Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen NHS Somerset IntegratedCare Board (ICB) is looking for candidates who are passionate about strategyand transforming healthcare and can support the ICB on a fixed term basis untilMarch 2026. The postholder will be joining a small, enthusiastic TransformationManagement Office working at the heart of the ICS to transform the healthcareof Somerset residents.
NHS Somerset ICB is responsible for commissioning health andcare services for our 600,000 residents. We play a pivotal role in bringingorganisations together to work as one integrated care system (ICS), forSomerset. An ICS is a partnership between the NHS, local council, voluntaryservices and other organisations working together to plan and deliver joined upservices to improve the lives of people in our area.
This post is designed to develop and implement a strategydelivery framework for NHS Somerset ICB on behalf of the ICS. The purpose of the framework is to enable thetranslation of the Integrated Care Strategy and Joint Forward Plan into asystem-wide transformation programme that dovetails with (and distinguishesfrom) the annual operational plan. The focus of the role is to regularlysupport Programme Managers with day-to-day oversight of the ICS priority programmes,creating a collaborative and encouraging environment.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received prior to the advertised closing date.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work directly with the Head ofTransformation Management Office to support with the priority programmes frameworkand joint forward plan delivery.
The key duties and responsibilities of the role are:
To support the design and implementation of prioritytransformation programme plans across the Somerset health and care system,including milestones, gateways, metrics, risks and benefits.
In line with the Joint Forward Plan, work with workstreamsSROs to identify service transformation opportunities which encompass new waysof working, pathway redesign and innovation across areas of service delivery.
Prepare, plan and lead workshop events and proactivelyfollow up agreed actions in relation to programme manager and / or serviceimprovement.
Make informed judgements as to the most effectiveimprovement tools and techniques to apply in order to deliver the desiredoutcomes and apply these as appropriate.
Proactively challenge in a constructive and supportiveway, current working practices, offering expert advice and guidance asnecessary to promote a culture of continuous improvement
Ensure internal and external key stakeholders, includingpatients and the public, have effective opportunities to engage in servicetransformation programmes/projects/lean events, enabling them to contribute,influence and progress the implementation of improvements to facilitatecollaborative working and mutually beneficial outcomes.
About us
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), known as NHS Somerset is the statutory NHS organisation responsible for implementing a health and care strategy developed by the Integrated Care Partnership.
NHS Somerset consists of approx. 350 staff, across 8 directorates, with multiple teams within each directorate.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. When recruiting, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve.
We offer flexible working from your first day of employment and we also have an agile approach to home / office-based working. Please note however, that you will be required to work from our HQ, Wynford House in Yeovil for 2/3 days per week and that elements of the role may require you to travel to other locations across Somerset, to attend in-person meetings and meet the needs of the service. Please consider this before applying.
Note for existing NHS Employees applying for Fixed Term vacancies at NHS Somerset
If you are an existing NHS Employee and are applying for a Fixed Term role with NHS Somerset, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only.
You should gain agreement from your current employer before applying to allow you to be released on secondment.
Please ensure the reference section confirms your current HR Department details.
Thank you for your interest.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
The Transformation Management Office is responsible fordriving complex initiatives acrossSomerset to execute the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Somersetsystems strategic goals and vision of strategic transformation. It fosters continuous improvement and acomprehensive approach that integrates digital, health and care changeprogrammes.
This post is designed to develop and implement a strategydelivery framework for the ICB on behalf of the Integrated Care System (ICS). The purpose of the framework is to enable thetranslation of the Integrated Care Strategy and Joint Forward Plan into asystem-wide transformation programme that dovetails (and distinguishes from)the annual operational plan. The focusof the role is to regularly support Programme Managers with day-to-dayoversight of Priority Programmes creating a collaborative and encouragingenvironment.
The role will require technical skills of programmemanagement (including good governance, baseline measures, ongoing evaluation, riskmanagement, interdependencies and benefit identification), as well as softerskills of stakeholder management in liaising with, and supporting, identifiedleads within the Somerset system.
A key aspect of the role will be integrating the ICBsstrategy delivery framework with the system approach to improvement andstrategy delivery within the ICS.
KEY RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE ROLE:
Theduties and responsibilities of the role are:
Tosupport the design and implementation of priority transformation programme plansacross the Somerset health and care system, including milestones, gateways, metrics,risks and benefits.
Inline with the Joint Forward Plan, work with workstreams SROs to identifyservice transformation opportunities which encompass new ways of working,pathway redesign and innovation across areas of service delivery.
Prepare,plan and lead workshop events and proactively follow up agreed actions inrelation to programme manager and / or service improvement.
Toassure and prepare overarching reports on the behalf of the SROs for upwardreporting into Boards, committees and Collaboration Forum.
Leadand manage the TMO Project Officer and TMO Project Assistant Officer, carryingout informal progress meetings, 1:1s, 6 monthly and annual appraisal reviews,as well as approval of leave requests and supporting development and trainingopportunities.
Workclosely with colleagues, clinicians and partners to assess redesignopportunities and support the process to enact any changes needed to improvethese services and enhance patient care across our ICS footprint.
Makeinformed judgements as to the most effective improvement tools and techniquesto apply in order to deliver the desired outcomes and apply these asappropriate.
Proactivelychallenge in a constructive and supportive way, current working practices,offering expert advice and guidance as necessary to promote a culture ofcontinuous improvement.
