Strategic Commissioner - Government, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Autism

Role: Strategic Commissioner

Contracting Authority: Government

Contract Length: 3 Months

Location: London

IR35: Inside

Pay Rate: £550 per day

An exciting opportunity has become available with our prestigious client who is a prominent government department. The client is seeking an experienced Strategic Commissioner to join their welcoming team.

The Strategic Commissioner Role:

As a Strategic Commissioner, you will take a lead role in overseeing change programmes, service redesign and commissioning strategies across Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism services.

The post holder will report to the Head of Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Commissioning, within a dynamic and partnership-focused service that sits within the Adult Social Care department. The team is responsible for a wide portfolio of Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism services and strategies, including supported accommodation, community and floating support, prevention services, employment and advocacy.

The post holder will require a strong commitment to co-production, a clear focus on equalities and a collaborative approach to building relationships. Within this approach, they will be expected to:

• Build and sustain relationships with internal and external partners to implement all aspects of the health and social care agenda, working across adult social care, housing, health, the voluntary and community sector, and with our residents
• Contribute to an ethos of supportive leadership within the service. This includes representing the department at strategic meetings and supporting the development of the team’s commissioning approaches, quality assurance systems and a range of other identified priorities
• Collaborate with teams across the Council to ensure that commissioned services are delivered effectively, are value for money and support the Council’s objectives and the requirements of relevant legislation including the Care Act and procurement legislation
• Work with residents and stakeholders to coproduce services and plans, analysing and interpreting complex data and facts, and researching best practice. You will use this knowledge creatively to develop commissioning options that support decision making
• Lead on contract negotiations with providers, managing contract implementation and performance, financial agreements and ongoing service development
• Support the ongoing development of a strengths-based, person-centred approach in adult social care, as set out in Supporting People, Connecting Communities, our plan for living and ageing well in the community

What the Strategic Commissioner Will Need:

• Extensive experience and knowledge of commissioning in a Local Authority environment, ideally across accommodation-based and community-based services
• Flexible and able to work on several projects concurrently, the ability to prioritise and organise workload and maintain pace across different work streams
• Ability to lead and to work collaboratively with a range of people including residents, providers and senior managers in a complex multi-agency environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation and influencing skills
• Evidence of a commitment to, and an understanding of, diversity and equal opportunities issues and how to implement in practice
• Experience and skills for working in a political environment
• Experience and evidenced based skills for successful project and programme management, and delivery of agreed outcomes within specified timescales.

Minorities, women, LGBTQ+ candidates, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Interviews will take place this week, so please apply immediately to be considered for this exciting contract opportunity.