Contract Support Manager

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience

Job overview

The post holder will support contractual processes and deputise for the Contracting and Collaboration team as directed, working with outside agencies to ensure that the Trust services are represented, and information is shared. This will involve representing the Trust at meetings as required to support the work of the Trust's Contracting ad Collaboration Team and taking the lead role for specific projects and contracts.

The post holder shall provide financial and administrative support to assist in the commissioning, performance reporting and monitoring of both health and non-healthcare contracts and provide support to other team members in carrying out their work. This will include holding a small portfolio of contracts the post holder will take a lead on, with support from the Senior Contracts Manager and Head of Contracts and Collaboration.

You will need to be responsive and adapt to change. We will require you to identify opportunities for improving the contracting/ commissioning processes and work with your colleagues to deliver change.

Main duties of the job

Provide a coordinating role across a variety of projects for the Trust Contracting Team;

Work flexibly across a broad range of projects and work streams ensuring that project plans are in place, regularly reviewed and updated and that key actions and work is progressed, either individually or by the relevant team member;

The post holder will deputise for the Contract Managers as directed and work with outside agencies to ensure that the Trust services are represented and information is shared. This will involve representing the Trust at meetings as required to support the work of the Trust's Contracts Team by undertaking the lead role for specific projects and providing support to other team members in carrying out their work.

To support the process of drafting the content of contracts and associated and related contract documentation.

To contribute to the improvement of contracting and commissioning processes at a day to day operational level including working on the sign off of contract and service variations working directly with commissioners and suppliers.

To support management of the Trust's contracts, Partnerships and tender projects by working within appropriate processes, controls and systems put in place to meet the Trust's statutory and contractual obligations.

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

ROLESUMMARY

The post holder will support contractual processes and deputise for the Contracting and Collaboration team as directed, working with outside agencies to ensure that the Trust services are represented, and information is shared. This will involve representing the Trust at meetings as required to support the work of the Trust's Contracting ad Collaboration Team and taking the lead role for specific projects and contracts.

The post holder shall provide financial and administrative support to assist in the commissioning, performance reporting and monitoring of both health and non-healthcare contracts and provide support to other team members in carrying out their work. This will include holding a small portfolio of contracts the post holder will take a lead on, with support from the Senior Contracts manager and Head of Contracting and Collaboration.

You will need to be responsive and adapt to change. We will require you to identify opportunities for improving the contracting/ commissioning processes and work with your colleagues to deliver change.

DUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITIES

Provide a coordinating role across a variety of projects for the Trust Contracting Team;

Work flexibly across a broad range of projects and work streams ensuring that project plans are in place, regularly reviewed and updated and that key actions and work is progressed, either individually or by the relevant team member;

The post holder will deputise for the Contracts Managers as directed and work with outside agencies to ensure that the Trust services are represented and information is shared. This will involve representing the Trust at meetings as required to support the work of the Trust's Contracting and Collaboration Team by undertaking the lead role for specific projects and providing support to other team members in carrying out their work.

To support the process of drafting the content of contracts and associated and related contract documentation.

To support the monitoring and oversight of the Trust's delivery in CQUIN indicators and supporting on the collation of evidence.

To contribute to the improvement of contracting and commissioning processes at a day to day operational level including working on the sign off of contract and service variations working directly with commissioners and suppliers.

To support management of the Trust's contracts, Partnerships and tender projects by working within appropriate processes, controls and systems put in place to meet the Trust's statutory and contractual obligations.

To assist the wider team to ensure the governance around contractual arrangements is of a standard appropriate for a Foundation Trust.

To assist the team with the various systems and processes put in place to ensure that notices, changes to contracts and contractual performance management requirements are issued in accordance with contractual terms and conditions;

Supporting the development of appropriate processes and systems for agreeing and monitoring contracts, supporting tender process and contract document development at all stages, and ensuring these are reviewed regularly and remain fit for purpose.

Contract development will include input to service specifications and contract performance indicators.

To assist the Contracting and Collaboration Team in supporting the delivery and development of improved performance across the organisation.

To assist the Contracting and Collaboration Team in administering the contract performance monitoring systems to enable timely and accurate analysis.

The post holder will research as directed on strategic issues, based on firm evidence and management information which will underpin the delivery of services at all levels across the organisation. This requires particularly close working with the Trust's Head of Contracting and Collaboration, Senior Contracts Manager, Contract Managers, clinical leaders and senior managers throughout the Trust to ensure patient requirements are made explicit in the strategy, taking into account the direction of external stakeholders or competitors for patient service provision.

To undertake training and development in support of the role and to ensure own personal development

To adhere to all Trust policies and procedures: especially ensuring information is managed, retained and stored in line with the Trust's Information Governance and Records' Management policies and procedures, including ensuring that confidentiality of financial and administrative records is maintained.

Establish and maintain relationships with the board of directors, corporate staff and operational staff.

Providing support as requested with the development and monitoring of Contracts including the correct implementation of national guidance in new service delivery and awareness of how costs associated with contracts impact on the delivery of services and achievement of KPIs.

Establish good working relationships at every level and clear communications with colleagues across the Trust and with Commissioners and other third parties.

Work with any Trust department/team at all stages of the tendering process and contractual negotiations as required providing support to wider initiatives, to maximise opportunities and mutual benefits to ensure services improve. Support relevant projects as requested outside the Finance Directorate to assist with delivering new policies for data capture and service design.

Act as the organiser of the team developing a clear understanding of the role and functions of the various teams with which there are interactions daily; and

To undertake other appropriate duties as directed, being adaptable to service needs and changes.

Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Minimal requirement: NVQ level 4 / Diploma / Higher National Certificate OR equivalent level of knowledge / certification / will be taken into consideration

Desirable criteria

• Continuing Professional Development in a contract related discipline.

Skills
Essential criteria

• Ability to adhere to tight deadlines
• Clear logical mind coupled with attention to detail and persistence

Knowledge
Essential criteria

• Knowledge of NHS contracting and commissioning approaches

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a role with a contracts/ commissioning or management function

YOUR APPLICATION

We can provide all our job application materials in alternative formats so that these are accessible to everyone. Should you require any documents within this job pack in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us at

PLEASE NOTE: If you use a hotmail, msn or yahoo e-mail account, you will need to check your "junk" mail regularly as these email providers will divert any communication from this Trust/NHS JOBS straight into your " junk" inbox.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post may be 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 certification / accreditation badges

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