Senior Policy and Delivery Officer (Adult Skills Fund)

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Buckinghamshire is seeking a Senior Policy and Delivery Officer to drive inclusive growth through effective management of adult skills funding. This role involves developing funding policies, overseeing subcontractor performance, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in funding and project delivery, along with excellent communication and IT skills. Flexible working arrangements are available to support work-life balance.

Benefits

Employee discounts at local cafes and shops

Flexible working options

Automatic enrolment in pension scheme

Discounted gym memberships

Membership opportunities at Costco

Qualifications

• Proven track record in complex organisations, especially in adult education funding.
• Excellent IT and communication skills with understanding of relevant systems.
• Commitment to core values: Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy.

Responsibilities

• Develop funding guidelines for adult Skills Fund devolution.
• Manage subcontractor performance and payments accurately.
• Implement policies and coordinate partnerships across the skills sector.
• Oversee and report on a budget of £5.9 million.
• Engage with stakeholders for employability and skills programs.

Skills

Contract management

Project delivery

Communication skills

IT skills

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Are you passionate about driving inclusive growth and making a tangible impact on your community? Join us as a Senior Policy and Delivery Officer and help shape the future of adult skills funding and partnerships in Buckinghamshire. This role focuses on policy development, financial oversight, and stakeholder collaboration to empower local communities and ensure funding is used effectively to meet residents' needs.

Responsibilities

• Developing funding rules for adult Skills Fund devolution: create funding guidelines that outline how subcontractor performance determines payment, while ensuring compliance with audit and performance requirements.
• Managing subcontractor performance and payments: oversee the financial status of subcontractors, manage financial forecasts and payment schedules, and ensure payments are processed accurately and on time.
• Implementing policies and coordinating partnerships: develop and apply policies, engage with internal and external partners, and maintain professional relationships across the skills sector.
• Managing risks and reporting on program outcomes: evaluate complex data, recommend actions, address risks, and prepare reports tailored to different audiences.
• Overseeing a budget estimated at £5.9 million: administer a significant budget with attention to financial oversight and accountability.
• Engaging with various stakeholders: work with national, regional, and local stakeholders to deliver employability and skills programs such as Skills Bootcamps, Connect to Work, and Opportunity Bucks Jobs.

For flexible working, this role is supported as an 'any-desk' position. You will need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, which can be from home or an office location when required. You may be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on role and team requirements.

Requirements and what we’re looking for

• Proven track record in complex organisations, particularly in adult education funding, contract management, and project delivery.
• Excellent IT and communication skills, with a comprehensive understanding of relevant systems, policies, and legislation, including Government policy on Devolution, Skills England, and Ofsted.
• Commitment to our core values: Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy.

We also welcome candidates who can contribute to service delivery beyond core duties and support collaboration across teams.

About us and our values

The Skills and Partnerships Team is dedicated to fostering inclusive growth by delivering skills and employment outcomes that benefit people, employers, communities, and the economy in Buckinghamshire. Our mission is to raise aspirations and promote continuous, inclusive learning and development to help employers and residents adapt and grow. We pride ourselves on our values of pride, ambition, collaboration, and trustworthiness, and we strive to maintain high standards, initiative, and accountability in everything we do. We are proud to be an accessible and inclusive organisation and to stand as a Disability Confident employer. We offer flexible working to empower a productive and happy workforce and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Employee benefits

• Employee discounts at local cafes, restaurants, and shops
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• Automatic enrolment in our pension scheme
• Discounted gym memberships and travel offers, including Arriva buses
• Membership opportunities at Costco and other benefits

We value hard work and success and provide recognition, with a focus on work-life balance and flexible, agile working arrangements.