Ensureinternal and external key stakeholders, including patients and the public, haveeffective opportunities to engage in service transformationprogrammes/projects/lean events, enabling them to contribute, influence andprogress the implementation of improvements to facilitate collaborative workingand mutually beneficial outcomes.
Beresponsible for ensuring appropriate baseline and ongoing evaluation metricsand monitoring systems are in place for priority programmes/individual projectsin order to produce a clear evidence base when measuring impacts on patientexperience, productivity and efficiency improvement. Ensure these are agreedand owned by process owners.
Inconjunction with priority programme, project and clinical teams and externalpartners, facilitate and implement service changes across complexorganisational boundaries.
Undertakerisk analysis of allocated programmes/work streams in the context of risk tothe systems clinical and business objectives.
Maintainand apply up to date knowledge of programme management and service improvementincluding change, government initiatives, national policies, philosophies,tools, and processes.
Prepareregular updates and complex written reports on the progress of programmes / projectsagainst key objectives and quantifiable impacts on patient experience,workforce, performance and finance.
Generalrequirements:
Leadand manage the implementation of priority programmes / projects to oftenchallenging timescales, against agreed project plans using project managementbest practice methodologies.
Supportcolleagues within the Strategy, Digital and Integration Directorate throughmanaging the dependencies and interfaces between programmes / projects toensure their successful delivery in line with strategic objectives.
Supportclinical/non-clinical teams to identify the scope, objectives, and outputs ofthe project.
SupportPriority Programme Managers to complete, maintain and update all formal projectdocumentation including benefits realisation, risk analysis and managementplans. Ensure these documents are available within the TransformationManagement Office priority programme library.
Develop,facilitate, and monitor the delivery of the programme/ project plans within theagreed scope to deliver objectives within agreed timescales.
Planand organise a range of complex activities and programmes of work which willsupport the delivery of programme objectives, including benefits andsustainability planning.
Ensureappropriate evaluation metrics and processes are agreed and owned for each priorityprogramme in order to produce a clear evidence base when measuring impacts onproductivity and efficiency improvement.
Manage,identify, and assess the main priorities and risks associated with the priorityprogrammes / projects including the development of contingency plans andmanaging conflicting priorities between stakeholders with differentexpectations.
Inconjunction with frontline and priority programme teams assess the potentialwider impacts of programme work and outcomes on other specialties, pathwaysetc. and where appropriate propose changes to these to further improveproductivity, quality, and efficiency.
Assessand analyse potential risks to the realisation of programme / projecttimescales, milestones outcomes and initiate prompt remedial action asnecessary.
Provideregular updates and complex written reports for programme / project progress inline with agreed governance arrangements.
TransformationProgramme
Todevelop and monitor the system wide programme plan, liaising with leads toobtain information that allows objective reporting against it includingpriority action tracking.
Toreview and provide assurance for monthly highlight and ad hoc reports for therelevant committees and groups utilising the management office dashboard andnarrative from Priority Programme Managers.
Toprovide advice and guidance on risk management, including mitigation and issueresolution where possible and escalating where necessary.
Supporta culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement across theorganisation and the system.
Todeputise for the Head of Transformation Office when required.
Developthe Gateway Review Process at Critical Stages for Transformation Programmes
Todesign and manage the gateway control processes at crucial stages of changeprogrammes start-up planning, implementation and transition.
Createtemplates for priority change documents or reporting as required.
Provideassurance for activity across transformation programmes, includingindependencies where functions need to come together to ensure successfuldelivery within a matrix environment (project managers, clinical staff, financespecialists, informatics specialists).
Toprovide programme/project expertise and support when required to PriorityProgramme Managers within the transformation programme.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. Experience of working at a senior level preferably in the public sector (health care / county council) with transferrable skills and knowledge
2. Project Management expertise in a healthcare environment
3. Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes / practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve service change
4. Proven experience of capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
5. Proven ability to produce well-balanced, succinct reports and Business Cases
6. Able to identify Benefits, Opportunities, Risks and Issues
Desirable
7. Experience in major change initiatives in a challenging organisational environment
8. Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at senior management level
9. Experience of working across organisational and professional boundaries in complex organisations.
10. Experience of working with senior level staff
11. Experience of working in a politically sensitive environment
Personal Statement / Motivation for Applying
Essential
12. Please use this section to explain how you meet the additional criteria in the Personal Specification including your reasons and motivation for applying.
Qualifications
Essential
13. Educated to masters degree level or significant equivalent previous proven experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area
14. Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development
15. Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, techniques and tools acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience
16. Prince 2 (or similar) Project Management (foundation / advanced Level) and relevant experience in the last three years
Desirable
17. Relevant management or leadership qualification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
18. Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to masters level equivalent
19. An understanding of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, the national commissioning board and provider and commissioning organisations.
20. Comprehensive experience of project principles technique and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful projects
21. Experience and / or understanding of the local health economy with good knowledge of primary care and a sound general knowledge of secondary care, community, social and mental health care services and how these services are commissioned
22. Ability to problem solve and respond to sudden unexpected demands
23. Excellent working knowledge of all Microsoft Office packages and other Digital Tools (Skype, Online Services)
24. Appreciation of the relationship between NHS England, ICBs and individual organisations both nationally and locally
Desirable
25. Extensive understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on commissioning services
26. Knowledge and / or experience of contracts and contracting styles
27. Proven ability to prepare procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment