Commissioning Officer

Demand for Adult Social Care (ASC) rises each year, people are living longer andthere are more people living with long term conditions, particularly dementia. Thereare increasing numbers of young adults in transition to adult services with complexneeds.This increased demand for services is at the same time that we are underunprecedented financial pressure with an overall reduction in the finance settlementfor Shropshire. At the same time there is increased public expectation of ASC andrightly an expectation of personalised and flexible support for those who are eligiblefor ASC.Their satisfaction will drive our decision making and we are committed to changingfor the better, by working together in new ways across the whole council and with ourlocal partners.In order to respond to the monumental challenges described whilst continuing todeliver high quality support to those in need, we will need to radically change ourapproach to the provision of ASC in Shropshire and streamline internal processesand core functions to manage such demand with fewer resources.As a member of the Commissioning and Governance Team within Adult Services youwill play a key role in the delivery of the transformation programme in line with theCouncil's vision, values and strategic objectives, through the development of servicesin Shropshire, and improving process efficiency and outcomes.You will contribute to ensuring that the services are delivered in accordance with, andunderpin, the following:

• the priorities and strategic objectives of the Council
• the Vision and Values of the Council
• the Council's commitment to openness and transparency
and
• is responsive to changes in legislation; national; regional and local priorities,
• provides the mechanisms to deliver continuous improvement.
2. Level & Purpose of PostThe post holder will be:
• Responsible to the Service Manager (Commissioning and Governance), who
is in turn responsible for the post holder's health and safety, training and development.
• To support the Service manager for Commissioning and Governance as
required, to commission, procure and contract manage services to deliver agreed outcomes.3. Key ResponsibilitiesThe post holder has the responsibility to:To manage contract performance and commissioning processes ensuring value formoney quality services are delivered to adult residents of the county.4. Main DutiesThis is an outline of the competencies, principal duties and responsibilities requiredfor the post holder. The post holder will be required to carry out various aspects ofthe role which will change from time to time to strengthen skills and experience andto meet service needs. Individual guidance will be provided through Supervision andPerformance Review.
• To manage and review provider performance of both internal and external
provider services, in accordance with the quality monitoring systems, liaising with internal colleagues, external partners and other organisations as appropriate.
• To manage the procurement of services for individual or group contracts from
producing the service specification through to tender evaluation, notification of contract and transition to new service provider, where appropriate, and maintain appropriate documentation.
• To work on and oversee commissioning projects as required.
• To engage with providers to ensure quality standards are maintained and
gather accurate and timely market intelligence.
• To build relationships and develop and communicate best practice across
providers to improve the quality of services delivered, including regular meetings.
• To engage with and involve service users, carers and staff in the redesign of
services to ensure they are "fit for purpose" and undertake customer feedback surveys as appropriate.
• To support providers in developing action plans where required to minimise
the potential of provider failure and in such an event support the Service manager of commissioning and governance in fulfilling the Council's obligations in accordance with the Care Act.
• Line manage staff as required.
• To be involved in shaping services to meet current and future needs through
research, analysis and development of services
• To respond to requests for information, including FOIs and investigate
complaints, where appropriate.
• To support the provision of advice and information in relation to service
providers etc to colleague, service users and carers
• To advise and support operational staff in commissioning and performance
matters
• To provide management information and produce briefing reports.
• To attend local and regional meetings, as appropriate.
• To work in partnership with Health, as required.
• To ensure awareness of the Councils processes and protocols in relation to
Information Security Guidelines, information sharing protocols and GDPR
• Observe and practice the Directorate policy on confidentiality, data protection
and information management
• To ensure that provider services comply with Safeguarding requirements,
GDPR and other legislation.
• To ensure all customers, both internal and external, receive a consistently
high quality level of service commensurate with the standards required by Shropshire Council
• Promote safe systems of work to comply with the Directorate's Health Safety
and Welfare policies and procedures.
• To undertake such personal training as may be deemed necessary to meet
the duties and responsibilities of the post
• To undertake such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the
grading and nature of the postThis job description outlines the main activities of the post holder. It is not meant tobe, nor is it, an exhaustive or exclusive list of specific duties and activities. The postholder will be expected to undertake any duties which could reasonably be construedas being within the remit of the post and which arise out of changes in legislation,regulations, orders rules and working practices, methods and procedures andreviews, as directed from time to time.5. Performance & Customer FocusThe post holder will ensure that they:
• adopt a customer focused approach when delivering their service, ensuring
engagement with service users, carers and staff and maintenance of an appropriate personal profile,
• act as an advocate for their service and work collaboratively with colleagues across the whole Council to meet the needs of the people of Shropshire,
• meet individual, service and personal development targets agreed through the
Personal Development Review Process, learn from experience and are committed to continuous improvement individually and as an employee of the Council,
• work with colleagues to meet the team's key performance indicators, support a
culture of team working and ensure the team functions successfully in support of the Council's corporate and service objectives.
• meet the behaviours and competencies adopted by the Council in the way in
which they achieve their objectives and carry out their work.These duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected tobecome involved in a range of work to enable the service to respond effectively to thechanging requirements of the Council and changes affecting the workforce, asdirected by their line manager6. Conditions of Service a) The conditions of service are those laid down by Shropshire Council, which have been adopted and amended as necessary from those laid down by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services. b) The post is office based but some home working may be available, subject to agreement with line manager.


• The post is permanent for up to 37 hours per week,
• Normal office hours are 7am to 7pm Monday - Friday and 8am-1pm
Saturday
• The post is subject to the Council's annualised hour's scheme as
implemented within the specific work area.
• Additional payments do not apply.
d) This post carries eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Information about this will be sent with any formal offer of appointment. e) Annual leave entitlement is pro rata for 25 days per year plus 5 additional days for those staff with 5 years local government service giving a maximum of 30 days a year. Bank holidays also apply. A concessionary day at Christmas is at the Council's discretion. f) The appointment is subject to two months' notice in writing on either side. g) The appointment is subject to six months' satisfactory probationary service during which time the notice period will be one week on either side. h) Smoking is not allowed in Council buildings, in Council vehicles or in any Council place of work. i) It is a condition of your appointment that you provide a suitable vehicle for the performance of your duties and that this is readily available for use during normal working hours. You are entitled to claim for reimbursement of the costs of travel on council business at the agreed Council rate.7. Pre-employment RequirementsThe appointment is subject to receipt of the following pre-employment checks; 1. Satisfactory employment references, 2. Medical report, 3. Evidence of the qualifications required for the post/listed on your application form, If required insert the following: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such all applicants who are appointed to this post will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. This check will include details of cautions, reprimands or warnings as well as convictions and non-conviction information. Once appointed, the successful applicant(s) will also be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure at pre-determined intervals during the course of their employment whilst in this post.