Commissioning Assistant

Essex County Counci; Chelmsford; Remote; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading local authority as a Commissioning Assistant, supporting strategic commissioning for children and families. You'll coordinate activities, manage projects, and engage with various stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery. This role offers flexible working and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working

Support for unpaid carers

Qualifications

• Experience of the commissioning cycle or coordinating services for children with SEND.
• Proven ability to manage or deliver commissioning projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily support for planned and reactive activities, including report writing and project coordination.
• Assist with project planning and monitoring to ensure high standards.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Relationship Building

Project Coordination

Networking

Education

L3 NVQ or equivalent

Job description

Commissioning Assistant

Fixed Term, Full Time

£25,081 up to £27,653 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Please note that this position is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment for 18 months. It may require occasional working until 6pm on Fridays.

The Opportunity

This role is vital within Strategic Commissioning and Policy across Children, Families portfolios, and the wider Essex County Council. It supports outcome-focused and evidence-based commissioning, primarily around Short Breaks registrations and bookings for children and young people with SEND and their families.

As a Commissioning Assistant, you will support various commissioning activities that ensure strategic planning and effective arrangements for the Children and Families Strategic Commissioning team.

The role involves coordinating and facilitating activities led by Commissioning Managers and Heads of Commissioning, including needs analysis, co-production, designing solutions, and monitoring impact. Knowledge of the commissioning cycle, relationship-building, problem-solving, and resourcefulness are essential.

Accountabilities

1. Provide daily support within a matrix-managed team for planned and reactive activities, including report writing, governance reporting, project coordination, engagement events, and administrative duties.
2. Assist Heads of Commissioning and managers with project planning, development, and monitoring to ensure high standards.
3. Maintain good relationships internally and externally, collaborating with families, providers, schools, social care, and local authorities.
4. Respond swiftly to challenges and opportunities, managing risks and ensuring compliance with regulations; contribute to consultation responses.
5. Deliver projects that promote continuous improvement, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, developing cross-functional links.
6. Support a flexible approach to sourcing and resourcing within the Children, Families, and Adults teams.
7. Work with stakeholders across ECC and partners to deliver value for money and positive outcomes.
8. Utilize tools and techniques for consistent, effective activity and maintain an audit trail.
9. Meet individual and team targets and objectives set annually.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Educated to L3 NVQ or equivalent by experience, with excellent communication skills.
• Experience of the commissioning cycle or coordinating services for children with SEND.
• Experience engaging with families, practitioners, providers, and partners.
• Proven ability to manage or deliver commissioning projects.
• Strong influencing, networking, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, changing environments.

Desirable:

• Understanding of Social Care and expertise in children and families.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and specialist knowledge.

Learn more about us at: Children & Families

Why Essex?

Essex is a large, dynamic UK local authority serving 1.8 million residents over 1,420 sq miles. We focus on transformational change and quality improvement at lower costs, ranked highly for productivity. We offer flexible working and innovation-driven opportunities for career development or community contribution.

In February 2025, Essex joined the Government’s devolution priority programme, aiming to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. More about devolution and LGR can be found on our careers site.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who meet minimum job requirements, and supporting veterans and care leavers. Once employed, you'll benefit from flexible work arrangements and support for unpaid carers.

We uphold high standards of integrity and ethics, following the Nolan principles. All roles requiring a DBS check will involve registration with the DBS update service, which you are responsible for maintaining. More info at: https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults; all employees and volunteers share this commitment.

Stay updated on opportunities, news, and industry insights by joining The Essex Talent Community.

For queries or further information, contact us at: [e-mail].

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. More details are available on our careers page.

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