Lead Commissioning Officer

Commissioning activity is a key capability function within ECC, working across the Council to deliver results and bring about significant change to manage future challenges, leveraging expertise and capability to enable a more flexible and agile environment to succeed in meeting ECC strategic objectives. Working within the Personalisation, Early Help and Carers team within Adult Social Care, this role plays a very important part within Strategic Commissioning and Policy and the wider Essex County Council structures, delivering outcome focused and evidence-based commissioning by managing a range of programme projects and activities through a flexible and collaborative approach. The role is critical to leading on a range of smaller projects and activities of large and ambitious programmes of work. The role will involve working to support a number of specific agendas within the team based on the key priority areas. This may include supporting the development of the accommodation strategy, unpaid carers, direct payments support services, and/or early help and prevention programme, working with internal and external strategic partnerships and stakeholders. Accountabilities

• Work with Commissioning Managers within the Personalisation, Early Help and Carers team and with partners and stakeholders, to define requirements and deliver activity ensuring best value for money and sustainable outcomes.
• Deliver specific projects and activities that further the continuous improvement of high performing, sustainable and cost-effective services or place shaping activities and develop cross functional links.
• Enable Heads of Commissioning to ensure the effective planning of prioritized projects and activity and that they are met in terms of capacity and capability and delivered to a high standard.
• Respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities ensuring that risks and opportunities are identified and managed and comply with all external and internal regulation; support responses to calls for contributions to consultation responses.
• Build relationships and work in collaboration (for example with, but not limited to, CCGs and District/Borough/City Councils) not only to deliver levels of integrated activity, but also to identify any further opportunities and efficiencies across organisations.
• Provide subject matter expert advice and guidance as required for thematic programmes and projects which will change dependent on strategic priorities.
• Work as part of the Adults Strategic Commissioning and Policy teams to support a flexible and agile approach to resourcing.
• Ensure effective support as part of a matrix managed team for specific programme activity both planned and reactive; ensuring appropriate governance is complete.
• Support the development of, and use, a range of tools and techniques that ensure activity is consistent, effective and efficient and that an audit trail is maintained.
  
  Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Previous experience of engaging, collaborating with and developing projects and programmes with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders
• Experience of managing or delivering commissioning projects and activities.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional areas.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a children and families or adults or both, or related activity service/function area, and programme/project management expertise, in support of senior leaders
• Knowledge and experience of all aspects of the commissioning cycle, project life-cycle and related activities gained within a commissioning environment.
• Evidence of successfully delivering outcomes and demonstrating breadth of thinking
• Experience of delivery of public services and managing change in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience of working in a political environment, working effectively with members and senior officers across the council and partner agencies.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

We'll support you to be your best…
• Training and development to empower you
• With us you can make your career work for you with flexible working options
• With us you can get the support you need with employee wellbeing and counselling
• With peace of mind with life assurance of three times annual salary
• Payment of professional fees for approved professions
• Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ's about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks - communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC
To read more about us please visit: Adult Social Care Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.