Commissioning Officer - Substance Misuse

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Manager to join the Adult Social Care and Public Health Commissioning team. We are recruiting a Commissioning Officer for Substance Misuse to support the implementation and local delivery of the Substance Misuse Strategy and underpinning commissioning activity across Richmond and Wandsworth by promoting prevention and early intervention, improving access to services, and ensuring service providers deliver evidenced-based support that promotes recovery.

This position is well suited to someone who is innovative, motivated, and passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of local residents who misuse substances.

About the Role

You will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of new service models and shaping the local provider market in a way that promotes the aspirations and ambitions of the people we support. You will have some experience and knowledge of commissioning services in conjunction with key stakeholders that promote prevention and early intervention, improve access to services, and deliver effective evidenced-based support that promotes recovery.

You will be highly motivated, creative, and persistent in seeking solutions and be open to learning from and with others and working with people to effect positive change. The post holder will need to be confident in working with a range of internal and external partners to shape and deliver the local priorities including social landlords, care and support providers, and local communities. You will be able to negotiate and resolve complex problems, and the ability to manage change well is a necessity. You will be highly organised, able to manage multiple strands of work within deadlines, and enjoy being involved in a variety of activities and projects. You will have good communication and presentation skills and enjoy working with people.

In return, you will be part of a wider division with extremely supportive, collaborative, and committed team members working together to improve the lives of local residents through innovation, learning together, and new ideas.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• You will be requested to provide a work history and supporting statement.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Proven experience of commissioning major contracts and making changes to service provision to improve quality and standards.
• Excellent literacy and the ability to prepare clear, concise written reports (e.g. strategies, business cases, service reviews, specifications, bids).
• Well-developed analytical, data analysis, problem-solving skills.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: Monday 14th April 2025
• Shortlisting Date: w/c 22nd April 2025
• Interview Date: w/c 28th April 2025

For a discussion, please contact Elizabeth Pepper, Assistant Director of Specialist Commissioning Learning Disabilities, Mental Health and Substance Misuse.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

This campaign is anonymised. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such, appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working, and a generous pension plan.