Commissioning and Partnership Officer

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 service user needs and reduces reoffending.

The Commissioning and Partnerships Officer will develop and implement commissioning plans and products and be responsible for delivering commissioning and partnership activity. They will lead on secretariat, planning and research activities to deliver commissioning and/or recommissioning of services across the region.

They will be line managed by a Commissioning and Partnerships Manager, who will lead on the delivery across the full range of services., The post holder will produce and implement specific commissioning plans that support regional commissioning strategy.

They will be responsible for developing reports and briefings for senior managers, regional leads and local/regional partners to support the monitoring and reporting of regional commissioning strategy and specific commissioning plans.

They will support operational staff and managers to deliver their responsibilities across the full range of services. This may include offering consultancy and advice, delivering local training and briefings.

They will support the Commissioning and Partnerships Manager in undertaking budget and financial monitoring for commissioning projects.

They will deputise for the Commissioning and Partnership Manager and HoCI when requested.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

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

• Collate and provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of needs and demand data to support Commissioning and Partnerships Managers and the wider Community Integration Team, including conducting focus groups with staff and service users.


• Drafting and amending service specifications for new and existing services and support the development of a portfolio of evidence-based service specifications. This will include the development and creation of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) and Board reports.


• Responsible for developing regional and local area reporting systems to monitor effectiveness of existing commissioning arrangements and availability of local services to inform development of services, reviews and planning.


• Manage regional involvement in grants and procurement processes, including organising market warming and engagement, producing key grant and procurement documents and evaluation of bids.


• Providing secretariat support to regional, cross-regional and multi-agency governance or project groups and boards with a range of internal and external stakeholders.


• Responsible for organising and facilitating stakeholder and engagement events and meetings and producing timely minutes and actions.


• Responsible for establishing productive and effective relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders at a local, regional and national level in line with designated area to support commissioning activity.


• Develop, maintain and update regional partnership contacts and agreements and ensure these are linked to business planning for the region, as well as updating relevant documents for contacts within the partnership portfolio.


• To undertake, lead and manage specific project work as instructed by the Commissioning and Partnerships Manager and/or Head of Community Integration.


• Attend meetings and represent the Commissioning and Partnerships Manager when necessary, demonstrating an understanding of the Probation Service, Region and subject matters at all times.


• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement whilst undertaking reviews and making recommendations as necessary.


• Implement and manage full commissioning processes including commissioning cycle, internal and external stakeholders' involvement, continually checking progress of different stages of work being completed and being vigilant on timescales. Raising concerns to Commissioning and Partnerships Manager in advance of deadlines.


• Support on the work with MOJ Commercial, Sourcing and Procurement to develop strategies for the commissioning of services.


• Undertake research, market warming, market engagement, negotiation.


• Creating service specifications, developing technical questions for competitions, designing payment mechanisms and ensuring service enablers such as TUPE and information sharing are considered.


• Undertake bid evaluations and moderation sessions.


• Provide contract mobilisation support.


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


• Support on 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 agenda, embedding the voice of People on Probation in the development of services.


• Support on the Contract Management of commissioned and co-commissioned contracts where required, including all standard contract management activities.


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


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


• Taking the lead role and being accountable for the initiation of data sharing agreements, DPIAs, DAs and all other information sharing agreements.


• Engage with and co-ordinate between providers and Information Assurance Lead for the completion of the DPIA.


• Undertake budget and financial monitoring of all commissioned and co-commissioned contracts.


• Support on the induction and training of new and existing staff.


• Owning the process for the Cyber Security to ensure completion in advance of services being launched to the operation team, including leading external partners and working alongside internal colleagues.


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., 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


• Delivering at Pace


• Communicating and Influencing


• Working Together


• Managing a Quality Service


• Changing and Improving

Experience


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


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


• Experienced in the field of partnership working.


• Awareness of community safety, criminal justice, social care, housing or health care setting.


• Good oral and written communications skills.


• Experience of undertaking research and formulating options, along with problem solving abilities.


• Experience of project management.


Desirable


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


• Good understanding of services to offenders delivered in the community or through-the-gate (upon release from prison).

Allowance Details
In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment which will be discussed at interview
Additional Information

This role can be based at any Probation Office within the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Region.

£33,011 - £41,082
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
South East
City/Town
Ashford (Kent) , Brighton and Hove , Canterbury , Chatham , Crawley , Folkestone , Guildford , Hastings , Maidstone , Ramsgate , Redhill , Royal Tunbridge Wells , St Leonards on Sea , Staines
Building/Site
NMS First House, GU1 4XB, NMS Galleon House, ME14 1BG, NMS Queens House, CT11 9DH, NMS Templar House, TN23 1PL, NMS Tower House, RH1 1RT, NPS 17 GARDEN ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN1 2XP, NPS 20/28 LONDON ROAD ST LEONARDS, TN38 0ET, NPS 47 GRAND PARADE BRIGHTON, BN2 9QA, NPS 56-58 COLLEGE ROAD MAIDSTONE, ME15 6SJ, NPS COLLEGE HOUSE GUILDFORD, GU1 4RS, NPS FOLKESTONE MAGISTRATES COURT FOLKESTONE, CT20 2DH, NPS NEW ROAD CHATHAM, ME4 4QQ, NPS RALPHS CENTRE CANTERBURY, CT1 3RH, NPS SWAN HOUSE STAINES, TW18 1AJ
Grade
Other
Organisation Grade for HMPPS, 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)


The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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., Behaviours
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating and Influencing
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

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'.