Commissioning Officer VFM - REQ000349

Job title: Commissioning Officer

Salary: PO2 (£37,336)

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Kernel House, Leeds

The Commissioning and Market Management Service in the Children and Families Directorate is seeking applications for the post of Commissioning Officer- Value for Money (PO2).

You’ll will be part of our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rated Children and Families service and employed by Leeds City Council where we have a culture of excellence and are continually striving to drive up standards.

It’s not a traditional transactional commissioning role, it is a practice based, child focused, transformational commissioning role that delivers outstanding outcomes for children, cost improvement and value for money using innovative approaches and agile responses in a challenging external market.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Commissioning Officer, you will bring to the role:

Experience in commissioning and/or project management and/or front line working with children and families with transferable skills.
Flexibility to contribute to all aspects of commissioning, contract management and quality assurance across the Children and Families Directorate.
A passion for learning with the ability to challenge and drive change.
A restorative mind-set, focussed on improving outcomes for children and young people.
The ability to use own initiative and take ownership of work programme.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Children and Families Commissioning & Market Management Service. The service has a critical role as a core function in the directorate and with its partners to deliver priorities in the Children and Young People’s Plan and obtain the best possible outcomes for children and families.

The service covers a wide range of different commissioning areas including family support, early help, placements, SEND, regional and national adoption, youth services, learning inclusion and regional commissioning. The team is responsible for commissioning 100+ different contracts worth approximately £20 million per year in addition to over £50 million spend on placements and SEND learning.

We ensure the voice of children and families is at the heart of what we do. We work with partners and young people to help design our services. We engage with internal services and providers to ensure there is a strong market able to deliver our services. We use a range of monitoring and contract management methods to measure performance and outcomes and drive continuous improvement. We work with partners such as the NHS to achieve the best outcomes and make the most effective use of resources, including joint commissioning. We embed safeguarding, equality and quality assurance across our commissioning activity and service delivery. We commission services based on evidence and value for money. We have a bespoke brokerage team.

We are keen to recruit the right people that have the ingredients to develop into exceptional commissioners. There will be a full induction to develop people who can demonstrate the right knowledge and aptitude.

Regardless of your previous experience all successful candidates will be required to undertake continuous professional development. You will gain or strengthen best practice knowledge of various aspects of children’s service delivery, technical commissioning skills including commercial acumen and value for money techniques. As a core service in Children and Families, you will be integral to decision taking.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Lucie Yardley-Fear on Lucie.Fear@leeds.gov.uk

Apply for this job online.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Purpose:

Working as part of the Commissioning Service you will assist in effective delivery of commissioning and contract management outcomes, modelling values and behaviours to help us to achieve our ambition to become the best city council in the country, and our partnership aspiration to be a Child Friendly City.

Through commissioning and contract management processes you will support colleagues to deliver our collective responsibility to keep all children safe. Using the principles of project management you will undertake aspects of the commissioning programme including:

Contributing to the Strategic Review of services

Managing a portfolio of contracts and support colleagues in the management of complex services.
Co-ordinating projects within the Commissioning Manager’s portfolio
Contributing to the procurement of services
Using appropriate tools and practice to identify and quantify need.
Undertaking data analysis of service performance and completion of reports which can influence decision making
Managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient service delivery
Designing and developing services to improve children’s outcomes and meet need whilst ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
Designing and implementing suitable mechanisms to measure impact and co-ordinate the evaluation of contracts and the practical application of lessons learned
Supporting the active involvement of children and young people and families in how Children and Families services are commissioned and delivered and how they contribute to the ambitions of the Council as set out in the City Plan for Leeds, ensuring that children and young people have a voice and their views are heard
Developing and maintaining knowledge of key work programmes and service area priorities
Developing and maintaining systems and processes such as Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, Information Governance, Performance and Risk Assessments across the team.

