In West Sussex we are learning as a community of multi-disciplinary services how to work together more effectively. At the heart of what we do are the principles of safety and quality of care. We aim to sustain good quality care by working more proactively with service providers and suppliers across the county.

The function of this team is designed to stabilise and strengthen the residential care, residential with nursing, and care and support at home sectors across West Sussex.

This is part of WSCC's quality assurance and safeguarding resource located across the health and social care system but, unlike traditional models of quality assurance which focus primarily on an individual’s quality and safety of care; this will focus on the quality and safety of the place in which care is delivered.

You will be part of the team that will ensure that good quality, sustainable care is available for all our residents. Working proactively with the existing and emerging suppliers you will develop relationships with the health and social care market which ensure services are responsive to demand and are of good quality.

As a Contracts Officer or Senior Contracts Officer you will be part of the team that will ensure that good quality, affordable care is available for all our residents. Working proactively with the existing and emerging markets you will develop relationships with customers and providers that ensure services are responsive and meet need.

You will be responsible for managing a number of low to medium risk/low to medium value contracts as a Contracts Officer or medium/high risk – medium/high value complex contracts as a Senior Contracts Officer to ensure performance is achieved at the appropriate level. The contracts will vary in size and complexity depending on the services being offered and the outcomes required. The role will collate performance information through the set up and management of routine monitoring processes including regular contractor meetings.

A key aspect of the role will be the development of outcome based contract performance measures focused on customer experiences, service quality and financial performance. Your understanding of how outcomes and impacts can be agreed and how these can be achieved through the procurement/tendering processes will be critical. In addition an understanding of market dynamics and market intelligence/development strategies would be desirable

This will be a challenging, dynamic and rewarding role and we are looking for individuals who have the appropriate aptitude and skills to make a difference for some of the most vulnerable residents in our society.