hNHS England and NHS Improvement

NHS Improvement

Job description and person specification

Position

Job title

DCO Team Head of Digital Technology (North) Directorate/ Region

Medical Directorate, North West Region

Pay band

AFC Band 8c Responsible to

Chief of Digital Operations / Portfolio Director

Salary

£61,777 to £72,597 Accountable to

Regional Director of Digital Transformation, North West Region

Tenure

Substantive Position Responsible for

Providing leadership, advice and support within the North West region covering all aspects of digital technology and ensuring that all digital technology programmes, projects and services are delivered across the area in line with national, regional and local commitments.

Funding Arrangements

Admin Funded Base North West region All post holders will be expected to be in regional offices on a regular basis for key meetings. All post holders will also be required to travel regularly to London, Leeds and other locations as required.

Our Organisation

NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Improvement Values and

Behaviours

Having listened to our staff over the last year, we aim to create a healthy and

NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Improvement came together on 1 April 2019 as a new single organisation. The NHS Long Term Plan focuses on delivering integrated care to patients at the local level and we can best support the NHS to deliver this as a single integrated organisation. Our new operating model represents a strong shift to regional delivery supported by expert corporate teams. Local health systems are supported by our integrated regional teams who play a major leadership role in the geographies they manage. We are jointly committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients. The seven integrated regions of our joint enterprise will work with local systems to support and improve how care is provided to patients and communities. These regions will be supported by the corporate centre providing expertise and developing policy. The focus will be on guiding and managing the delivery of services through local integrated health systems, sustainability and transformation partnerships, and devolution areas.

high performing organisation, underpinned by the NHS Constitution values: Respect and dignity. Commitment to the quality of care. Compassion. Improving lives. Working together for patients. Everyone counts.

Our people all have a part to play in helping to shape and develop our culture and in embedding and living these values. Our behaviors: leading by example:

We prioritise patients in every decision we take. We listen and learn. We are evidence-based. We are open and transparent. We are inclusive. We strive for improvement.

Service and team

About the role

NHS England and NHS Improvement has a range of major digital technology initiatives to deliver over the next 5 years and beyond as signalled in the Five Year Forward View, Personalised Health and Care 2020 and the emerging National Information Board strategic frameworks. In addition to the delivery of strategic digital technology programmes, NHS

As a DCO Team Head of Digital Technology for the North West region, the post holder will work as part of a dynamic regional team in delivering an effective service supporting managers and staff across the North West area to provide digital technology strategic leadership and vision to support local transformation programmes, particularly in Primary Care.

England and NHS Improvement has specific direct responsibilities for digital technology operational services supporting its Primary Care Commissioning function. These include Registration Authority services, NHS Mail support, Clinical System Assurance and Information Governance.

As the commissioning responsibility for Primary Care increasingly moves to Clinical Commissioning Groups under delegated commissioning arrangements, regional teams will need the expertise to assure CCG digital technology plans and delivery performance.

As part of the stimulus to deliver on the Five Year Forward View, a range of nationally sponsored but locally implemented programmes are underway including Integration Pioneers, Better Care Fund pilots, Prime Ministers Challenge Fund wave one and wave 2 pilots, Vanguards, Primary Care Infrastructure Fund and others. All of these initiatives have dependencies on the effective and rapid deployment of systems, technology and information sharing solutions which require strong local collaboration and co-ordination with national strategies and plans.

The post holder will lead the provision of an efficient, effective and high quality professional and well-co-ordinated Digital Technology service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation.

Key Job specifics and responsibilities

Key accountabilities

Improving quality and outcomes

Deliver the regional team direct responsibilities for Primary Care

digital technology services, including Registration Authority,

Information Governance, NHS Mail administration and Clinical

System Assurance.

Support the delivery of NHS England and NHS Improvement and

NHS Improvement commitments and assuring the delivery of CCG

commitments as set out in the NHS England and NHS

Improvement GPIT Operating Model, including securing revenue

and capital budgets for GPIT.

Key Functional Responsibilities

Ensure GPIT responsibilities are delivered locally. This means

ensuring that contracts are in place with CSUs / other providers for

services that are the responsibility of the regional team.

Provide oversight of programme budgets.

Co-ordinate capital budgets for Primary Care IT and provide assurance

for capital bids through various programmes and ultimate delivery or

programme objectives where funded through NHS England and NHS

Improvement and NHS Improvement capital.

Join, contribute to and represent NHS England and NHS Improvement at local digital technology governance organisations across the

Enabling clinical leadership

To ensure that clinical leadership is central to the delivery of all NHS England and NHS Improvement activities.

To work collaboratively across the NHS England and NHS Improvement matrix.

Enabling patient and public involvement

To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making of NHS England and NHS Improvement.

To ensure all public and patient contact with the office is of the highest professional standard.

To embed patient and public involvement within NHS England and NHS Improvement at all levels of decision making.

Promoting equality and reducing inequalities

To uphold organisational policies and principles on the promotion

of equality.

