8230 - Contract Support Officers (Band 6) - Cumbria & Lancashire CRC / Northumbria CRC
Please note: Two (permanent) roles are available. One position will be based in Preston, Lancashire. The other in Newcastle upon Tyne or Durham.
Overview of the job
Accountable to a designated Senior Area Contract Manager (SACM) the CSO will support efficient and effective CRC contract management within their Area Team. The post holder will also support the work of the local Operational Audit (OA) Team to quality assure and audit operational service delivery and deliver the Annual Service Operational Audit Plan.
Summary
The CSO is a support role with administrative, secretariat and data handling and analysis responsibilities. Overall the post contributes to the support of the contract management team with their remit to monitor and validate provider performance, assure delivery of services in the community and manage the relevant contracts.
Working alongside the Senior Area Contract Manager and Service Manager (SM), the
CSO will support the delivery of the contract management governance processes in relation to designated CRCs within designated CPAs. They will provide a secretariat service by corordinating the Services Integration Group, Service Management Group, Relationship Management Group and Change Protocol Group and other groups as directed by the SACM and SM
The postrholder will support operational audit activity to assist the process of OA such as data collection and analysis, research and observation of CRC practice and performance.
The post holder will undertake research and analysis activities as required which will demand initiative and selfrmotivation. E.g. review of stakeholder surveys and opinions, development of 'good practice' case studies, reporting on risk and monitoring the provision of thirdrparty commissioned services.
The post holder will also ensure that changes to data requirements are approved by the Data Gateway Services protocol.
The geographical base for the CSO post can be flexible within their contract management Area, and will require some work in London and other locations
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
You will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Providing secretariat support to the Senior Contract Managers and Service Managers; the Relationship Management, Service Management, Service Integration and Change Protocol Group and any other meetings convened by them.
- Arranging and distributing the agenda and papers with direction from the relevant chair.
- Producing first draft minutes and action logs.
- Maintaining formal documentation, Terms of Reference, membership and distribution lists.
- Followingrup with action owners for updates.
- Filing, archiving and enacting version control on all relevant documentation.
- Supporting the Operational Audit Team to deliver their annual programme of assurance activities to operationally audit and analyse provider delivery data including: regular sample testing of CRC performance information & validation of reported data; involvement in periodic process review activities; and observation of CRC activities.
- Reviewing and monitoring performance data in relation to designated CRCs within designated CPAs.
- Supporting Senior Area Contract Managers and Service Managers in the delivery of onrgoing contract management activities with CRCs – e.g. followingrup requests for information, scheduling of ad hoc meetings
- Conducting research and analysis activities as required by Area Team mangers – e.g. review of stakeholder surveys and opinions, analysis of MI trends and issues, development of ‘good practice’ case studies, reporting on risk and monitoring the
- Provision of thirdrparty commissioned services
- Providing information to Director/ MoJ and others as required
- Ensuring changes to data requirements are approved by the Data Gateway
- Services protocol
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require rerexamination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.
Competencies
- Collaborating and Partnering
- Changing and Improving
- Achieving Commercial Outcomes
- Managing a Quality Service
- Acts with Integrity
Essential Qualifications, accreditation Registration Skills
No specific qualifications are essential but experience and skills relevant to business support, contract management, operational audit and commissioning are desirable : The essential requirements for this post would include;
- Good understanding of NOMS strategic direction
- Good level of confidence sufficient to allow post holder to represent the organisation in a professional manner to a range of stakeholders
- Sound skills to enable management of effective relationships in a contractual and political environment
- Sound knowledge of Project and Programme management techniques
- Sound attributes to prioritise the management of tasks and risks and with appropriate support, advice and guidance deliver tasks to time
- Sound problem solving, planning and communication skills
- Strong numerical and IT skills with strong presentation skills (written and verbal)
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong networking capabilities enabling the development of productive working relationships across organisational boundaries and across all levels of an organisation
- Working knowledge of public, private, social enterprise, charitable, voluntary and community sector organisations
- Strong analytical skills and research and evaluation skills to make informed judgements on concern and gaps in provision
- Sound ability to work in a dispersed team and be a self motivator with the capacity to organise and prioritise on the basis of organisational reputation / financial risk
- Strong Business support and/or secretariat experience
- Experience of corordinating, organising, reviewing and taking minutes of high level meetings in a politically sensitive environment involving a wide range of senior representatives.
- Strong commitment to valuing and promoting diversity as the vehicle for achieving successful business outcomes
- Strong commitment to excellence within a changing landscape with the ability to innovate and adapt working style
- Good ability to maintain professional integrity and adherence to organisational priorities in the face of competing pressures
Working Arrangements & Further Information
Some of MoJ’s, including NOMS, terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard working hours for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.
If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.
The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.
Benefits
Annual Leave
-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.
Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays
-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment
Pension
-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Work Life Balance
-The Prison Service is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. The Prison Service offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ
Season Ticket Advance
-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work
Childcare Vouchers
-The Prison Service offers a childcare vouchers scheme. The scheme enables staff to take part of their salary in the form of Childcare Vouchers. This is known as a Salary Sacrifice. The vouchers can then be used to help meet the costs of any form of registered or approved childcare for children aged 0-16. The vouchers are exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions
Training
-The Prison Service is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes
-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and the Prison Service provide a variety of training appropriate to individual posts
-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles
Eligibility
-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within NOMS
-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the Prison Service considers to be racist
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
24/04/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 24th April 2017 at 23:55 hours
If you require any assistance please call 0845 010 3508 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email hr-recruitment-enquiries@noms.gsi.gov.uk (please quote the job reference).
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.