At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and manage commissioning activities for services helping older adults live independently.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, a supportive team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with diverse employee networks and clear career progression pathways.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on older adults' lives while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38363 - 40778 £ per year.
Contract: Fixed Term (maternity cover)
Location: Plough Lane
Hours: 37
Salary: HC08 £38,363 - £40,778
Closing date: 16 August 2026
Interview date: 2nd September 2026 (in person at Plough Lane, Hereford)
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Commissioning Officer to join our busy Care in Your Home portfolio area, which forms part of the council’s All Age Commissioning Team (ageing well). This fast-paced role will include supporting and undertaking a full range of commissioning activities for services for older adults in Herefordshire, predominately services which help residents to live safely and independently in their own homes. The Care in Your Home portfolio area is working on a number of high profile and strategically important commissioning activities over the next 12 months, to re‑design and improve services in residents’ own homes ensuring they are high quality, person‑centred and outcome focused and delivering best value for the council and our residents.
You will be expected to ‘hit the ground running’ and work closely with the Acting Senior Commissioning Manager and Commissioning Manager to support the current re‑commissioning activities, along with ongoing contract and performance management and provider market engagement in this interesting and challenging area.
Key Responsibilities
- Fully support and undertake robust commissioning activities for services for older adults within the Care in Your Home portfolio area
- High level contract management, performance monitoring and quality assurance
- Provider market research, engagement and data analysis to help inform service development
- Work collaboratively and build relationships with internal teams and external providers to ensure high quality service delivery and improved outcomes for residents
About You
You will be an experienced commissioner, who is used to working in a fast-paced and challenging commissioning environment, preferably within local government. You will be passionate about delivering high quality services which help older adults to remain safe and independent in their own homes and communities. You will be expected to fully support a number of high profile commissioning projects, which are to be delivered over the next 12 months. You must have strong organisational / project management skills, high attention to detail, good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to build and maintain stronger working relationships.
You will be expected to work from the Plough Lane office in Hereford at least one day a week (every Wednesday), although this could be more often, in order to meet commissioning activity requirements and deadlines.
We Offer
- Salary range of £38,363
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.
You will probably have heard a lot about how beautiful it is in terms of countryside and open spaces (and it is!) but there is so much more going on here, including world‑class cultural assets like the Mappa Mundi, vibrant theatres and a thriving food and drink sector. One of Herefordshire’s biggest assets is the strong and diverse communities. Our Talk Community approach brings that together supporting people to help themselves, encouraging them to help their communities and identifying how communities can help individuals. Our ambitious transformation programme aims to further build on this to offer an all‑age approach. We’re excited about the potential of what we can achieve for the benefit of all residents of Herefordshire, stronger together and building brighter futures.
Don’t meet all parts of the job description? Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Commissioning Officer in Hereford employer: Hoople Group
Hoople Group is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises compassion and high-quality care for both clients and staff. Located in the welcoming community of South Hereford, employees benefit from competitive salaries, a robust pension scheme, generous leave options, and continuous training opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth in a fulfilling environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Officer in Hereford
✨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 Officer in Hereford
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 Hoople Group
✨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 Hoople Group.
✨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 Hoople Group 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.
