Subsidy Officer (Housing Benefits)

Responsibilities 

1. Work with the Senior Subsidy Officer to produce all documentation required for and check the accuracy of the Council’s subsidy claim, worth approximately £180m, and assist in completing the claim at the beginning and end of year
2. Liaise with external auditors and co-ordinate access to systems and reports, including sampling data
3. Organise any testing required as part of the audit
4. Test all new releases of software to ensure it is awarding benefit correctly and liaise with IT on any issues resulting in non-compliance or incorrect awards likely to result in an audit failure
5. Work closely with the team and service managers to ensure learning from errors is actioned
6. Produce data and reports on benefit caseloads
7. Act as a service expert on subsidy and the subsidy audit process, maintaining knowledge and working with the Policy and Appeals officers to ensure practice complies with legislation and guidance
8. Identifying areas for service improvement and supporting implementation of projects
9. Be required to carry out special tasks, assignments, reports or duties that are commensurate to the role and/or grade, where applicable as requested.

• An extensive knowledge of Benefit legislation, software and processes.
• Excellent Presentation Skills
• Experience working in councils or housing associations 
• The ability to interrogate systems, run reports and present data using MS Excel and other software as required
• An extensive knowledge of DWP subsidy Funding arrangements, requirements and audit process
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with colleagues

• Initial 3 month ongoing contract with the opportunity to extend 
• PAYE via Umbrella 
• Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm 
• Mainly hybrid working with the expectation of the equivalent of one day in the north london office per week.