To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is

valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday action ensure we

meet our duty to uphold and promote equality.

Partnership and cross boundary working

Co-ordinating the delivery of national Digital Technology

programmes across the region, for example Patient Online,

Electronic Prescription Service, Summary Care Record, eReferrals,

GP2GP.

Supporting the local Commissioning Operations teams in

developing and assuring CCG and Primary Care plans for digital

technology and providing support for any investigations or

interventions that require digital technology expertise.

regional team

Coordinate delivery of national digital technology and information programmes across the regional team working closely with partners in HSCIC, CSUs and NHS England and NHS Improvement at local, regional and national levels.

Support the local system to develop, implement and assure delivery of local digital roadmaps

Work with local IG leads to ensure that services are in place to support GP Practices as per IG service specification

Operational requirements

Working within the overall strategic objectives, devise, implement and

monitor the strategy. Evaluate, interpret and locally implement best

practice.

Provide overall management to the function.

Develop and implement qualitative and quantitative measures to

determine performance against the organisational strategy. Report

progress against the strategy through personal representation at senior

management forums and by written reports. Tailoring delivery to meet

the needs of the audience.

Ensure that best practice is developed and delivered at organisational

and departmental levels. Challenge ways of working and persuade,

motivate and influence other senior managers to realign their practice

where necessary.

Ensure that appropriate strategies are employed in line with business

objectives and that these are fully cascaded.

Personally lead, support and contribute to formal negotiations with

senior level internal and external stakeholders, providing a high level of

negotiating expertise to secure the most advantageous arrangements.

Advise on innovative opportunities and support all departments in their

strategies and programmes to maximise service benefits.

Oversee the tracking of progress against plans and transition

milestones, ensuring appropriate processes are in place to flag issues,

risks and concerns with the relevant stakeholders.

Leadership for transformational change

To model a collaborative and influencing style of working,

negotiating with others to achieve the best outcomes. Embedding

this approach across the Directorate.

Using insight and evidence for improvement

Co-ordinate local input to and support for New Models of Care

initiatives as well as support for PMCF and Infrastructure bids.

Working with others

To work with the wider team to define and deliver the governance,

assurance and benefits realisation programme underpinning Digital

Technology Programmes to ensure appropriate accountability for

use of public money and achievement of targets.

To work in partnership with others and as part of cross directorate

teams to deliver successful outcomes.

Developing an excellent organisation

To support the organisation’s ways of working, model its values

and champion the NHS Constitution.

To monitor, interpret and quality assure progress against

deliverables. Quality assurance and progress of deliverables to

NHS England and NHS Improvement that often require

adjustments specifically in relation to the complex corporate

business agenda, strategic objectives and the business planning

process

To develop business plans and provide expert strategic and policy

advice and guidance on all areas of the National Director’s portfolio

To actively manage and support the development of individuals

and the team through appraisal, personal development planning,

Ensure the securing of value for money, assuring relevant factors such

as quality and governance.

To monitor, interpret and quality assure progress against deliverables.

Quality assurance and progress of deliverables to the organisation that

often require adjustments specifically in relation to the complex

corporate business agenda, strategic objectives and the business

planning process

To develop business plans and provide expert strategic and policy

advice and guidance on all areas of the National Director’s portfolio.

Devise, manage and update policies and procedures, ensuring the

adoption of best practice methodology, rules, standards and

thresholds.

Supports the creation and locally implements the operational strategy

and business plan, clearly identifying links to national, regional and

local priorities and policy objectives.

Contributes to the development and implementation of general policy

and service development.

Develops and implements strategies for improving performance and

processes, ensuring stakeholders representation.

Drives and leads development and improvement of processes.

Drives process efficiency in the continuous development of the end-to-

end cycle and its associated performance metrics.

Accountable for short, medium and long term business plans,

achieving quality outcomes.

Responsible for linking people, resource and strategy to organisational

strategy.

Financial and Physical Resources

Budgetary responsibility for a function and the services provided within

that function. Evaluating value for money of new contracts, monitoring

the performance of existing providers and ensuring that provider

performance aligns, and comply, with contractual terms and condition.

Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency in the use

coaching and mentoring

To work in partnership with others and as part of cross directorate

teams to deliver successful outcomes

To support the organisation’s ways of working, model it’s values

and champion the NHS Constitution

To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff within the

department

To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance

requirements within the department

To adhere to the NHS Managers Code of Conduct and any other

relevant professional codes of conduct at all times

To ensure regular, productive and open communication with staff

who they lead (e.g. Directorate and matrix teams)

of these budgets and to ensure that they operate in recurrent financial

balance year on year, in a way that is compliant with Standing Orders

and standing Financial Instruction.

Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and

working knowledge of financial processes

People Management

Support and line manage the Department or Function, building a

collaborative working environment and an innovative culture.

Support an effective matrix approach to achieve NHS objectives,

where appropriate across the NHS England and NHS Improvement.

