Commercial Lead – Net Zero
Government Commercial Function
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 17th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Science is clear that the world is warming, that this is occurring because of human activity, and that left unchecked, continued warming would be deeply harmful, not just to the natural world, but also to human security and wellbeing. The DESNZ Net Zero Strategy and International Commercial Team responds to this challenge by providing an outstanding commercial service to its customers, delivering great outcomes across a portfolio of innovative domestic and international contracts, grants and ‘grant-like’ agreements for net zero projects
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.
We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Job description
The role is responsible for supporting the Net Zero Strategy and International Commercial Team in planning and executing the procurement of goods and services for DESNZ that delivers value for money, is compliant with procurement law, and which demonstrates best commercial and procurement practice.
The role involves providing procurement support to stakeholders by leading activities such as market engagement, stakeholder engagement, evaluation and eSourcing, across categories that include research and professional services. The role will also involve creating grants and non-contractual arrangements with third parties.
The role requires close working with an Associate Commercial Lead but no direct line management. The role will also require working collaboratively with stakeholders, participating in cross-functional teams and delivering value through the effective management of stakeholders and supplier relationships.
While the job holder is assigned to a procurement role in a specific Business Unit, they will be expected to support other Business Units or to undertake contract management responsibilities as required to support fluctuations in workload.
Leading advice and delivery across the full commercial cycle from commercial strategy to contract / grant exit, informed by commercial risks and delivering policy area objectives.
General:
- Management of pipeline of procurements and other requirements and register of contracts and Agreements. This includes the use of the Jaggaer platform.
- Development of appropriate business cases following the Green Book 5 case model.
- Contracts versus Grants assessment
- Development of contractual non-contractual or grant documentation.
- Negotiation with suppliers or partner organisations.
- Ensuring adherence to commercial processes, Public Sector regulations and procedures.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues in policy, delivery, finance, PMO, Legal and the wider DESNZ Commercial team.
- Providing advice and guidance for contract managers to deliver best value and quality outputs for contracts and projects.
- Strong persuasion skills are required for influencing and engaging senior stakeholders, including presentation skills.
Procurement:
- Develop and lead procurements for DESNZ, supporting more complex procurements, that conform to DESNZ Procurement Policy & Procedures and which comply fully with EU procurement law, DESNZ and government policy, and assurance processes.
- Produce strategies for goods and services collaboratively with Commercial teams and the relevant DESNZ business unit and develop a deep understanding of the supply market, category, and business context for both ongoing business and each specific procurement. Provide options and opportunities from a commercial perspective looking at aspects such as requirements, solution options, risks, benefits and sustainability.
- Build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to develop a clear and agreed view on the needs of the business and target outcomes, aligning this with government initiatives, where appropriate.
Support the delivery of complex requirements through the management of activities such as:
- Production of financial analyses and projections.
- Appraisal of supplier proposals.
- Leadership of procurement workstreams, delivering to timescales and objectives.
- Running processes such as eSourcing.
- Deliver cashable savings and other financial/non-financial benefits against targets.
- Provide commercial advice to peers or senior colleagues that draws on relevant procurement legislation, policy, information, supply market knowledge, and commercial experience. Monitor developments in procurement policy and commercial case law.
- Select appropriate commercial models using early market engagement and robust data to inform decisions.
- Understand the key financial, legal and commercial issues in the development of the contracting model and implement these as appropriate in the contract terms and conditions.
- Ensure that commercial risks are identified, understood, and managed at all stages of the procurement, and that ongoing risks are transferred seamlessly into contract management.
- Participate in the negotiation of high value DESNZ procurements and lead on lower value contracts.
- Provide continuity through a planned transition from tendering/contract award to contract management, which protects commercial gains and knowledge, manages risk, and ensures necessary resources and budgets are in place to appropriately manage the contract and maintain the expected value for money over the full contract term.
- Ensure that procurement strategies consider Purchase to Pay (P2P) policy and process to identify the most efficient and effective way to acquire the procured goods and services.
- Gather lessons learned from procurements and ensure these are documented to inform future projects.
Locations
The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.
Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.
This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.
Person specification
- Experience of managing procurement projects or working in large commercial programmes to set timescales and objectives.
- Knowledge of UK procurement law and commercial best practice and experience of applying this to procurement activities.
- Knowledge on other non-contractual types of agreements, such as Grants and knowledge of the Grants Centre of Excellence.
- Commercially astute and able to negotiate best value for money with suppliers in contract negotiations.
- Experience of drafting commercial cases as part of business cases development.
- In depth understanding and knowledge of relevant category, supply market, pricing and commercial practices.
- Willing to work towards MCIPS if not already held.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Manages Complexity - Experience of analysing complex information to make informed commercial decisions
- Commercial Focus - Evidence of taking a lead on securing value for money and delivering great customer outcomes in a complex commercial environment. For example, taking the lead on complex procurements that have delivered such outcomes
- Builds Relationships - Evidence of building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders and / or suppliers towards commercial solutions in a complex commercial environment
- Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options – Engages stakeholders to develop a clear agreed view of requirements & target outcomes. Instigates approaches to support collaborative commercial relationships using appropriate frameworks & standards
- Procurement Process - Experience of developing & delivering detailed commercial strategies to meet customers’ exacting technical requirements, underpinned by an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of procurement & commercial activity
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.
For existing Civil Servants: For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack. Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Please be advised that the Virtual ADC is taking place on 4th December 2024 and will require a full day's attendance.
If you are invited to attend a virtual ADC, but for any reason are unable to meet the date outlined then please get in touch with the team at commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible. The ADC is booked and paid for in advance by departments, therefore it is only in certain circumstances we are able to accommodate alternative dates.
Details of schemes available are attached in the advert.
For full details of our process, and a likely timeline, please read the explanation provided in the attached candidate pack.
Throughout our selection process, we will make decisions about your capability to do the job, based on evidence you provide against the essential criteria for the role which are detailed in the attached Candidate Pack.
Your application will be reviewed by a panel and should you be successful at sift we will invite you to attend a Virtual commercial Assessment and Development Centre (VADC). The panel will review results of the VADC and determine which candidates will go through to a subsequent final panel interview.
IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your application within 2 working days please contact: commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Lynsey Munro
- Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
