The role of a commercial officer in Head Office Commercial is to deliver contracts and commercial solutions to the Head Office customer base which includes amongst others (Defence Business Services, Chief of Defence People, DG Finance, MOD Police, MOD Chief Operating Officer, DG Commercial).  The job holder will be expected to deliver the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle, produce sourcing strategies, undertake project planning & delivery, contract negotiation and award activities and deliver effective contract management throughout the life of the contract. You will ensure that all procurement activities represent best value for money, whilst ensuring that requirements are procured within regulations and using best practice.

This role is central to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of Head Office Commercial, delivering against our Commercial transformation strategy. This an ideal time for you to join us, developing a broader understanding of end-to-end procurement within a challenging commercial team, and opening opportunities to progress across the wider MOD Commercial function.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The key responsibilities will be to:

• Act as a trusted adviser to Commercial customers across Head Office, peers and management, consulting with customers and stakeholders to ensure that resource deployment (people, time, money) delivers high quality outputs, risk control and value for money for all contracts under management
• Deliver robust relationship management, maximising your own and your teams engagement with / influence over customers and suppliers alike
• Produce processes, documents and tools that facilitate the embedding of best practice into contract placement and contract management activities
• Actively contribute to the creation of programme plans, procurement and contracting strategies
• Deliver the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle for your area of responsibility, sourcing strategies, project planning & delivery, contract negotiation and award, and contract management.
• Ensure that all procurement activities represent best value for money, whilst ensuring that its within regulations and best practice
• Provide effective contract management and supplier relationship management for key suppliers & contracts within area of accountability
• Network actively across Head Office Commercial, MOD and OGDs, Crown Commercial Services and externally in accessing current trends and best practice, as well as potential routes to market
• Review current Commercial processes, policy and governance, and general ways of working in identifying opportunities for improvement
• Support the implementation / promote the use of e-business/procurement tools across Head Office Commercial
• Act as a role model for others, demonstrating good leadership, effective communication and appropriate behaviours while ensuring compliance with standards and policies 

Skills / experience / knowledge

• Good experience gained in either Commercial, Contract Management or Procurement, within the Public or Private Commercial Sector, or similarly complex, matrix organisation
• Knowledge of the Commercial lifecycle and related compliance / governance requirements (e.g., EU / PCR procurement directives)
• Previous involvement in the design and delivery of commercial strategies and procurement projects
• Demonstration of excellent stakeholder engagement & management at all levels, internally and externally

Leadership attributes and behaviours

• Demonstrable commercial acumen in providing advice to customers, delivering positive outcomes and value for money
• Engaging and collaborative, quickly gaining the respect of/buy in from others. Confidently establishes positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners
• Supports organisational change initiatives, helping staff and peers to transition from the old to the new whilst improving performance and embedding better practices
• Resilient, showing political astuteness in supporting senior stakeholders with varied agenda
• Competently navigates policy and process requirements whilst supporting a varied group of stakeholders operating under challenging circumstances
• Organised, effective at prioritising the use of resources (money, time and people)
• Remains current with Commercial best practice
• Strong communicator (written and oral) in communicating with individuals or groups who possess varying levels of Commercial expertise
• Licenced Commercial Officers are responsible for managing the commercial activities across the spectrum of Acquisition and, depending on experience and level of competence, can have delegation to sign contracts up to £2.5 Million at this pay band.

Qualifications

To hold a delegation it is essential that the job holder has a commercial licence.  To have a commercial licence the post holder will need to have CIPS Level 4 qualification and have completed the MOD Practitioner-level accreditation panel to demonstrate Government Commercial Function (GCF) professional standard.

CIPS Level 4 is therefore highly desirable although a candidate that that is willing undertake the required training will be considered. If the candidate does not hold CIPS Level 4, they will be required and will be support to undertake the relevant level of study with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); this will be funded by Head Office Commercial in the MOD.

The post holder will also be required to attend the defence commercial professionalism courses to develop commercial skills and ensure on-going Continuing Professional Development.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options from the GCF People Standards at Commercial Practitioner level
• Procurement Process from the GCF People Standards at Commercial Practitioner level
• Contract and Supplier Management from the GCF People Standards at Commercial Practitioner level

We are passionate about delivering great things for our customers. But we also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities, and our industry leading flexible working practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life.

We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other. At Head Office Commercial you will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.

Some of the many benefits you will receive:

• Market Skills allowances are applicable where relevant to qualified candidates
• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• Flexi-time scheme upon completion of 6 months service
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Alternative working practices
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The Queens birthday
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period for volunteer reserve commitments.
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Highly competitive pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Sports & Social Club, Gym

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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Job contact :

• Name : Terry Pocock
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]