Contract Officer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Working RelationshipsThe post holder will be required to maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.To foster excellent relationships with Providers, engendering honest and open communication and mutual respect between clinical commissioners and providers Contract Officer Band 5Participate in relevant internal and external working groups/projects, services, and initiatives to provide, information and contractual advice to portfolio leads.Liaising with portfolio leads and ICS Delivery Groups to ensure that activity, financial and quality related requirements that are discussed in non-contractual forums are recorded for contractual management purposes.Communicate information and issues, including briefings and reports, to job manager, portfolio leads, and ICS Delivery Groups as appropriate.

Functional ResponsibilitiesProject ManagementTo support the end-to-end contractual pathway including contract award, leading on contractual documentation, supporting commissioning portfolio leads with in year contract management and responsibility for reporting contractual performance against key indicators. Any variances to be investigated and escalated to the appropriate portfolio lead;To support ICB portfolio leads in preparing for end of contract term, ensuring communication with ICB portfolio leads for early planning.Provide administrative support to provider performance meetings, including supporting portfolio leads in the ICB to lead the process, minute taking, agenda support , management of issue logs/action trackers and follow-up of actions required in between meetings, all within agreed timeframes.Where delegated to do so, represent the ICB at contract review meetings and other contractual fora.Manage documentation throughout the contracts process, ensuring that contract documentation is kept up to date, including records of routine correspondence and disputes.Ensuring contractual amendments are enacted and documented in response to service change proposals;To support portfolio leads in using the contract alongside to hold providers to account for delivery of services and performance where this is not undertaken in ICS Delivery Groups.Undertake information/project analysis as agreed with job lead.

Financial and Physical ResourcesSupport and inform ICB portfolio leads in targeting of resources, monitoring, and delivery of financial recovery/savings plans.ManagementProvide training, advice and support on contractual technical matters.Information Management.Analyse a range of information from a range of sources to support contract reporting; contract negotiation and service developmentCollect issues and evidence, respond to general queries from ICB managers in relation to commissioned and non-commissioned services and properly escalate disputes;Liaise with providers on behalf of ICB portfolio leads to investigate specific performance or operational issues and report back including advice on use of contractual terms to resolve the issue.Maintain administrative and information resources related to the role.

Research and Development:Carry out web based and publications research as required.Actively supports and contributes to the development of key performance indicators for the successful assessment of performance.

Operational ResponsibilitiesPlanning and Organisation:Support implementation of project, service, initiative through timely and relevant information analysis and administrative support, in accordance with the agreed priorities of the Team.Deliver against agreed objectives, achieving quality outcomes.Organise meetings or events and assist in the diary management requirements of individuals in connection with portfolio of work.Policy and Service Development:Ensure knowledge of relevant ICB policies and procurement regulations is used within role.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Essential

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
• Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, contracting and performance management either within the NHS or a sector of comparable complexity

Communication Skills & Analytical

Essential

• Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands

Planning, Management & Autonomy

Essential

• Skills for supporting project management
• Skills for managing aspects of projects ensuring they meet financial targets.
• Skills for manipulating information. Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB

Address

Jenner House, Unit E3, Langley Park,

Avon Way,

Chippenham,

SN15 1GG

Employer's website

https://bsw.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)