Comissioning and Contracting Specialist

Location

Job details

Job description

                                
Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this [Information Pack] https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Jobs-and-Careers/Working-for-Gwynedd/Working-for-Gwynedd.aspx
Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.
We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.
(Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)
For further information about this post please contact Hawis Jones on 01286 679661
Interviews will be held on Monday morning, 22/06/2026
Application forms are available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH
Tel: 01286 679076
E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
CLOSING DATE: 10:00 AM, 09/06/2026
If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.
                            

                
QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING
ESSENTIAL

                
Purpose of Post
• Contribute to the work of developing, reviewing and introducing the commissioning strategy for all procurement/commissioning associated with People (the People category) to satisfy the council’s business requirements
• Assist with the work of determining service commissioning and business requirements to secure results and requirements for all expenditure associated with the People category.
• Hold continuous reviews of expenditure and procurement and commissioning activity of the specific categories to identify opportunities and deliver benefits.
• Lead on the work of identifying the care and wellbeing needs of the population of Gwynedd by analysing data, researching and communicating with people
• Contribute to the work of developing, managing and reporting on strategic performance measures and key contracting in accordance with the council’s performance management framework.
• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the centre of everything we do.
 
Responsibility for Resources. e.g. staff, finance, equipment
• None – But responsible for assisting the Commissioning, Contracting and Projects Manager to shape the work programme of the Commissioning and Contracting Officer
 
Main Duties.
 1. Forming and delivering the specific category and commissioning plans of the People category which will lead to services being commissioned that help people to live their lives in the way that they wish.
2. Ensuring that clear implementation plans derive from the category and commissioning plans; monitor them effectively and regularly and report on progress against the content of the category and commissioning plans to the Commissioning and Contracting Manager and/or Corporate Procurement Manager.
3. Develop an understanding of the market and support the services to develop detailed information about the requirements and quality of provision. Use the evidence as a basis to present a business case to meet the needs of the relevant services for specific categories.
4. Co-ordinate and facilitate the category management and commissioning procedure and ensure relevant input by all stakeholders.
5. Contribute to the work of developing the procurement and commissioning strategy of the People category which includes:
• The preparation of local population needs assessments and contribute towards the regional assessment
• The preparation of plans for specific categories which will include a detailed needs assessment for specific groups of individuals and the possible options with regards to commissioning services to meet their needs.
• The preparation of Market Position Statements
6. Where needed, carry out any procurement processes including preparing tender documentation, developing and setting contracts and negotiating terms with providers on behalf of the services.
7. Co-ordinate and implement contract and provider management/monitoring systems, as part of the category management stages for a range of procurement/commissioning arrangements within the People category including those which are jointly procured/commissioned with Health and other partners. Share this monitoring information, where appropriate, with the Safeguarding and Quality Unit to facilitate their work of monitoring quality.
8. Identify, deliver, own and report on the efficiency schemes of specific categories and commissioning. This can include preparing specific analytical work on behalf of the service and propose possible solutions that the service in question could implement.
9. Keep up-to-date with procurement and commissioning developments which affect the category and commissioning plans of the People category. This includes maintaining an awareness of what is happening in other areas and taking advantage of networks outside of Cyngor Gwynedd in order ensure consistency between local and cross-departmental, sub-regional and regional strategies.
10. Work in a way which promotes a culture that is rooted in the concept of “One Council”.
11. Develop and maintain an excellent working relationship with the key stakeholders in the commissioning and procurement cycle, including:
• service manager and the relevant teams


									

						
							
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							• suppliers in the public, independent and third sector,
• service users and their families
• regional partners / other counties
12. Follow the principles of “Ffordd Gwynedd” in all aspects of the work, concentrating on the customer and on developing services and strategies from the bottom up to ensure effective service provision which concentrate on outcomes which will meet the needs of the population of Gwynedd for the future.
13. Prepare scoping documents, briefing papers and programmes in accordance with requirements from the Commissioning, Contracts and Projects Manager, Senior Managers, Head of Service or Corporate Director and advise and give guidance with regards to good practice.
 
14. Frequently engage and work collaboratively with stakeholders (internal and external) to co-produce ideas and category and commissioning plans to ensure that people’s voice is heard when developing services to meet the needs of the local population.
15. Work collaboratively with the Finance Unit to identify and benchmark service rates and costs (internal and external) and contribute to developing measures, outcomes, targets and performance indicators that will ensure that effective financial planning arrangements are established, and that plans for commissioning services of best value and quality which meet the needs are realistic in terms of the available budgets.
16. Establish and lead task and finish steering groups and prepare progress reports on the actions of agreed plans, ensuring that the services are always informed of progress and notified of any delay as a result of problems as soon as possible.
17. Collaborate closely with different services/units/teams in accordance with the requirements on category and commissioning plans in order to identify any issues which need resolving in order to provide services and/or remodel provision.
18. Support and/or delegate on behalf of the Commissioning, Contracting and Projects Manager at meetings with key stakeholders and where appropriate act as the representative for Gwynedd on regional project groups which will lead to local service improvements.
19. Participate in training and development activities as agreed with the Commissioning, Contracting and Projects Manager and encourage good practice as a basis for social care arrangements and provision.
20. Ensure awareness of relevant legislation, guidance and good practice and conduct continuous research into new and innovative models of service delivery that can be considered as part of the category and commissioning plans of the People category.
21. Operate as a departmental champion on facilitation and co-production techniques, and be prepared to advise and give guidance to managers and staff across the departments
General other:
22. Manage and monitor risks, by solving arising problems and issues, taking remedial steps, or maximising important issues to the manager according to the principle of management by exception;
23. Verify and manage the quality of the products and outputs of the work expected by the post – ensuring their consistency, their compatibility with the council’s other strategies, and that they satisfy any other corporate technical and specialist standards;
24. Operate within the council’s policies and procedures in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
25. Responsibility for self-development.
26. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
27. Responsible for managing information in accordance with the council’s information management standards and guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
28. Commit to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and encourage others to act positively towards reducing the council’s Carbon Footprint.
29. Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds with the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
30. Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused
 
Special Circumstances e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
• Attend meetings and committees outside normal working hours.