Job Information
The purpose of this role is to assist in the process of establishing, monitoring and reviewing the contracting arrangements, for the provision for children’s services, education and public health.
The monitoring aspect of the role is significant and will include, visiting the sites of external providers. It follows that the postholder will be required to work with internal and external service provider on both a standalone or collaborative basis.
The post holder will be commercially aware and able to understand the relationship between cost, quality, customer care and corporate performance assessments.
This is an extremely supportive, collaborative team where effective communication is essential, commitment to providing a quality service is expected and new ideas for improvements are welcomed.
The Service consists of the Head of Commissioning for Children’s Social Care, Education and Public Health, Commissioning Manager, 3 Commissioning and Relationship Development Officers and a Contracts Officer (this post).
You will have experience in the field of commissioning, contract monitoring and/or service review, ideally with a working knowledge of children’s social care, education and public health. Be able to gather, analyse and present complex data and information from a range of sources to a varied audience. You will have an ability to prioritise your own work, taking into account both team and organisational requirements, and be able to negotiate and resolve complex problems. In addition, the ability to manage change well is a necessity.
This is a full-time, permanent position, and is Band 5 salary £26,421 - £28,770.
The post will be hybrid between home-working, with a hot-desk base at County Hall, Morpeth. There will be a need for travel around the country to undertake the monitoring, with the potential for occasional overnight stays.
The role requirements:
The successful candidate must be educated to degree level, in a relevant subject or an appropriate professional qualification relevant to the position.
Ideally with a working knowledge of children’s social care, education and public health.
Experience in a post involving responsibility for contact with the public.
The monitoring aspect of the role is significant and will include visiting the sites of external providers as well as undertaking support on Regulation 44 visits for the Council’s internally operated children’s homes. It follows that the postholder will be required to work with internal and external service provider on both a stand-alone or collaborative basis. There will be a need for travel around the country to undertake the monitoring, with the potential for occasional overnight stays. A valid UK driving licence is therefore essential.
An enhanced DBS check will be required for this post.
Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:
26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
- Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
- A range of salary sacrifice schemes are available
- Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development e.g. Apprenticeship, Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality
Further information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930
Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.
