Commissioning and Partnerships Manager - Greater Manchester Region

This will require candidates to demonstrate experience within the commissioning landscape across Probation and Prisons, have commercial awareness, be aware of the nuances of being part of a devolved region, the opportunities this provides and the variance in commissioning activity GM has as a region. You will need to have a developed understanding of the GM CI function as a whole, have experience of working at a strategic level across a range of key stakeholders at a national, regional and locality level. You will need to be a skilled negotiator, understand national, regional and local business priorities and be able to work within a complex political landscape. You will have experience of being involved in complex business processes such as information sharing agreements, vetting, due diligence activity, supporting with specification development, developing relationships that bring added value to the service and People On Probation. You will need have a good working knowledge of
Probation, and wider HMPPS business, be able to influence and communicate to a high level, bringing vision and energy to partnership arrangements across the region.

This role will work to the Senior Commissioning and Partnership Manager, working hand in hand with the GM Contract functionality and will work alongside all functions/PDUs and teams to deliver the CI Business Plan objectives.

Overview of the job

The purpose of the Commissioning and Partnerships team is to work closely with operational and contract managers within the region, commercial colleagues, policy leads, external partners/ commissioners, providers and service users to identify service needs, review existing services, build partnerships, develop knowledge and build expertise within the business, design new services, source providers and then monitor the effectiveness of commissioned services to promote innovative and strategic solutions and deliver quality, value for money services that meet People on Probations needs, increase performance on sentence delivery, reduce reoffending and help to protect the public.

The Commissioning and Partnerships Manager will contribute to creating and setting strategy. They will lead the development, management and implementation of commissioning across the full range of services or need areas, managing activities across the full commissioning cycle to deliver the regional priorities working closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

They will report into the Senior Commissioning and Partnership Manager and line manage Commissioning and Partnerships Officer(s) and any additional staff where applicable., The post holder will lead on reviewing, managing and delivering commissioning and/or recommissioning of services or projects both from within their region and nationally utilising various funding streams.

They will act as the expert in relation to the commissioning of outcomes for need areas within their region, providing professional advice and recommendations to support the delivery of the regional strategy and ensuring alignment with national strategies.

They will lead on the development and implementation of partnership arrangements with key stakeholders, nationally, regionally and locally, in relation to the full range of commissioned and co-commissioned projects, partnerships and services within their region.

They will lead on raising the profile of the Commissioning Team within the region and nationally to inform future commissioning and to support the implementation of services commissioned.

They will be the regional lead on developing the legal frameworks (including MOUs, DPIAs and ISAs) required to set up and manage partnership agreements and commissioned and co-commissioned contracts where required, in conjunction with commercial and legal colleagues.

They will oversee the financial arrangements around commissioned and co-commissioned services, ensuring new services demonstrated VFM (Value for Money) and are within budget.

They will deputise for the Head of Community Integration at regional and national meetings and with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Demonstrating leadership and innovation, assisting the Head of Community Integration and Senior Commissioning and Partnership Manager in providing guidance and direction for the implementation of the regional commissioning strategy and input to national strategies.


• Production and implementation of service/need specific commissioning plans across the full range of services as part of short, medium and long-term regional commissioning strategy.


• Managing service needs for specific commissioning plans to align with regional, national and wider community safety and criminal justice priorities.


• Implementing commissioning plans across the full range of services which meet the diverse needs of People on Probation, are financially robust, offer value-for-money, incorporates innovative approaches and builds on best practice.


• Assisting the HoCI with the management of the devolved commissioning budget for the region and managing resources effectively for commissioning projects.


• Leading and managing teams to deliver the agreed commissioning strategy, priorities and objectives for the region. This will include recruitment, induction and training of staff.


Taking lead role and being accountable for supporting PDU (Probation Delivery Unit) Heads and other operational leads to deliver their commissioning, national framework and partnerships responsibilities across the full range of services. This may include offering consultancy and advice, developing training plans for teams/region, delivering local and regional training and briefings.


• Lead on and work with regional and national Performance and Quality leads and other specialist research teams to demonstrate a clear evidence base to inform review of services, recommendations, planning and delivery of new services.


• Demonstrate the understanding and the effectiveness of current Probation Service and wider service delivery across the full range of services, identifying best practice for commissioning future services.


• Responsible for leading and managing the development of a portfolio of evidence-based service specifications and the development, writing and implementation of any new service specifications required, engaging with People on Probation, operational leads and other stakeholders both internally and externally as appropriate.


• Be the regional lead on the work with MoJ Commercial, Sourcing and Procurement to develop strategies for the commissioning of specific services. This will include research, market warming, market engagement, negotiation, designing payment mechanisms, creating a specification, developing technical questions for competitions and ensuring service enablers such as TUPE and Information Sharing is considered.


• Be the regional lead working with MOJ Commercial in bid evaluation and moderation. This will include the evaluation of bids for both regional and national contracts.


• Lead on the mobilisation of regional and national commissioned and co-commissioned non-CRS contracts where required.


• Supporting Contract Management teams with mobilisation of CRS (Commissioned Rehabilitative Services) contracts as required by the HoCI.


• Responsible for establishing and leading cross-regional and multi-agency project groups to support development of services including at a national level. Provide a leading role and strategic direction to establish productive and effective relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders at a local, regional and national level in line with the full range of services to support commissioning activity.


• Responsible for proactively identifying, following up and negotiating opportunities for joint-working or co- commissioning services by working with a variety of external stakeholders, such as PCCs, police, local authorities, DWP, NHS and voluntary sector organisations, to maximise the potential investment in services.


• Responsible for ensuring all Commissioning and Partnerships activity includes and conforms to equalities regulations, policies and processes. This will include ensuring the equality analysis is reviewed and completed for inclusion in the Regional Commissioning Plan.


• To evaluate bids for services commissioned by other regional bodies such as OPCCs (Office for Police and Crime Commissioner) and Local Authorities as requested.


• Lead on identifying, developing and supporting partner organisations with their on-boarding onto the Dynamic Framework.


• Work with Regional leads and PDU colleagues to develop the engagement of People on Probation to ensure that commissioned services align to the EPOP (Engaging People on Probation) agenda, embedding the voice of People on Probation in the development of services.


• Inputting into inspections, working with OSAG and HMIP inspectors and implementing action plans.


• Assist in the Contract Management of non-CRS commissioned and co-commissioned contracts where required.


• Work with Commissioning and Partnerships Managers nationally to ensure alignment of commissioned services on a pan-regional basis and that best value and practice are achieved.


The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.,
• Qualification in procurement and supply e.g. via the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.


For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.,
• Seeing the Big Picture


• Making Effective Decisions


• Communicating and Influencing


• Working Together


• Changing and Improving


• Leadership


Experience


• Experience of commissioning and/or recommissioning services, including assessing need, reviewing services and developing service specifications.


• Significant experience of undertaking research and formulating options, along with problem solving abilities


• Experience of procurement and grants within the public sector context.


• Significant experience of developing successful partnerships and integrated working arrangements.


• Experience of influencing and negotiating at a senior level.


• Experience of working in a community safety, criminal justice, social care, housing or health care setting.


• Experience of managing resources to a budget.


• Experience of project management.


• Excellent oral and written communications skills.


Desirable

• Experience of working within probation and offender services.


• Experience of managing staff.


• Experience of using a Dynamic Purchasing System.


• Experience of leading and participating in collaborative commissioning processes.


Technical

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.


• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.


• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.


• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.


• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.


Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);


• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);


• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)


As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Interview dates
Expected: Week commencing 29th July 2024.
Closing Date, Seeing the Big Picture
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.