Government Commercial Function

About Government Commercial Function

Job Title: Commercial Lead – Professional Services (2 Positions) – Department for International Trade Role Summary: There are two positions available in professional services roles. The primary responsibility for the roles is category management, contract management and executing the procurement of goods and services within the Department for International Trade (DIT) that deliver value for money, are compliant with procurement law, and which demonstrate best commercial and procurement practice. When applying candidates will be considered for both positions Location: London Security Clearance: CTC Salary: This role is at Commercial Lead level with a pay scale of £60,500 to £74,000 + up to 15% Performance-Related-Pay, GCO Pension and GCO Terms. Successful candidates that are existing civil servants will be: offered a salary in line with the standard Civil Service rules on level transfer or promotion; offered the choice between GCO terms, or Cabinet Office Civil Service terms if they prefer. In such instances, the salary will be adjusted downwards to sit on the GCO Civil Service equivalent pay scale for CL level which is £44,461 - £61,484. Existing Civil Servants will move to modernised terms and conditions on appointment. A loan agreement will apply to existing civil servants outside of the GCO who score a B at ADC and are successful at interview. For further information please get in touch with your recruitment contact. Benefits: As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK. Please note that any move across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018 may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. Vacancy reference: 43610 Closing Date: 18th March IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your application within 2 working days please contact: [email removed] The Role The primary responsibility for the roles is category management, contract management and executing the procurement of goods and services within the Department for International Trade (DIT) that deliver value for money, are compliant with procurement law, and which demonstrate best commercial and procurement practice. Influencing business strategy to deliver the best commercial outcomes is an important part of the roles which requires proactive engagement and influencing to assist the DIT business unit in achieving their objectives. Challenging key stakeholder direction and decisions where appropriate is a key attribute of this role but always, crucially, by working collaboratively. Pre-market engagement will be a further vital element, ensuring that suppliers and supply markets are utilised and prepared to deliver maximum value for money. Leveraging their procurement and contract management expertise the post holders will be expected to develop an understanding of, and provide leadership across, their categories of spend. The post holder will be expected to deploy their skills and experience flexibly across both sourcing and contract management to deliver this agenda The post holders are responsible for owning category data, setting category strategies and leading on all aspects of commercial activity relating to their categories. The post holders shall be expected to identify areas where economies, efficiency or effectiveness of spend in the category may be improved. Driven by this insight they will be responsible for designing and leading strategic sourcing work to procure the required services. Role 1 Overview – Professional Services Category The portfolio is critical to the delivery of Departmental objectives, and includes the sourcing and management of labour, capability & training, insurance, translation and other professional services contracts. Over the next 18 months the post holder will be responsible for developing the strategic direction for the one of the Department’s largest contracts which is due to expire in the next 18 months. This presents an opportunity to work across the department at a senior level to lead strategy development and manage the procurement of a high-profile and high-value project. The post holder will also be responsible for contract management of a number of strategically important interim labour contracts on behalf of the department in the Tier 1 category. Liaising with senior stakeholders across the business, the post holder will ensure the contract remains aligned to business demand and that timely, accurate and relevant insights and MI are produced. This includes ensuring robust supplier management, standards setting, payments management, negotiation and issue management. For contracts owned by the business then the post holder is responsible for supporting professional contract management in the business. Role 2 Overview – Overseas Exporter Support Services Contract The portfolio is critical to the delivery of Departmental objectives and includes the sourcing and management of services overseas which support UK companies in exporting. Over the next 18 months the post holder will be responsible for completing a programme of procurements to replace our current services. This presents an opportunity to work across the overseas teams in DIT to lead strategy development and manage the procurement of a number of high-profile projects. The post holder will support the exit from the existing contracts and shall transition to support contract management of the new arrangements on completion of the procurement programme. Liaising with senior stakeholders across the business, the post holder will ensure the contract remains aligned to business demand and that timely, accurate and relevant insights and MI are produced. This includes ensuring robust supplier management, standards setting, payments management, negotiation and issue management are being implemented. Relevant skills:- It is likely suitable candidates will be able to evidence:- Category / Procurement Leadership – being able to drive forward relevant strategies whilst demonstrating category expertise. Contract Management – ensuring robust management practices are in place with a keen focus on financial control. Team Management – is role dependant, however both roles are leadership focused so previous experience of offering leadership to direct and indirect reports is required. Essential Criteria: As well as a CV, candidates will need to submit a supporting Statement of Suitability demonstrating/evidencing their capability to meet the essential criteria below:- In- depth Category / Contract / Procurement Management, ideally in Professional Services, that has delivered outstanding value for money and strong Commercial outcomes The ability to demonstrate the implementation of the latest Category Management methodology and a clear demonstration of staying abreast