Job Introduction
A brilliant opportunity for an experienced Commissioning Officer to join our all-age Commissioning Service.
Based within the Children and Young People’s work strand but with opportunities to work across the whole team, you’ll be leading on commissioning services to drive positive outcomes and improve the lives of our most vulnerable children, young people and families.
The Council is planning an ambitious commissioning programme in the next few years to meet the needs of Milton Keynes’ growing population and develop dynamic, sustainable provider markets. We work on place-based projects, as well as in alignment with the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) and regionally through the new South East Regional Care Co-operative.
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake needs analysis, benchmarking, market engagement, coproduction with service users and other key stakeholders, develop service specifications, lead on tenders and support contract monitoring. This role is ideal for candidates with a keen understanding of evidence-led and outcome-focused commissioning, who are able to build positive relationships with stakeholders and providers.
You’ll be working closely with team members and colleagues from Social Care, Health and Education, as well as external statutory agencies, providers, and the local Voluntary and Community Sector. Excellent communication skills are essential, as your work will inform decision-making and influence service provision and management.
You’ll need a clean driving licence, as occasional visits to offsite locations are part of the role.
The job role explains more, and for an informal discussion please contact Toni Badnall, Deputy Head of Commissioning, on toni.badnall@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
This role is may suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day in the office/site per week.
Face to face interviews for this role will be held w/c 23 June.
Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Leading end-to-end on outcome-focused commissioning and service development projects that are informed by local need and finance data.
- Ensuring that commissioning activity represents best value and is underpinned by legislation, national policy, and local and regional strategies.
- Engaging and developing relationships and effective ways of working with internal and external stakeholders, statutory partners, providers and the VCSE and service users and their families.
- Taking a lead on coproduction to ensure that the voices of service users, their families and carers are embedded within commissioned services.
- Supporting Contract Managers to monitor service performance maintain provider relationships and drive improvements.
The Ideal Candidate
- Demonstrable public service commissioning expertise and have or be working towards a Level 5 Commissioning for Wellbeing Qualification.
- Experience in designing, planning, implementing, and managing commissioned services that are evidence-informed, outcomes-focused, high-quality and good value for money.
- Able to communicate complex information to a wide range of stakeholders, including written reports.
- Able to engage, influence, and negotiate with stakeholders, statutory and non-statutory partners, providers, service users and their families.
- Capable of managing multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.
- Will have an understanding of relevant legislation and policy developments and how these influence commissioning strategies.
Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you
For this role, the candidate is required to have a full UK driving licence, along with access to a vehicle. Evidence of the driving licence and vehicle insurance with business insurance will be required from the candidate should they be offered this position. Without this documentation the candidate will not be appointable.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
