DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
**APPLICATION FORMS ONLY, CV'S NOT ACCEPTED - https://www.fcha.org.uk/post/hiring-development-officer **
Summary Terms and Conditions
First Choice wants to be an employer that attracts and keeps the best people. In addition to salary, we offer a range of benefits that aim to keep us competitive in the market place.
Hours of work: Standard full time hours are 35 per week, Monday to Friday. Flexible working hours including generous time off in lieu arrangements. We also offer agile working with a blend of home/office working. A working from home allowance is also provided of £50pcm.
Salary: SCP34–SCP39 - £41,991-£48,095
Car: Business mileage paid at current HMRC mileage rates. The post also offers Essential Car User Allowance of £97.50pcm.
Pension: 10% employer’s contribution to company pension scheme with 3% mandatory employee contribution. The pension scheme is a salary sacrifice scheme operated by Royal London.
Annual leave: 26 days annual leave, plus paid leave for all statutory holidays rising to 27 in the January following 2 years’ service and thereafter a day per year until the maximum limit of 30 days.
Probation: Your employment is subject to a probationary period of 5 months from your start date.
Notice period: Two months on either side.
Sickness pay: Generous sickness pay, plus enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
Health Plan: Tax-paid provision of HSF Health plan.
Training: Excellent training opportunities, study fees and exam leave.
Professional subscription: One professional subscription paid per annum.
Other benefits:
- Death in service benefits
- Critical illness cover
- Health wellbeing packages including gym membership
- Subsidised Christmas party (Gifted half day)
- Annual health screening
- Annual staff away day
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice including e-vehicle lease
- Birthday off as an extra holiday
- Sale and purchase of annual leave – up to 5 days
All benefits are provided and paid for at the absolute discretion of the Association. First Choice Housing Association reserves the right to amend, enhance or remove benefits subject to legislation, staff consultation and business operations. The Association is fully committed to diversity and it is our aim to provide all of our services and employment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis.
JOB DESCRIPTION
GENERAL AIMS
- To deliver First Choice’s approved Development Programme, from inception to completion including liaising with all partner agencies.
- To effectively deliver tendering and management of FCHA’s development contractor processes.
- To assist in the delivery of the Company’s Strategic Objectives.
- To ensure Targeted Recruitment, Training and Community Benefits are included and monitored in all procurement contracts where applicable
- To manage staff resources, quality standards and performance for all development contracts allocated.
- To ensure FCHA’s Equality & Diversity Policy and other Development department related policies including the Health and Safety Policy are complied with when undertaking these duties.
1.0 DEVELOPMENT
1.1 To prepare social housing grant bids for local authorities for inclusion in their PDP's, to initiate the development of new projects, in conjunction with the Development Manager.
1.2 To liaise with the local authority commissioners, occupational therapists and relevant LA / Health professionals to obtain a scheme brief for identified tenants.
1.3 To identify land and property opportunities, and obtain the agreement of the local authority and subsequently, where appropriate families and or advocates on location and suitability.
1.4 To identify, recommend, appoint and brief consultants and contractors.
1.5 To undertake administration in relation to the role of development officer including reporting to DM, Exec and Board.
1.6 Ensure effective monitoring of property specification / design requirements in accordance with relevant legislation and guidelines.
1.7 To secure grant funding, by way of acquisition and tender scheme work submissions and subsequent grant claims to the Welsh Government.
1.8 To undertake the development process from pre-acquisition stage to final account stage whilst managing and liaising with the identified Project Team. Ensuring that all relevant documentation is provided by each relevant party of the project team and that all development, important docs and H&S files are received, updated and complete on a regular basis.
1.9 To prepare and maintain scheme feasibilities, development budgets, cash flow forecasts, monitor spend on site and ensure drawdown grant in accordance with WG timescales. Prepare scheme papers for CEO / Board approval in accordance with the Associations Business Decision Model parameters.
1.10 To notify the Director of Finance and IT at least two weeks in advance, using the appropriate form, where funding is required for property acquisition.
1.11 To update the property database following acquisition and handover and advise all relevant departments of the date of acquisition and practical completion via the property handover form ensuring that the correct calculated rent and service change is charged.
1.12 To provide regular communication to the local authority commissioner on scheme progress and dates, including regular site progress reports.
1.13 Ensure all schemes comply with Health and Safety requirements, CDM Regulations incorporating client responsibilities.
1.14 To represent the Association at key stakeholder events and forums as required by the Development Manager
2.0 LEASEHOLD
2.1 When required; to develop leasehold schemes in conjunction with local commissioning authority, private landlords and the Associations legal advisers from pre-acquisition to final account.
3.0 OTHER
3.1 Uphold the Association’s Code of Conduct and adhere to the Mode of Working, Standing Orders and policies and procedures whilst setting high personal standards
3.2 To collate and provide performance management information to the Executive Board as required
3.3 To identify and review risk to the Association in all areas of work but specifically in relation to Development scheme risk analysis ensuring that exit strategies are implemented.
3.4 To operate to best practice legislation and guidelines issued by the Welsh Government and other statutory bodies and to operate within Consultants’ Standard Forms of Engagement.
3.5 To adhere to the values of tenant participation, contributing, as appropriate, to the continuous development of the Associations Tenant Participation Strategy.
3.6 To undertake other duties as may be reasonably expected commensurate with the post and remuneration.
**APPLICATION FORMS ONLY, CV'S NOT ACCEPTED https://www.fcha.org.uk/post/hiring-development-officer **
Closing Date - 03/07/2026 at 9am
Interview Date - 14/07/2026
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Graduate
Pay: £39,315.00-£45,030.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cardiff CF15
