Environment Sustainability & Highways

Job Title:

ICT Contract Manager

Job Grade: Band 5

Directorate: Environment Sustainability & Highways

Job Reference Number: P01265 The Role

The ideal candidate for this role would be a perceptive, technically competent and experienced ICT contract management professional with demonstrable experience of managing complex ICT provision contracts in the education/PFI sector. The role will require strong managerial, analytical and communication skills and the ability to manage complex and multi-dimensional relationships within structured contractual processes.

Job Purpose

Delivering identified benefits through professional contract and stakeholder management for the £6m BSF ICT contract.

Key Accountabilities

 Day-to-day liaison with the Local Education Partnership and ICT contractor to ensure effective management of the contract on behalf of Essex County Council through the development of a full understanding of the operation and conditions of the ICT contract.

 Ensuring financial, administrative, contractual key performance indicators and other operational commitments are met and audited with planned and random spot checks to satisfy ECC that performance is being measured and reported reliably, accurately and comprehensively.

 Preparation, maintenance and monitoring of budgets for the facilities being managed, in order to pro-actively control expenditure.

 Ensuring that all Unitary Charge and other invoices submitted by the ICT contractor are correct.

 Ensuring that user change requests, variations and complaints are logged,

evaluated, and prioritised, in accordance with agreed processes issuing Authority instructions for change.

 Preparing reports and attending meetings as required to report on the status of the ICT contract

 Support the negotiation and agreement of ICT Contracts for new projects and Additional Services within the New Project Approval Process

 Commissioning and delivering the provision of technical, financial and legal advice on contractual matters.

 To fully engage with the BSF Senior Project Managers and others to ensure the ongoing ICT FM contract management of new waves of delivery is seamlessly transitioned into the contract management function.

 To monitor and ensure the continuous improvement obligations under the contract are being met and apply mechanisms in the contract to rectify and

under-performance, including dispute resolution procedures  Ensuring compliance with ECC policies and procedures.

 Agreeing benchmarking or market testing arrangements and outputs, provided for in the contract, with the contractor.

 To ensure that ICT contract management documentation is maintained to appropriate standards,

 To ensure information is organised in a systematic fashion to enable

auditors/inspectors to perform an audit trail through the operation of the contract.  To carry out specific requirements identified in operational Major Programmes &

Infrastructure department Business Plan and ‘my performance’ objectives to ensure delivery of clearly defined outcomes within agreed resources.

 Critically appraise the quality of own/others practice and challenge this within identified forums.

 To maintain a sound understanding and awareness of relevant new and emerging technologies

 To ensure that project governance and management processes reflect best industry practice.

 To represent the Major Programmes & Infrastructure Group and specialist professional interests where appropriate on regional, county-wide and local strategic planning partnerships as well as internal networks, including political members.

 To demonstrate effective communication and engagement with all service users and customers (internal & external) as well as other key stakeholders and senior managers on daily business issues as well as future service solutions

 Ensuring that all aspects of the Essex County Council Equal Access to Opportunity Policy and other staff care policies, commitment to consumer involvement and partnership are considered within working practices and during the development and reporting of any new initiatives.

 To be aware of any project related risks retained by the Authority and be responsible for monitoring and managing these risks where appropriate.

 To manage other ICT contracts associated with the provision of services to schools or ECC as directed.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

 Significant experience in managing ICT contracts particularly within the education sector

 Complete understanding of the operation of payment and performance mechanisms.

 Knowledge of the PPP / PFI service delivery regimes ideally in the education sector.

 Strong motivational and communication skills  Negotiating skills

 A working knowledge of project management techniques and methodologies  The ability to influence individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.  Adept in financial management and service auditing to ensure compliance with our

service agreements.

 Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint knowledge and experience of using at an intermediate level. An understanding of other software applications in order to identify their potential in supporting and developing this function.

 Good understanding of Change Management theories and experience of the practical application.

Values and Behaviours

Working together we proactively engage with our customers and listen to their needs in order to continuously improve our service

 Develops and delivers effective systems that enable the delivery of a quality customer service

 Uses customer insight to create an environment where customer service is valued, recognised and seen as a priority

 Proactively engage with our customers to deliver innovative and exceptional service.

 Make decisions that are mutually beneficial to the customer and the authority  Use customer feedback to understand “what good looks like” to improve service

delivery & measure performance

Enabling & Empowering

Working together, we provide confidence and trust to support the delivery of the right services for our customers.

 Creates an environment that promotes self-development, openness and innovation  Delegate effectively in order to achieve greater empowerment and accountability

within set clear parameters

 Create a culture through personal behaviours that promotes inclusion

 Demonstrates an understanding of the political environment and makes decisions / takes action appropriately

 Communicates openly with others to improve levels of understanding and engagement

Effective & Efficient

Working together we will achieve our objectives in the best possible way, so that we deliver the results that make the biggest difference to the people we serve.

 Continually seeks new ways to introduce best practice in order to reduce duplication, bureaucracy and waste

 Develop and implement new ways of working to stretch performance, improve efficiency and deliver value for money

 Empowers others to innovate and challenge current practices

 Takes ownership for the implementation of corporate initiatives to help deliver change and continuous improvement

 .

Safeguarding

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Pre-Employment Checks appropriate to this Job Profile

Essex County Council (ECC) is committed to ensuring all recruitment is undertaken fairly, effectively, safely and in accordance with legislation.

The information below provides pre-employment screening guidance for candidates applying to this job at Essex County Council.

Role Requirement:

Not working with children or vulnerable adults and with no access to sensitive information relating to children or vulnerable adults

Pre-Employment Check

Definition Self Declaration

(Unspent convictions only)

A declaration of unspent convictions must be completed by all employees who do not work directly with vulnerable adults or children

References A minimum of two employer references will be required -one of

which must be the last employer.

Any gaps of 4 weeks or more will be explored by the manager at interview stage. Where appropriate additional character references will be taken up

Medical All new recruits and employees whose role changes

significantly are required to complete a medical health questionnaire

Eligibility /

Right to work in the UK

Proof is required and original documentation will be sought i.e. passport or full birth certificate

Regulatory

qualifications and professional registration (subject to role)

Original qualification certificates and proof of registration with a professional body is required (if applicable)