Commissioning Officer

Commissioning Officer

Location - Hove Town Hall, BN3 3BR

Duration – 6 months Contract

Reports To: Head of Commissioning & Performance

Purpose of the Role

To ensure services for single homeless people and rough sleepers are person-centred, outcomes-focused, inclusive, deliver value for money, and promote a sustainable and diverse provider market.

The role focuses on:

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• Commissioning accommodation and support services for single homeless people.
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• Monitoring and improving service performance and transparency.
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• Ensuring high-quality performance reporting and statutory compliance.
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• Supporting the Council's objective of reducing and preventing rough sleeping.
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Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & Contract Management

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• Develop and deliver commissioning plans that support Housing and Homelessness priorities and contribute to reducing rough sleeping.
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• Work with Housing, Adult Social Care, Health partners, CCGs, providers and other stakeholders to commission services based on assessed need and best practice.
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• Lead the development of new services and markets, ensuring value for money and improved outcomes for service users.
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• Manage and monitor commissioned contracts and identify opportunities to improve service delivery.
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• Promote partnership working across Housing, Health, Social Care and the voluntary sector.
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• Support the development of sustainable and diverse local service markets.
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• Use evidence-based quality assurance processes to improve services and outcomes.
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Performance & Governance

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• Ensure performance frameworks and improvement plans support effective service delivery and commissioning.
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• Monitor service performance and ensure compliance with national and local requirements.
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• Complete statutory returns, surveys and performance reporting within required deadlines.
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• Lead stakeholder consultation and engagement activities to support policy, strategy and service development.
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• Analyse performance data, service user feedback and outcomes information to drive service improvement.
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• Support strong Information Governance and compliance with relevant legislation and standards.
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• Develop and monitor KPIs and performance measures.
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• Produce reports for senior leadership, governance boards and elected members.
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Quality Improvement

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• Ensure providers maintain robust improvement plans and deliver agreed actions.
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• Monitor quality standards across commissioned and in-house supported housing services.
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• Lead cross-sector quality improvement initiatives involving providers, Health partners, Adult Social Care and regulatory bodies.
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• Promote continuous improvement and best practice across services.
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• Support safeguarding investigations, service complaints and improvement actions relating to vulnerable adults.
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• Act as the key contact for Fire Safety service agreements and liaise with Corporate Health & Safety teams.
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• Identify risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
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Leadership & Management

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• Line manage Commissioning Officers, Coordinators and project resources where required.
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• Provide leadership, coaching and performance management to staff.
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• Contribute to workforce development and professional learning.
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• Support business continuity planning and respond to major incidents when required.
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• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy.
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• Support the implementation of Housing Directorate plans and strategic objectives.
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Health, Safety & Equality

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• Ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and related regulations.
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• Undertake risk assessments and promote safe working practices.
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• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions where necessary.
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• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in service delivery and staff management.
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• Support the Council's Inclusive Council Policy.
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Essential Knowledge

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• Housing and Homelessness legislation, policy and best practice.
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• Adult Social Care legislation and care pathways.
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• Homelessness Reduction Act, Care Act and related frameworks.
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• Commissioning, procurement and contract management.
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• CQC regulations and quality monitoring frameworks.
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• Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults procedures.
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• Information Governance and data management.
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• Project management methodologies and tools.
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• Public sector performance management and statutory reporting requirements.
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Essential Experience

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• Service commissioning within Housing, Social Care or Health settings.
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• Contract and performance management.
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• Service improvement and change management.
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• Managing projects and delivering successful outcomes.
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• Partnership working with statutory, independent and voluntary sector organisations.
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• Housing support or homelessness services.
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• Quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
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• Safeguarding vulnerable adults.
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• Staff leadership and line management.
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• Developing strategies, action plans and performance frameworks.
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Essential Skills

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• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building abilities.
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• Report writing and presentation skills.
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• Ability to influence, negotiate and challenge effectively.
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• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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• Budget awareness and financial understanding.
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• Ability to interpret performance data and drive improvement.
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• Risk management and decision-making skills.
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• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
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• Strong leadership and team management capability.
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Key Areas of Expertise

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• Rough Sleeping & Homelessness Services
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• Housing Needs & Supported Housing
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• Commissioning & Procurement
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• Contract & Performance Management
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• Adult Social Care
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• Safeguarding
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• Service Improvement & Quality Assurance
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• Stakeholder Management
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• Public Sector Governance
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• Project & Change Management
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• Information Governance
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• Leadership & Staff Management
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