Trainee Commissioning & Contracts Officer

Trainee Contracts and Commissioning Officer - Adult Social Care

Salary: Band:7-9, £33,119 - £44,252 p.a. (progression would be dependent on candidates experience and qualifications)

Your new role

This trainee role offers a structured opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and experience in commissioning, procurement support and contract management within Adult Social Care.

Within the role you will support the commissioning, procurement and contract management of Adult Social Care services. Working alongside experienced colleagues, the postholder will help monitor provider performance, quality, compliance and value for money across a range of care services, while supporting procurement activities, contract development and service improvement initiatives. The role involves building effective relationships with providers and stakeholders, contributing to quality assurance and market oversight, identifying and escalating risks where appropriate, and supporting organisational priorities, including Local Government Reorganisation.

Who is the person summary:

With an interest in developing a career in contract management, commissioning and procurement, you will be qualified or willing to undertake the relevant training where appropriate. You will have some experience, knowledge or understanding administrative, project , commissioning, contract monitoring or service improvement or be able to demonstrate transferable skills. You will have the ability to support stakeholder engagement and an understanding of the importance of collaborative working. You will be organised with the ability to prirotie3s work, meet deadlines and seek support where needed. With good verbal and written communication skills you will be confident using your own initiative and be confident in using IT systems.

For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

As part of Local Government Reorganisation, current plans will see Portsmouth City Council combine with the district and borough councils of Fareham, Gosport and Havant and parts of East Hampshire and Winchester district councils to form a new, larger unitary authority for south east Hampshire.

We are working towards an implementation date of 1st April 2028, known as vesting day, subject to Parliamentary approval. Until then, we remain focused on maintaining continuity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to deliver excellent services to our residents throughout the transition to the new unitary authority.

This is an exciting time to join us, offering the opportunity to contribute to organisational transformation, develop your career, and help shape future services for our communities.

More information about Local Government Reorganisation can be found on our website: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/your-council/devolution-and-lgr/

Additional Information

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Interview process will take place on the 29/30 September 2026.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person'points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found atEquality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage:Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contactrecruit@portsmouthcc.gov.ukor call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.