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The role involves working in a team to examine proposals for a local authority looking to transfer stock to a new or existing registered social landlord. The officer needs to work closely with the private sector and different departments to ensure that the council gets the best possible deal. They need to be good communicators and have good negotiation skills.

The officer will also need to examine existing services and how they would fit into the new RSL if the transfer went ahead. There is also a lot of public consultation, which means face-to-face contact with the customers. Stock transfer project officers are usually seconded, as the job only lasts until the stock transfer has been completed

What's the salary like?
Most roles like this are secondments from existing jobs, so officers are usually on the same salary as their permanent post.

And the hours?
"All that God sends," says Gavin Brown, stock transfer officer at Middlesbrough council. "The role involves working nights and weekends as well as your normal working week, in order to attend public meetings. As the formal consultation starts, the days seem to get longer and longer."

It’s absolutely hectic. On my first day they simply said: ‘There’s your desk, there’s your computer. Get to it.’ It hasn’t let up since

Gavin Brown, stock transfer officer, Middlesbrough council

Out and about or stuck in the office?
Aside from meetings with the different bodies, officers talk to tenants and show them what will happen if a transfer goes through. "At the moment, we have a mobile exhibition unit showing tenants the type of work that will be done to the homes if the transfer goes ahead. We spend a lot of time on the caravan-cum-trailer," explains Brown.

What qualifications did you need?
None specifically, but you need to be up to speed on housing issues.

What skills are most useful?
Time management, presentation skills and the ability to work on your own initiative is essential.

What will the first day be like?
"Absolutely hectic," says Brown. "When I started, the team had been going for a year and there was a lot to get on with. On my first day they simply said: 'There's your desk, there's your computer. Get to it.' It hasn't let up since."