Assistant Commercial Officer Apprenticeship
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 7th October 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.
Job grade
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Apprenticeship
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Number of jobs available
Contents
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About the job
Job summary
Are you are looking for a rewarding career which uses your great communication skills, top-level organisation skills and positive outlook? If you see challenges as opportunities to be faced head on, then an apprenticeship in commercial procurement at Defra could be the opportunity for you!
If you are also passionate about protecting our environment then read on…because these roles are working for Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). We are the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
Encouraging diverse applicants
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.
Job description
These 7 commercial apprentice roles are within the Commercial Procurement Team at Defra. The team buys all the goods and services needed by Defra to deliver its priorities. This is everything from IT applications to flood defences and lots in between. We often respond to unusual requests, for example finding specialist vans to collect pets traveling to the UK from Ukraine to be reunited with their owners. It’s fair to say Defra would not be able to do all the vital work improving our environment without the commercial team.
You will gain experience working with colleagues across Defra to work out exactly what they need to buy and researching the companies available to supply what is needed. You will also learn how to run a competitive tender process to find the best supplier and then form a contract with the supplier.
These are permanent positions and a great development opportunity for an individual with an interest in commercial procurement to undertake a two-year Level 4 apprenticeship as part of their role. After the two years, upon successful completion of the apprenticeship scheme you will be a permanent member of staff at Executive Officer (EO) grade.
We hope you’re up for a challenge because these are busy roles as you’ll be doing everything from helping to plan projects, set up meetings to drafting documents. Beyond that, you’ll be ensuring the commercial projects run smoothly by being super organised and heading off problems before they happen.
You’ll use your great communication skills and confidence dealing with a range of people as building relationships is key to everything we do.
You’ll be rubbing shoulders with senior colleagues and external suppliers with the opportunities to see how your managers and leaders operate. You’ll enjoy researching and using data as well as being methodical and organised.
For further details about the roles available please see the attached candidate pack.
Person specification
You will be working as part of a team on a range of projects gaining experience and developing the skills needed to succeed with your Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Diploma (level 4) studies. The apprenticeship is fully funded and will be completed within your normal working hours (training will be 20% of your time). After the two years, upon successful completion of the apprenticeship scheme you will be a permanent member of staff at Assistant Commercial Officer (EO) grade. We will continue to support your personal and professional development once your apprenticeship is completed.
Person specification
About you
- You may have just finished full time education and be at the start of your career or looking to start a new career
- You’re a natural and flexible communicator with a positive attitude and the ability to cut straight to the important stuff.
- You’re able to organise while working at pace and problem solving.
- You’ll enjoy conducting research and using evidence to support your conclusions.
- You’re familiar with all the usual tech. We use Teams (a lot) and we’re getting better at AI.
- Oh, and you’ll need level-2 qualifications in Maths and English to be eligible. That’s grade C/4 GCSE and hold a level 3 qualification (2 A levels or equivalent).
- And don’t worry if you don’t yet have a burning desire to save the planet. That will come!
Eligibility
To be considered for this role you must hold the qualifications listed in this advert, but you must also be eligible for apprenticeship funding. The eligibility criteria for an apprenticeship is detailed in the Candidate Pack but it is important to note all apprenticeships are designed to provide substantive new skills and learning. If you already have experience in Commercial Procurement and Supply, you would not be eligible for this role.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
Benefits
Pension and financial benefits:
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%. Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invests in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension
- Life assurance: if you become too ill or die before retirements valuable benefits will be provided to you and your family
- Offering 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days over 5 years) for new entrants to the Civil Service and retaining existing arrangements for current Civil Servants
- End of year Performance Awards and Staff Recognition Schemes
- Cycle to work scheme and season free ticket loan to support travel to work
Learning and development:
- Access to five days of learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning, and on the job development (shadowing, coaching, working with project teams) and talent management programmes
- Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering
Staff wellbeing:
- Access to Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service, and the Civil Service Sports Council
- Flexible working, scope for working at home and compressed hours
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement.
In your Personal statement please use the following guidance:
To help understand what motivates and drives you, please tell us:
- Why you are interested in applying for this role (max 250 words)
- About something you have achieved which made you really proud (max 250 words)
You will also be asked to complete 3 x Behaviour Statements on the specified Behaviours (max 250 words).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Behaviour: Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
At the interview stage we will assess you against the Behaviours and against Strengths. More information on ‘Strengths’ is included in the Candidate Pack.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
We intend to commence interviews week commencing 21 October 2024.
Currently, all interviews are being conducted remotely.
The indicative dates are also listed in the attached Candidate Pack.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Who can start an apprenticeship?
To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over
- living in England
- not in full-time education
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship. Please note if successful you must be 16 or over to undergo the relevant security checks.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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 : Katie Bromley
- Email : DGCStrategyPlanning@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