of latest Category Management market trends Proven experience in influencing Senior Internal and External stakeholders Evidence of the ability to identify process improvements and successfully manage changes that deliver great Commercial outcomes Strong leadership capability, being able to illustrate how to successfully lead a team or manage a project. Indicative Timeline Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these time frames, please let us know in your application. The anticipated timetable is as follows: Advert Open & Close: 24th February – 18th March Sift Meeting: 20th March Assessment Centre: 1st / 2nd April (to be held in central London – please keep dates free) Final Panel Interviews: w/c 13th April (to be held in London – please keep the date free) Anticipated Outcomes: 27th April Overview of the Process The Government Commercial Function has its own professional standards framework and the recruitment process is based on this as well as the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Your CV and statement of suitability will be assessed by the panel against the criteria for the role. If the panel deems you have passed the sift on that basis, you will be invited to attend the commercial assessment centre. After the assessment centre, the panel will consider all applicants who obtain either an A or B and decide who to put forward to a final panel interview. The assessment centre and final panel will be held in Central London. You will be advised of the format in advance. Candidates may have the opportunity to meet with the recruiting Line Manager to learn more about the role and the organisation, further detail of this will be confirmed with the applicant. We regret that due to the volume of applicants, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who do not get through the sift stage. The Department The Department for International Trade has overall responsibility for developing, coordinating and delivering a new trade and investment policy for the UK, including preparing for and then negotiating Free Trade Agreements and market access deals with non-EU countries, and promoting UK trade and investment across the world. Working across the whole of government, industry and our extensive overseas networks to help UK businesses win lucrative deals, the Department supports UK businesses in scaling up and taking advantage of the global appetite for British goods and services, as well as demonstrating that there has never been a better time for international companies to partner with UK suppliers. We engage with global trade partners in order to build on our trade relationships and improve the policy environment for international trade and investment. Through the cross-departmental GREAT Britain campaign, we build the global appetite for British goods and services and encourage more people to visit, study, invest in and do business with the UK. Welcome Message from Gareth Rhys Williams, Government Chief Commercial Officer Thank you for your interest in joining HM Government’s Commercial Function. Building a strong Commercial Function in Government, and with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of Civil Service reform. The Government Commercial Function is more than just the response to the challenges that Government has faced in recent times; it is an essential element of the Government’s efforts to address the value for money agenda, while delivering higher quality public services. Our vision is to make the Government’s Commercial Function the best in the UK: staffed with top commercial specialists, creating and managing innovative, efficient and effective commercial arrangements. This is an exciting and diverse environment – we spend around £49bn per year on procurements that range from £100k to multi-billion pound contracts, with annual spend on individual contracts often exceeding £500m. Our supply base includes SMEs and the largest multinationals and our business models have the Government acting as shareholder or sponsor, as well as being an ‘intelligent client’. We need to continue to improve our knowledge of the marketplace. We need to maximise value from our commercial dealings and increasingly have to put in place the tools to achieve that; better IT and databases, consistent methodology and benchmarking. But tools alone are not enough. We need senior commercial specialists across all Government departments working collectively to address common ‘Crown’ objectives and acting as a single customer. We have recognised the crucial importance of building the senior leadership group within the Commercial Function; recognised as senior professionals, supported through ongoing specialised training and development, and encouraged to make personal progress. We are building a cadre of commercial talent in all Government departments; people who can manage our commercial portfolios, who can lead our most complex and novel programmes and projects, people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside our policy and operational leaders to develop innovative commercial arrangements, whether through joint ventures, outsourcing or best-in-class contracts. I hope you will be inspired to join us and help lead the ongoing commercial reform agenda of the Civil Service. You won’t find a more exciting or diverse challenge elsewhere. Gareth Rhys Williams Background to the Government Commercial Function The Civil Service is one of the biggest and most complex employers in the UK, employing over 400,000 Civil Servants serving both Ministers and the public to deliver the priorities of the Government of the day. These include major projects with a lifecycle cost of around £500bn, as well as programmes and services that affect everyone in the United Kingdom. The annual spend is c. £49bn per annum with a range of suppliers including SMEs. Following issues with some major contracts and key suppliers, the Civil Service has committed itself to dramatically improving its commercial performance. This has included establishing a Commercial Function that will operate with, and in support of, departments. A senior Government Chief Commercial Officer was appointed from the private sector to head up the Commercial Function. This is also aligned with the first set of Commercial Standards published for Government in February 2016, updated in November 2016 which we now benchmark against. Commercial resources overseen by the function number some 4000 staff across Whitehall, and consist of: A number of core interlocking central teams working together on Policy, Standards and Continuous Improvement, Complex Transactions, Markets and Suppliers (that will build pan-Government relationships with key suppliers) and Commercial Capability Colleagues in the Commercial Directorates within Departments and Agencies, and