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Major Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Manager, Policy and Community Liaison, the Social Housing Consultant provides strategic advice and support on a range of social housing policy and asset management projects, initiatives and issues; and manages a small portfolio of social housing programs. The primary functions associated with this position include, but are not limited to:

• Implements detailed plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program specific requirements
• Develops options for policies, management practices, performance measures and recommends changes to support management functions and improve efficiency and effectiveness of social housing service delivery.
• Conducts research and analysis into assigned areas taking into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other orders of government
• Drafts responses and provides guidance in the development of reports, briefing , policy documents and other materials
• Coordinates and participates on various unit wide projects as the lead policy staff
• Supervises, motivates and trains assigned project staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others
• Provides input into and administers assigned budget, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations, as it pertains to specific portfolio of housing providers  
• Ensures effective, efficient and timely use of operating and capital funds
• Assesses the management capacity on an on-going basis of non-profit and co-operative social housing providers and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to own and manage multi-million dollar assets
• Ensures legal, financial & policy interests of the City are protected
• Manages/monitors and provides direction for the planning/development and provision of a range of social housing programs
• Ensures social housing provider compliance with the Social Housing Reform Act (SHRA), Rent Geared-to Income (RGI) Service Agreements, City guidelines/other contractual obligations
• Oversees ongoing viability of social housing stock in the City of Toronto
• Develops/implements risk management strategies, operational templates, programs and/or processes to reduce financial/political risk to the City
• Develops and provides appropriate tools to housing providers to enable efficient management of the housing assets
• Makes recommendations/implements appropriate remedial action for housing providers that are not in compliance with SHRA, contractual agreements or Council directions
• Conducts performance assessments of housing provider Board of Directors' ability to effectively govern the corporation and manage the assets
• Works with housing providers to address areas of operational, financial and RGI administration weaknesses
• Writes/submits Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing consents and City Council approval as required
• Provides advice/direction to social housing providers in areas of program, financial administration, governance and property management
• Liaises with auditors, engineers, internal and external legal representatives, and property management companies on specific housing provider issues
• Develops social housing provider profiles, analyzes and determines subsidy needs, and, through consultation, assists providers in developing appropriate business plans
• Monitors their ability to maintain their capital assets; ensuring ongoing viability of social housing structures and minimizing risk to the City
• Develops/delivers training and presentations on legislative or operational issues to groups of housing providers and/or other stakeholders
• Represents the City on Federal, Provincial and Municipal committees and working groups on social housing issues
• Collaborates on new and innovative approaches to the development and administration of social housing with division staff, sector organizations and social housing providers
• Develops Requests For Proposals (RFP), Requests For Expression of Interest (REOI) and Request For Quotation (RFQ) for a wide range of service requirements, including receivership
• Reviews, evaluates and administers new funding agreements with Provincial government programs
• Maintains a continuous and through knowledge of current  City and divisional social housing issues and initiatives

Key Qualifications:

1. Experience in the administration and delivery of social housing or other non-profit programs including working with government legislation.
2. Demonstrated experience in project management
3. Demonstrated experience in conducting research and social policy analysis/development.
4. General knowledge of financial management, financial analysis and the principles and practices of non-profit budgeting
5. Post secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function or an approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
6. General knowledge of social and affordable housing legislative and policy context.
7. Ability to supervise, train and evaluate staff, as well as handle routine labour relations matters.
8. General knowledge of property management principles and practices.
9. Knowledge of non-profit financial reporting, audit and program compliance requirements.
10. Innovative thinker, willing to consider non-traditional solutions.
11. Able to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment.
12. Effective oral and written communication skills.
13. Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
14. Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact.
15. Ability to establish effective working relationships with a variety of community and sector organizations, politicians and other levels of government.
16. Knowledge of electronic spreadsheets, word processing, presentation and database software.
17. General knowledge of government legislation in the areas of labour, employment, occupational health and safety and human rights.