We use their experiences to bring change and improvements with our policy work. We educate and inform others working in the housing and advice sectors to help their clients.

All our work helps us to achieve our vision 'when everyone has a home'.

What we can offer you

We offer our people the following:

• hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support life-work balance
• tailored learning and development plans to help you grow in your career
• a generous 25-day annual leave allowance, plus 12 public holidays
• enhanced family-friendly policies to support your journey with us
• a comprehensive employer pension scheme with free life assurance
• free parking and an accessible office location
• fun staff events to foster team spirit and engagement
• employee wellbeing services to support your health
• a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
• a values-driven culture where your contributions truly matter
• eligibility for Blue Light Card

The closing date for this post is 12 October 2026. CVs and late applications will not be accepted.

Diversity is valued at Housing Rights. Applications from all sections of the community are actively encouraged.

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