The Crown Commercial Service, a trading fund sourcing common goods and services for the Civil Service and the wider public sector, managing spend of circa £13bn The Commercial Function is led by Gareth Rhys Williams, the Government Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO). He reports directly to the Chief Executive of the Civil Service, John Manzoni. Additional Information The information offered is supplied in good faith but does not in itself form any part of the contract of employment. Eligibility: The post is advertised to suitably qualified people in the external market and on level transfer or promotion to existing Civil Servants and those in accredited Non Departmental Public Bodies. Appointment Term: Applicants must have achieved an A or a B* at a GCF Assessment and Development Centre (ADC) or be willing** to attend an ADC. Those candidates with a B grade would only be eligible for appointment on a fixed term basis (for external candidates) or temporary promotion basis (for existing Civil Servants) until such time when they secure an A at the ADC, at which point they can be offered a permanent contract without further competition. ‘A’ grade candidates will be eligible for permanent appointments. ** For those who have already attended an ADC and not achieved an A or B, they must be eligible to re-sit (in line with re-assessment policy). Arrangements for interview: Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed by the Department except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance. Working Arrangements: This role is available for full-time, part-time or flexible working arrangements (including job share arrangements). Security Clearance: This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and either Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) or Security Check (SC) clearance. Information for candidates about security clearance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-security-vetting-advice-for-people-who-are-being-vetted Please note that CTC clearance would normally require 3 years’ UK residency in the past 3 years and SC clearance would normally require 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement but supplementary checks may be required where individuals have not lived in the UK for the required period. This may mean that your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. Reserved for UK Nationals: Certain posts, notably those concerned with security and intelligence, might be reserved for British Citizens, but this will not normally prevent access to a wide range of developmental opportunities within the Civil Service. This is not a reserved post. Conflicts of Interest: Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests they may have that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the Department. They are required to declare any relevant business interests, shareholdings, positions of authority, retainers, consultancy arrangements or other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies, both for themselves and for their spouses/partners. The successful candidate will be required to give up any conflicting interests and his/her other business and financial interests may be published. Equality and Diversity: The Government Commercial Function is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We value and welcome diversity. We aim to develop all our staff to enable them to make a full contribution to meeting our objectives and to fulfil their own potential on merit. We will not tolerate harassment or other unfair discrimination on grounds of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. We will promote and support the use of a range of flexible working patterns to enable staff to balance home and work responsibilities; we will treat people fairly irrespective of their working arrangements. Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, we are legally required to consider making reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and selection process. We are therefore committed to meeting, wherever possible, any needs you specify in your application. We will also consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Act to enable any applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post. The Government Commercial Function offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for all disabled applicants. We are committed to interviewing all applicants with a disability who provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post, as set out in this applicant pack. To be eligible, your disability must be within the definition laid down in the Equality Act 2010. A disabled person is defined by the Equality Act 2010 as someone who has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. For the purposes of this policy, these words have the following meanings: ‘Substantial’ means more than minor or trivial ‘Long-term’ means that the effect of the impairment has lasted, or is likely to last, 12 months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions) ‘Normal day-to-day activities’ include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping. Should you consider yourself eligible to apply for this post under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please complete the relevant section during the application process. Civil Service Code: All Civil Servants are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code that details the Civil Service values, standards of behaviour and rights and responsibilities. For further information visit Gov.UK. Civil Service Recruitment Principles: The Government Commercial Function’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as described in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. More detailed information can be found on the Civil Service Commission website: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk. Complaints: If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Helen Mallison ([email removed]) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission via the following web page: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/. Reserve Lists: If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies in the Civil Service requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition. Line Manager Notification: For internal candidates we strongly recommend that you advise your Line Manager of your application, particularly if you get to assessment centre stage. Previous candidates have found it helpful to discuss the ADC outcome report with their Line Manager and seek their support on areas for development. Alternative Formats: If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then please contact: [email removed].

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