[ref. f0546117] Subsidy Officer (Housing Benefit) - Camden

Neway is seeking a Subsidy Officer to join our client based with Camden Council.

This role is starting 7th of October, working 36 hours a week in an ongoing contract.

This role plays a key role in ensuring the council can claim the money it pays out in Benefits back from the Department of Work and Pensions through its subsidy claim. As such, it will work with the Senior Subsidy officer and Service Manager to produce, co-ordinate and check the documentation and testing required through the annual subsidy audit and assist in making the subsidy claim, liaising with external auditors and capturing any learning and improvement required in practice.

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
• 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
• Ability and enthusiasm to work constructively with other members of the management team
• Good administration and co-ordination skills to organise the audit process
• Ability to forge relationships with external auditors and service managers and challenge incorrect assumptions or explain rationale for actions.
• Able to work within the requirements of the data protection act and respect claimant confidentiality.
• Identifying areas for service improvement and supporting implementation of projects
• Be required to carry out special tasks, assignments, reports or duties that are commensurate to the role and/or grade, where applicable as requested.

Work Environment: Mainly hybrid working with the expectation of the equivalent of one day in Camden per week.