Special Conditions this post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

Responsibilities:

To undertake day to day management and supervision of the Contract- co-ordinator and to deputise for the Team Manager when necessary.
Use of project management techniques to support the strategic review of services, commissioning of new services and the re-commissioning/decommissioning of existing services as required
To co-ordinate joint working within the directorate, across the council and with external partners as appropriate
To be responsible for the contract management of a portfolio of services including effective relationship management with partners, value for money and achievement of quality standards and efficiencies where required.
To contribute to and oversee the development of processes and practices that will deliver and support key developments in the commissioning function.
To develop a working knowledge and understanding of contracted services to inform commissioning
Lead regular monitoring meetings associated with the portfolio of contracts and ensure that delivery is achieving expected targets and outcomes.
To develop and manage project meetings to include key stakeholders in any commissioning outcome
To actively facilitate children and young people’s voice in all aspects of commissioning and to contribute to the sustaining of a culture that consistently meets the needs of, and listens to, children, families and stakeholders.
To adopt a restorative approach in your interactions with colleagues, providers, service users and stakeholders and to provide high support and high challenge to providers as part of driving continuous improvement
To contribute to the preparation and presentation of complex information in a variety of formats to a range of audiences including preparation of reports and briefings to support effective decision making at a strategic and political level within the Council.
To undertake effective evaluation of projects and contracts including data collection; collation and scrutiny of performance management information; benchmarking; report writing; and the implementation of practical outcomes and lessons learned.
Work effectively with the Corporate Procurement Team to ensure compliance with all relevant procurement procedures and to support the commissioning team to undertake its responsibilities in relation to the procurement of commissioned services.
To develop a working knowledge of relevant Council, Directorate and Partnership plans and priorities and understand the implications for service areas
To support colleagues in preparing and providing briefings, guidance and support to senior officers, elected members and staff across the council in relation to one or more service areas.
To support the development of key policy and strategy relating to the commissioning of services
To ensure due regard is taken of equality and diversity when designing, delivering or reviewing policies, strategies, services and human resources and ensure that any mitigating actions are delivered.
To assist in ensuring compliance with governance and procedural requirements relating to the work of the team. This may include in relation to commissioning, contract management, procurement and financial management.
To provide effective line management and supervision (as required) within the service area
To maximise resources for the City including supporting partnerships and service area bids for resources
To ensure commissioning activity takes place within available budgets, efficiency targets are met and services provide value for money.
Using a restorative approach, make a positive contribution to the development of working practices within the commissioning and market management team.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility for the service, enhance its reputation, and to form positive relationships with internal services and external partners.
Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches within the context of services to children, young people and families e.g. Outcomes Based Accountability and Restorative Practice
Demonstrate a knowledge of provider markets and in particular the role of the third sector in supporting the delivery of positive outcomes for children and families.
Demonstrate an understanding of the Child Friendly City concept and the voice and influence of children and young people to underpin this
Understanding of commissioning principles and practice including the commissioning cycle and procurement.
Understanding of issues relating to contract management and compliance including performance and risk management
Knowledge of the Council’s decision-making processes and the ability to use MS Office and IT packages to produce reports and information to support decision making practices and briefings for officers and elected members.
Knowledge of current local and national issues impacting upon the service and can demonstrate a clear linkage with the needs of children and children and young people across the city.

Experience Required

Relevant technical skills, knowledge, qualifications and membership of relevant professional bodies and evidence of commitment to ongoing professional development.
Ability to use MS Office and IT packages to produce accurate reports and information to support commissioning practices.
Experience of working within a multi-agency environment and forging and driving successful partnerships e.g. external partners; Members; schools etc

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Committed to continuous improvement.
Ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development
Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex managerial problems.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge and familiarity of current working practices of key partners to support commissioning activity. (education, early years, youth work, family support, complex needs, youth offending, social work, public health, children’s transport, residential and housing support services)
Understanding/experience of a range of improvement methodologies to drive service improvement
Knowledge of Welfare Benefits legislation

Experience Required

Management/supervisory experience within the relevant children’s services environment (i.e. schools, colleges, or local authority) with specific responsibility for implementing policy via service delivery and outcomes.
Experience of developing and managing strategies leading to successful outcomes for children within the relevant environment.
Experience of managing, supporting and developing individuals and teams and promoting a ‘can do’ attitude within a context of continuous improvement and improved outcomes for children and young people
Experience of effective staff management and financial accountability within recognised rules and procedures and within a context of delivering successful outcomes for service users
Experience of health & safety and risk management and safeguarding practices (including CSE) to ensure the well being and safety of staff and service users.

Apply for this job