To manage, motivate, inspire and develop staff within the team to

ensure that they are able to deliver the employee relations cases

responsibilities of NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Information Management

Responsible for devising, developing and implementing appropriate

information sharing systems to:

o facilitate effective working practices for the end to end

processes

o ensure accurate analysis of management information.

Lead the creation and implementation of information systems for

collecting, evaluating and interpreting large volumes of intricate data on

expenditure to inform the short, medium and long term strategies.

Responsible for the operation and maintenance of information

systems, adapting systems where necessary to suit changing

information needs.

Responsible for the collection and reporting on information of

expenditure both within and outside the organisation, including

compliance reporting.

Ensure processes and staff behaviours are in place for appropriate

information sharing.

Research and Development

Ensures that relevant groups are able to access best practice and

current information from supply markets

Commissions Research and Development initiatives to secure cost and

service improvements from alternative methods of operation, through

new goods and services or re-engineering existing processes

Ensures that benefits from research and development and from

innovation are realised by stakeholder organisations

Policy and Service Development

To identify and assess opportunities for new services and threats to

existing services and market developments.

Develop plans and seize opportunities, mitigate threats and deliver

strategic objectives. Within own function making recommendations for

service delivery.

Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and

interpretation to policies, guidelines and service level agreements

(SLA’s) which may impact service delivery and Sector.

Maintain a good knowledge of emerging policies from government

departments, to assist in the thinking and definition of strategy

discussions.

Key Working Relationships

The post holder will be required to have regular contact internal and

external stakeholders and will often need to engage with them over

sensitive, complex, contentious and confidential issues.

Participate in relevant internal and external working groups/projects,

services and initiatives to provide project, information and analytical

advice and expertise.

Overseeing the team to develop and implement project data collection

systems that will provide accurate and timely data.

Present project information and issues, explaining complexities, to a

wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

To liaise with other Managers to share best practice. Planning and Organisation

Creates and implements business plan commitments, clearly identifying links to national, regional and local priorities and policy objectives.

Contributes to the development and implementation of general policy and service development.

Develops and implements strategies for improving performance

Drives and leads development and improvement of processes.

Ensures stakeholder representation is engaged throughout the cycle

Drives process efficiency in the continuous development of the end-to-end cycle and its associated performance metrics.

o Accountable for short, medium and long term business plans, achieving quality outcomes.

Responsible for linking people, resource and strategy to organisational strategy.

Organisational structure

Person specification

Criteria

Essential Desirable Evidence*

Qualifications

Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.

√ A/I

Knowledge and Experience

Extensive experience of the application of information and technology strategies, plans and solutions to improve business performance preferably in a health environment

√ A/I

Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master’s level equivalent

√ A/I

Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development √ A/I

Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement

√ A/I

Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, NHS England and NHS Improvement and individual provider and commissioning organisations

√ A/I

Member of relevant professional body √ A/I

Experience of successfully operating in and delivering priorities in a partnership environment

√ A/I

Skills Capabilities and Attributes

Ability to build effective partnerships, common purpose and shared understanding across a range of diverse and competing views, build networks, manage conflict, provide feedback and coach others

√ A/I

Ability to build and motivate high performing technical teams, mobilising individuals and teams around shared goals

√ A/I

High level of strategic and systemic thinking skills, able to synthesise and align multiple requirements

√ A/I

Communication skills

Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.

√ A/I

Persuade board and senior managers of the respective merits of different √ A/I

options, innovation and new market opportunities.

Negotiate on difficult and very complex and detailed issues. √

A/I

Analytical skills Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. √

A/I

Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. √

A/I

Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action.

√

A/I

Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise. √

A/I

Ability to carry out procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment.

√

A/I

Planning skills Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.

√ A/I

Inputs to strategic plans across NHS and within the specific teams. √ A/I

Works with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market.

√ A/I

Good use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning

√ A/I

Ability to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines √

Management Skills

Skills for direct line management and job management. √ A/I

Skills for delivering results through managing through others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility.

√ A/I

Skills for managing relationships with a range of different stakeholders. √ A/I

Autonomy /Freedom to Act

Manages team within the constraints of NHS strategic plan. √

A/I

Ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary.

√

A/I

Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues. √

A/I

Physical skills Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills. √

A/I

Values and Behaviours

Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do. √

A/I

Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public.

√

A/I

Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients.

√

A/I

Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others

√ A/I

Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation

√ A/I

Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same

√ A/I

Demonstrable commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations.

√ A/I

Values diversity and difference operates with integrity and openness

√ A/I

Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

√ A/I

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity taking into account and being aware of how individual actions contribute to and make a difference to the equality agenda.

√

A/I

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity.

√

A/I

Other An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust

√

A/I

Used to working in a busy environment

√

A/I

Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change

√

A/I

Commitment to continuing professional development. √

A/I

* Evidence will take place with reference to the following information:

A Application form

I Interview

T Test or Assessment

C Certificate