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:

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

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & Contract Management

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

Performance & Governance

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

Quality Improvement

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

Leadership & Management

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

Health, Safety & Equality

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

Essential Knowledge

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

Essential Experience

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

Essential Skills

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

Key Areas of Expertise

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