Commissioning Officer

Main duties and responsibilities:

1.     To act as lead commissioner for a range of OPCC commissioned services, as allocated.

2.     Support formal procurement processes and ensure work is in compliance with appropriate procurement law, developing close links with the West Midlands Police Procurement department.

3.     Provide support in all procurement activities including tender preparation, award of contracts and all related processes.

4.     To support and advise on other commissioning activity as required to meet the aims and objectives of the PCC.  

5.     Support the strategic planning and commissioning of PCC outcomes by working with policy team.

6.     Monitor and gather output and outcome data from contracts/grants and provide some analysis to inform future commissioning decisions.

7.     Monitor and gather OPCC, force and additional stakeholder data to form a picture of need and impact, whilst complimenting this with intelligence to support commissioning decisions.

8.     Investigate and research successful service models to help provide the evidence base for effective commissioning in relation to the budgets of the OPCC.

9.     Develop positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and policy leads making them aware of the strategic direction of service development.

10.   Provide feedback from providers and stakeholders to assist in the development and implementation of commissioning strategies.

11.   Support the work of associated Boards designed to support the commissioning process.

12.   Assist in the provision of information in respect of new guidance and policies that are likely to have an impact on the provision of services.

13.   To disseminate information to stakeholders and track/monitor required actions on Project Plans for each area of commissioned activity.

14.   Assist with ensuring good communication with service providers and stakeholders making them aware of good practice and changing requirements.

15.   To be responsible for ensuring that where remedial action plans are agreed with service providers / stakeholders, that these are monitored and improvement targets (where appropriate) are monitored to agreed timescales.

16.   Provide support to the Performance Manager in compiling performance data and contribute to the construction of performance reports and support the strategic planning and performance monitoring activity of the OPCC

17.   Deputise for the Chief Finance Officer and / or Head of Policy and Commissioning at meetings and conferences.

18.   To be responsible for their relationships with relevant partners, including West Midlands Police, Community Safety Partnerships, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Directors of Public Health, etc.

19.   To represent the PCC on strategic partnerships as required, including Community Safety Partnerships, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Joint Commissioning Groups etc.

20.   To lead liaison, to include monitoring and evaluation with voluntary sector organisations within designated portfolio areas.

21.   To be responsible for effective liaison with national bodies, such as the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Local Government Association in relevant portfolio areas and supporting national work streams as required.

22.   Safeguarding Champion – responsible for ensuring the implementation, consistent monitoring and improvements to the OPCC Safeguarding policy and related procedures.

23.   Develop, produce and present briefing papers, reports, spreadsheets and presentations in a range of different settings .

24.   Keep abreast of developments, policies, legislation and best practice etc to inform OPCC policy and practice Attend regional groups and networks as agreed with the Head of Policy and Commissioning.

Other responsibilities:

•      Support the Police and Crime Commissioner, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and Chief Executive in raising awareness of and actively promoting the role of the PCC with political leaders and decision makers across the West Midlands.
• ·    Build, maintain and manage effective and influential relationships with a wide range of colleagues in other organisations locally, regionally and nationally.
• ·    Ensure compliance with the framework for knowledge management to support effective decision making.
• ·    Represent the PCC, APCCs and office to contribute to discussions at multiagency meetings/conferences/events.
• ·    Support the delivery of ad hoc projects that contribute to achieving the priorities of the PCC and APCCs.
• ·    Support the development of programmes and projects and initiatives and ensure the delivery of required outputs and outcomes.
• ·    Support the implementation of change programmes.
• ·    Take responsibility for personal and professional development and maximise own resources in a way with reflects the values of the OPCC.
• ·    Work closely with the other colleagues to improve operational practices and effectiveness.
• ·    Comply with the framework for knowledge management to support effective decision making.
• ·    Ensure compliance with all OPCC policies, procedures and practices.
• ·    Undertake such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the level of the post.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent or experiential learning

Desirable:

• ·   Post Graduate/Management qualification
• ·   Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) 
• ·   Project management training/qualification (e.g. PRINCE or similar)

Experience

Essential:

Experience of (or demonstrable ability):

• assisting the development, review and implementation of strategies and plans in the public sector
• experience of supporting negotiations and reviews of contracts.
• supporting the implementation of performance management frameworks and business planning processes
• providing advice in relation to policy, strategic planning and performance
• horizon scanning to keep abreast of emerging agendas and issues
• managing projects
• multi-agency and partnership working
• analysing and interpreting complex data sets
• using information and intelligence to ensure effective decision making and policy development and continuous improvement
• carrying out research activities and projects using a range of techniques and methods

Desirable:

Experience of:    

•    working in a political environment    
•    analysing, interpreting, presenting and utilising organisational insight
•    collect and analyse insight to inform decision making and continual improvement

Knowledge and skills

Essential:

• Knowledge and experience of undertaking complex commissioning, working with partners and delivery structures relevant to the role of the PCC
• Understand and comply with legislation and regulations including Standing Orders and Financial Regulations and ensure probity in all transactions. Be aware of EU Procurement Directives and interpret their requirements when considering the necessary procedures for establishing contracts.
• Relevant knowledge of policing and crime policy and ability to interpret and advise on specific issues as required.
• Knowledge of current issues facing the public sector and policing in particular, including key policy areas, performance management and business planning
• Support the development, review and implementation of strategies and policies
• Knowledge of performance management frameworks, processes and procedures
• Knowledge of business planning approaches
• Construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly to a range of audiences, formally and informally using a variety of techniques
• Ability to prioritise and manage workloads and competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills
• An understanding of research methodologies and their application
• Understanding of data quality and information governance issues
• High levels of analytical and research skills
• Analysis and interpretation of complex data sets
• Proven negotiating, influencing, networking and partnership building skills
• Ability to utilise a full range of standard office IT software/packages
• Motivating and inspiring others to achieve
• Proactive ‘self-starter’
• Ability to seek out innovation and creative solutions
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to work as part of a team to achieve objectives
• Political sensitivity and astuteness
• Promote diversity and racial equality
• Commitment to continuous professional development

Desirable:

•     Knowledge of relevant legislation in particular the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
•     Understand structures and functions of Police and Crime Commissioners and the tripartite structure of policing in the UK
•     Understand the Government’s public sector reform programme and police reform in particular
•     Knowledge and understanding of the Equality Act 2010
•     Knowledge of project and programme management methodologies
•     Knowledge of economic development and regeneration

Personal Qualities 

• ·  Proactive ‘self-starter’
• ·  Ability to seek out innovation and creative solutions
• ·  Ability to work on own initiative
• ·  Ability to work as part of a team to achieve objectives
• ·  Political sensitivity and astuteness
• ·  Promote diversity and racial equality
• ·  Commitment to continuous professional development