Commissioning and Contracts Officer

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract Type: Full time / Temporary (24 Months)

Working Style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).

Closing Date: 06 July 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This role is subject to:

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders, and it is available upon request.

Manchester is a bold, ambitious and forward‑thinking city, with a well‑earned reputation for getting things done. As a council, we are passionate about making a difference and are driven by a clear vision: to build a safe, happy, healthy and successful future for every child and young person in our city.

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a G7 Contracts and Commissioning Officer to join our Contracts and Commissioning Team, working within the Post 16 Hub.

• This role sits within a high‑performing, motivated and supportive team that plays a vital role in securing safe and appropriate care for Manchester’s children.
• The Post 16 Hub is central to ensuring that children and young people who cannot live at home are supported to live in safe, nurturing environments. Working city‑wide, the service collaborates closely with social care teams, the fostering service and external providers to secure the best possible care arrangements.
• This is a fast‑paced, five‑day‑a‑week service that values creativity, flexibility and solution‑focused practice. As a Contracts and Commissioning Officer, you will work alongside colleagues to support care planning, promote children and young people’s voices, and contribute to improved outcomes. You will also play a key role in ensuring providers deliver high‑quality care that represents value for money and meets children’s individual needs.

If you are passionate about making a difference for children and young people, we would welcome your application.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Janell Wilken on 07966282182 or [email protected] to arrange a convenient time.

Summary of the Post 16 Hub Worker Role

The Post 16 Hub Worker plays a key role in supporting young people as they move towards adulthood, helping to secure the right accommodation, support, and services at the right time. The role works across children’s services, adult social care, commissioning, providers, and transition teams to coordinate plans for young people with a range of needs, including those with complex or high-risk circumstances. The post is important in preventing crisis situations, reducing delays in transition planning, and making sure young people have stable and suitable support arrangements. As part of a small team, the worker contributes to both day-to-day operational activity and wider partnership working to improve outcomes for post-16 young people.

Key Tasks of a Post 16 Hub Worker

• Support transition planning for young people moving into post-16 services
• Work closely with social workers, transition teams, adult social care, and commissioning colleagues
• Liaise with providers to identify suitable accommodation and support options
• Help coordinate packages of care and support for young people with complex needs
• Monitor placement availability, risks, and emerging pressures within the post-16 market
• Attend multi-agency meetings to support planning and decision-making
• Escalate urgent cases where accommodation or support is at risk of breaking down
• Maintain oversight of young people awaiting suitable post-16 provision
• Contribute to reducing emergency placements and unplanned moves
• Support strong partnership working between internal teams and external providers
• Keep accurate records and provide updates on key cases and service pressures
• Contribute to service development and improving post-16 sufficiency planning

We are seeking a motivated, resilient and child‑focused professional who:

• Promotes innovation, creativity and continuous improvement within placement and commissioning activity.
• Is kind, reliable and approachable, with a good sense of humour and a strong commitment to going the extra mile for children.
• Understands the critical importance of effective placement‑finding and the impact this can have on children’s lives, both immediately and long‑term.
• Can manage pressure and complexity calmly, making balanced and well‑reasoned decisions, and working collaboratively to solve problems.
• Has experience of organisational processes, managing change and handling complex or sensitive issues.
• Is able to support the effective and efficient delivery of brokerage and commissioning activity, working closely with operational services, providers and partner agencies, including health colleagues.
• Children Services Knowledge and experience. 
• An understanding of young people transitioning to adult social care and the challenges they face.
• Understanding of housing legislation and the challenges face by young people to find accommodations. 
• Ability to manage contracts and to create contracts.
• Experience of using a provider portal would be desirable.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. 

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. 

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer 

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. 
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. 
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. 
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. 
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. 
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. 

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. 

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

 When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected]. 

What we will need from you if you’re successful 

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.  

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

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