Rural Housing Project Officer

We are seeking a community-focused Rural Housing Project Officer to help Gloucestershire communities turn local needs into affordable homes.

Position: Rural Housing Project Officer
Salary: £30,000 to £35,000 per annum, pro rata, depending on experience
Location: Gloucester, with travel across Gloucestershire and occasional travel further afield
Hours: Part-time, 3 to 4 days, up to 28.8 hours per week, worked flexibly with occasional evening and weekend meetings
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 10am on Friday 27 November 2026
Interviews: Monday 7 December or Wednesday 9 December 2026

About the role

Affordable homes help rural communities remain places where people can live, work and build their futures. In this role, you will support communities to shape affordable housing solutions that reflect their needs, helping projects progress from initial ideas towards delivery.

Working with communities, residents, parish and town councils, landowners, housing associations, local authorities and Homes England, you will bring people together and provide practical, impartial guidance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting community engagement, workshops and consultations so local people help shape affordable housing proposals.
• Identifying affordable housing needs through surveys, research and data analysis.
• Exploring potential development sites, suitable land and opportunities to bring unused buildings into affordable housing use.
• Helping assess project feasibility, planning considerations, funding options and financial viability.
• Building partnerships, resolving barriers and supporting projects through the development process.
• Monitoring progress and preparing reports, case studies and updates for partners and funders.

About you

You will be a confident relationship builder with experience in planning and/or affordable housing, including working with local planning authorities and registered housing providers.

You will bring:

• An understanding of planning policy and affordable housing delivery.
• Strong communication, presentation, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• The ability to analyse information and turn findings into practical recommendations.
• Good project management skills, with confidence managing several projects at different stages.
• A proactive, organised approach and commitment to inclusive community participation.
• A degree or equivalent qualification.

Experience of rural housing, community-led projects, development appraisals or housing finance would be an advantage.

You will need a full, clean driving licence, access to a car and flexibility to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings.

About the organisation

You will join an independent charity with a 100-year history of helping build strong, healthy and sustainable communities in Gloucestershire. Its work connects communities with public, private and voluntary sector partners to address local challenges and support lasting change.

Benefits include 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata, an employer pension contribution of 7.125%, and equivalent time off for directed evening or weekend work.

To apply, complete an application form explaining how you meet the person specification.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Rural Housing Enabler, Affordable Housing Officer, Housing Development Officer, Community-Led Housing Officer, Planning Officer or Housing Project Officer.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.