Commissioning Support Officer (Strategic Commissioning - Older People’s Residential and Nursing)

Overview

Are you passionate about improving services for residents of Buckinghamshire?

We’re looking for a motivated Commissioning Support Officer to join our Commissioning and Procurement Hub, helping to shape services and contribute to meaningful work that improves lives across Buckinghamshire.

The Commissioning and Procurement Hub brings together strategic commissioners with operational commissioning, including quality and placements, and procurement colleagues. By combining our skills, experiences and lessons learned, we ensure the most effective approach to supporting all stages of the commissioning cycle, complementing other Council teams to maximise the quality and value for money for our residents.

You'll play a vital role in delivering strategic projects and supporting service improvement. You’ll be part of a supportive team, with opportunities to learn, grow, and shape the future of commissioning.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

This is a dynamic and varied role that sits at the heart of our Commissioning and Procurement Hub, with a predominant focus on residential and nursing care for over 65s.

You’ll be instrumental in supporting work, from planning and needs assessment, service design to options appraisal, procurement, contract and performance monitoring and financial administration. You’ll help ensure services are well-designed, efficiently delivered, and aligned with the needs of Buckinghamshire residents.

Key responsibilities:

• Project Management and Administration:
  • Support strategic commissioning projects by maintaining project plans, tracking milestones, and coordinating activities.
  • Support contract management by coordinating provider meetings, tracking performance data and ensuring timely follow up on actions to help drive service quality and accountability
  • Monitor progress and support delivery of the team’s workplan.
  • Organise workshops and stakeholder events to support co-production and market engagement.
• Data, Systems & IT:
  • Collate and format data for needs assessments and contract monitoring.
  • Use Microsoft Office systems to analyse data, produce reports, and present findings.
  • Maintain accurate records and support system-based processes across commissioning activities.
• Financial Administration:
  • Monitor spend and support financial oversight of commissioned services.
  • Ensure value for money and compliance with financial procedures.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, or visit services within the community, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

What we’re looking for:

• Experience supporting or co-ordinating projects and teams to meet service targets or deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail, with the ability to present information to colleagues and stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent IT skills, confident with Excel, and an aptitude for use of systems and databases.
• An understanding of administration and financial processes and budget monitoring.
• Good planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload, manage conflicting demands and work under pressure.
• A solution-focused mindset, always looking for ways to improve processes and outcomes.
• An understanding of local government and/or adult social care and health and the challenges facing these areas.
• An understanding of commissioning and/or procurement, or a willingness to learn
• Educated to A-level/NVQ3/HNC or equivalent.

We welcome applications from individuals seeking substantial part time employment (4 days per week) or as part of a job share arrangement.

Please refer to the job summary attached for full details about the role.

Other information

Interview date: week commencing 8th December

A full driving licence is required to be able to carry out the role.

For more information about the role, please contact Erica Taylor at [email protected]

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/