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Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
Commissioning Manager
We are delighted to be recruiting a part-time Commissioning Manager to look after some of our commissioned contracts.
The service leads the design of commissioning and contract management of services for children, young people and their families, including the joint commissioning and transformation of health and wellbeing services with the Integrated Care System and owning Councils. It works closely with operational managers to identify needs, co-design solutions, procure services and assist with effective contract management through the implementation of Achieving for Children’s commissioning strategy and framework, which aims to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and families at good value for money.
Salary advertised is full-time equivalent and will be pro rata'd for part-time hours.
About the role
The Commissioning Manager will be a dynamic and driven individual who has a passion for supporting children and young people through commissioning practices, taking responsibility for the more complex commissioning projects, usually involving a high number of stakeholders and a high level of resources, including financial. This post presents an exciting opportunity to be involved in supporting and developing our commissioning practices across AfC and particular projects within Windsor and Maidenhead. This is an important role which reports to the Head of Strategic Commissioning. The role will support strong commissioning practice with key stakeholders and colleagues in line with the commissioning framework - Plan, Analyse, Do, Review. This role will work closely with procurement, legal and service managers. Contracts include services such as youth counselling, young carers, ICB funded programmes and school meals.
Responsibilities will include:
- To support the management and maintenance of the company wide contracts register, work plan and commissioning policies
- To offer commissioning advice to service managers across the organisation
- Run a well governed commissioning process to achieve better outcomes and financial efficiency across the whole system
- Supporting the Head of Strategic Commissioning in various Commissioning activities that arise
- Manage key complex projects from start to finish and ongoing contract management to meet the PA23 regulations
- Deputise for the Strategic Head of Commissioning
- To implement the agreed strategies for AfC and its Councils which are focused on delivering key priorities
If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role please contact Lucy Roberts via lucy.roberts@achievingforchildren.org.uk
About you
- Degree qualification or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Experience in leading a team, undertaking line management, performance management and change management.
- Experience in procurement, contract management or commissioning and working with a range of different teams and people.
- Experience in researching policy and government legislation.
- Experience of managing stakeholders and motivating different project teams to reach an end goal.
- Knowledge of key issues relating to commissioning.
- Experience in building strong relationships across an organisation and key stakeholders.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here. For our Recruitment Journey, click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
