HEAD OF PLANNING, REGIONAL PLANNING, WEST OF SCOTLAND

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOBIDENTIFICATION
Job Title:Senior Planning Manager - West of Scotland Region
Responsible to:Director of Regional Planning
JOB PURPOSE
Support the Director of Regional Planning in the implementation of the West of Scotland Health and Social Care Delivery Plan which includes the development and management of the process of Regional service planning for the five West of Scotland NHS territorial Boards together with the special Health Board of the Golden Jubilee National Hospital. This is a major strategic function for the Boards and a central component of NHS Scotland planning and Boards will be fully engaged in contributing to this agenda.
Support the work of the West of Scotland Health and Social Care Delivery Group in close collaboration with the Director of Regional Planning
Ensure clear work plans and performance management arrangements are in place.
You will develop structures and monitoring processes to ensure the project delivers in terms of meeting key objectives, relevant timeframes and budgets. The post holder will be expected to have high visibility among key stakeholders in carrying out this role.

ORGANISATION POSITION

SCOPEAND RANGE / DIMENSIONS
The Regional planning structure has been established to provide an overarching view of service planning and delivery issues facing the West of Scotland NHS boards and GJNH special board and implement the West of Scotland Health and Social Care Delivery Plan.
The work of the Regional Planning team will dovetail with the existing roles and responsibilities of the NHS Board level and national planning structures and will take into account the developing role of the Integrated Joint Boards (IJB’s) in the current NHS Scotland landscape.
Key high level objectives for the team are :
  • Developing plans for the funding and implementation of services across NHS Board boundaries, to support the implementation of the West of Scotland Health and Social Care Delivery Plan
  • Ensure role of IJB’s in commissioning and delivery of service is fully taken into account
  • Developing integrated workforce planning for cross-Board services
  • Regionally harmonising NHS Boards service plans
  • Harnessing the support and potential of Managed Clinical Networks
  • Managing the regional planning process within the agreed budget and delivery timescales

MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for a significant contribution to the development of the West of Scotland Health and Social Care Delivery Plan.
Advise the Director of Regional Planning on strategic developments including, agreed priorities, financial impact, risk management and processes to ensure effective implementation and representation.
Analysis of data and comparison of all west region boards’ data is a key element of this post and interpretation of the reasons for divergence will be required. In this respect, there may be differences in opinion among planning experts and comparison of a range of options when providing advice and recommendations.
To act as a source of information and advice to a wide range of West of Scotland Board Leads on the implications of policy and strategic priorities.
Responsible for delivery and production of detailed service analysis, which will include benchmarking, option appraisal, and financial analysis, to inform decision making processes within the region.
Advise, support and where appropriate, lead on service improvement/service redesign initiatives and programmes.
Formally respond to relevant policy documents on behalf of the Region to the Scottish Government and other external agencies as directed.
Responsible for the planning aspects of cost improvement programmes, saving initiatives and other activities related to the financial provision and spend of the regional planning team
Regularly undertakes audit activities, normally on a monthly basis, as part of the planning role when considering improvements to a particular service area or function.
Line Management support and development of the project managers and other junior members of the regional planning team.
Deputise for the Regional Planning Director a national and regional meetings, where appropriate.
SYSTEMSAND EQUIPMENT
The post holder should have an understanding of information systems in general, particularly the storage and retrieval of electronic reports and spreadsheets. They should be able to collate information and produce reports.
On a regular basis post holder is required to use general information technology systems/packages including Intranet and Internet, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Outlook (email system), Power Point and Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project.
Post holder is required to utilize paper files and simple filing systems (manual and computerised) for notes/reports.
Post holder responsible for professional obligations in terms of the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.
This post regularly utilises general equipment such as:
Telephone Photocopier Computer
Display Boards Fax Machine Keyboard
Overhead projectors Printer Laptop & projector
The post holder should have knowledge of research methodology and the various resources which are available to facilitate service review.
DECISIONSAND JUDGEMENTS
Advise the Director of Regional Planning on strategic developments including, agreed priorities, financial impact, risk management and processes to ensure effective implementation and representation within the region.
Analysis of activity and performance data and comparison of targets with actual performance is a key element of this post and interpretation of the reasons for divergence will be required. In this respect, there may be differences in opinion among planning experts and comparison of a range of options when providing advice and recommendations.
The post holder is expected to operate independently within defined financial and policy frameworks to deliver agreed high level strategic goals, with access to support and guidance from the Director of Regional Planning as required.
Unpredictable and ad hoc are a feature of this work requiring judgement on prioritisation and escalation.
Intelligent interpretation and analysis of often conflicting information from a variety of management, clinical and operational sources.
COMMUNICATIONSAND RELATIONSHIPS
The Post-holder will work closely with Chief Executives, planning, clinical, finance and HR staff in all the West of Scotland NHS Board areas. Close liaison will also be required with other Regional Planning colleagues and Scottish Government colleagues.
Co-ordinating and project managing the work of clinicians in relation to areas of planning and the development of specific working groups will require leadership and credibility, plus detailed knowledge gained from extensive experience.
The post-holder must be a self-starter, who is able to motivate both his/herself and others, to deliver the agenda in an environment of conflicting demands. Personal resilience and the ability to manage and deliver in a complex and often very diverse environment will be key to success.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical Effort –Utilising Advanced keyboard skills that are required to enable the post-holder to manipulate an array of data from a range of sources and format reports that are used to communicate information to a range of audiences.
The post-holder will be expected to travel to attend meetings across the Regional area and at national level. Some work out of formal office hours

Emotional Effort - A central part this post involves liaising with a wide variety of people - dealing with people with different agendas in politically charged situations can be very stressful. The post holder will be required to maintain a consistently professional approach when handling these emotive situations.

There are some elements of the job that are emotionally demanding. The job requires a high level of negotiation and influencing in order to drive forward on long term plans and policies.

Mental Effort - Frequent requirement for concentration, interpretation of policy and research papers reading/writing documents and reports. Preparing plans and performance reports. Working under pressure to meet deadlines. Interruptions will often require an immediate response.
Working with other partner organisations in a sensitive political climate and financial constraints. Retention and communication of specialist knowledge and information. Requires to develop effective communication to operate across a range of groups and individuals
Environment - the post-holder needs to work flexibly across a range of internal external environments. The post holder will have to deal with frequent interruptions that will require responding to requests for specific information and focusing on a different task or activity.
MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
Delivering agreement to change across a wide range of interests and positions with a variety of external organisations, user and carer groups and partners.
Ensuring approach to strategic planning is intelligent and allowing regional planning to make a significant contribution through influence and negotiation to achieve policy goals.
Developing and establishing effective and robust performance management and reporting processes that support organisational accountability and service improvement.
Establishing credibility and productive working relationships with a wide range of local players including senior clinicians and managers, independent sector providers and user and carer representatives
Managing conflicting demands that are often wide ranging and complex in nature.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
Educated to Masters degree level or equivalent.
At least 5 years experience of inter-agency working at a strategic level.
Service improvement, planning and project management experience.
Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy directives.
Ability to understand, communicate and influence policy initiatives and their implementation across a broad spectrum.
Ability to influence both individuals and teams to implement change to best effect both internally within the west region health boards and externally with other partners, using highly developed interpersonal skills.
Experience of managing conflicting interests.
Excellent communication and presentation skills both verbal and written.
IT literate.

1