At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and management of services for children and families in Hackney.
- Company: Hackney Council, committed to making a difference for children and families.
- Benefits: Excellent training, career advancement opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while collaborating with diverse partners.
- Qualifications: Passion for improving services, strategic thinking, and strong relationship-building skills.
Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity until 31 March 2029. Hackney is ambitious, pioneering, and proud. We are looking for dynamic and experienced individuals to join our Children’s Integrated Commissioning Service. The Children’s Integrated Commissioning Service is the architect of a system that supports our children to thrive. We don’t just manage contracts; we design the entire network of services for children and families. We bring together health, education, social care and VCS partners to work as one, ensuring every child gets the right help, at the right time, in the right way.
We are looking for passionate, creative, and determined people to join our team and to lead wider strategic thinking across the Council and the NHS, aligning the developments within children’s and education services to wider corporate plans and cementing relationships with providers both within and beyond our community.
About the role
We are recruiting one Children’s Commissioning & Contracts Officer to help us plan, buy, and manage the Early Years and Children and Family Hubs critical services that support our children and families. In this role you will play a critical role in ensuring high-quality and effective service design and commissioning activity, bringing your strategy, commissioning and project management expertise, whilst engaging stakeholders to shape and design and review our services. You will work to clear governance frameworks, and work closely with programme leads and wider colleagues across the Children and Education Directorate to achieve our vision.
In this role, you will:
- Analyse needs and shape the market
- Review and design services to be delivered by the Council or to be procured from external organisations
- Manage tenders and contracts
- Work with providers to drive quality and innovation
- Ensure every pound we spend makes a difference
Who are we looking for?
You might be an organisational powerhouse, a data whizz, a natural relationship builder, a strategic thinker, or a creative problem-solver. Whatever your background, you are driven by a relentless desire to make things better for children. You are curious, brave, and you believe in the power of collaboration. If you’re ready to move beyond the ordinary and do work that truly matters, we want to hear from you.
Why Hackney?
Our Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model informs everything we do. Following on from our Anti Racist Summit in October 2023 we remain committed to dismantling systemic racism, discrimination, injustice and making anti-racism a foundation of our practice. We provide wide-ranging and excellent training and development opportunities; we will help you to develop excellent practice, leading to career advancement at your own pace. We are an innovative borough where we collaborate to support change for the children and families we work for and for each other.
Ready to build the future with us? If you’re ready to move beyond the ordinary and do work that truly matters, we want to hear from you. As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.
We withhold the right to close this role early if we receive a high volume of applications. We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk
Closing date for applications: 06 September 2026 (22:59). Interviews will take place: W/c 21 September 2026.
Commissioning and Contracts Officer employer: Hackney Borough Council
Hackney Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises the development of future leaders in local government. As a Management Trainee apprentice, you will benefit from a structured programme that combines hands-on experience across various departments with formal training, all while being part of a progressive council dedicated to equity and community engagement. With competitive salaries, comprehensive support, and a commitment to employee growth, Hackney Council stands out as a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning and Contracts Officer
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning and Contracts Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hackney Borough Council
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Hackney Borough Council.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Hackney Borough Council that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
