Commercial Practitioner
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 6th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Commercial
Procurement and Contracts Management
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
Leeds – Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA.,
Manchester – 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA,
Sheffield – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD.
About the job
Job summary
Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions, it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the UK, look no further.
Supporting people who need it most. That’s our purpose. Start your own career today.
Making the Difference
The DWP is one of the UK's biggest government departments, building services that make a real difference to the lives of 20 million people. Commercial Directorate (CD) is one of the leading government procurement functions, is commercially unique and presents an attractive challenge for anyone wanting to advance their procurement career.
Our Inclusive Culture
We continue to grow our inclusive, diverse culture and focus on making CD a fabulous place to work. A culture where all our people feel themselves, feel valued, empowered, and have a voice that’s heard. We do this well and as a result have a culture where innovation is driven at all levels and by everyone!
Job description
Your role will be a Commercial Practitioner within one of Commercial Categories listed below, with your role's overriding responsibility to manage commercial activity within the category team and across the full commercial lifecycle.
Employment (3 vacancies) - The Employment Services Commercial Category are based across our Leeds, London and Sheffield Commercial Hubs (to note these vacancies will be based in either Leeds or Sheffield).
Here is a summary of the Categories achievements and services we manage
- In 22/23 delivered £126.2 million cash and efficiency savings.
- Winner 2021 GO Overall Excellence Award and Award for COVID-19 Outstanding Response Award – Central Government Organisations.
- In 2021, the Employment team won the DWP Finance Group Working Together Award.
- Winner 2018 CIPS Europe Overall Award and Award for Digital Innovation for the Dynamic Purchasing System.
- Highly Commended for the prestigious GO Awards in 2017, for Team of the Year category for European Social Fund (ESF).
- Procurement and Delivery of the Restart Scheme, providing claimants with enhanced support to find jobs in their local area.
- Delivery of an innovative ‘Future Market Strategy’ jointly owned by both Policy and Commercial.
- Strategic market Stewardship approach alongside Contract Management and Partner Delivery (CMPD) colleagues to drive the market to meet our goals through SRM, Co-Opetition and a cultural shift.
- An opportunity to really change people's lives with our Contracted Employment Programmes to support them back into work.
Service Delivery (1 vacancy) - The Service Delivery Commercial (SDC) category are based across our Blackpool, Leeds, and Manchester, Commercial Hubs.
SDC provide critical services to DWP and its customers enabling it to effectively deliver its objectives on behalf of the Secretary of State. Our contracts directly enable service delivery to millions of citizens who rely on DWP services across the country, we manage commercial contracts across the following key areas:
- Business Process Partnering - provide a wide range of services to DWP such as case review work, fraud error and debt contracts to support operational delivery across thousands of staff and millions of citizens.
- Contact Centres – provide first line Contact Services enabling customers to contact us when required and provide the right support and guidance through some of the largest contracts of this type in the UK.
- Operational Support Services – provide critical Print, Post and Data storage services to ensure we communicate on time with all our citizens, manage data and support millions of citizens who use our services day to day.
Change, Financial & Shared Services (1 vacancy) - The Change, Financial & Shared Services (CFSS) Commercial category are based across our Blackpool, and Manchester Commercial Hubs.
Change, Financial & Shared Services (CFSS) Category provides payment services for Pension and Benefit recipients, DWP colleagues and suppliers in addition to providing critical back-office functions supporting every area of DWP. The Category also supports larger transformation programmes, adopting a business partnering approach to ensure the support and advice is consistent and considers the complex needs of large projects. This includes;
- Service Modernisation
- Change Portfolio
- Fraud and Error & Debt
The Commercial Categories have a portfolio of contracts that are intrinsic to enabling DWP’s services and delivering citizens outcomes, which you will play a part in. Your work within the Category team will be fast paced, and requires pro-active and innovative thinking, with good communication skills and an outgoing and enthusiastic approach to challenges. The post holder will be required to take on commercial management responsibilities for existing or new contracts, so strong commercial skills will enable you to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, to deliver and achieve joint outcomes.
Key activities will include:
- Engaging with and influencing internal stakeholders to determine commercial strategies for future delivery of services.
- Leading and supporting procurement and buying activities to deliver the pipeline of requirements.
- Undertaking contract management, supplier performance and relationship management to drive continuous improvement.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders and suppliers on a regular basis to ensure information collected is up to date, accurate and helps ensure Senior Managers are able to make informed decisions that affect the category.
- Support their respective line managers in all the necessary commercial activity to enable best Value for Money (VFM) solutions to be realised.
Person specification
The roles and responsibilities for this position include, but are not restricted to:
Commercial Strategy
- Take the lead in providing commercial advice to a wide range of stakeholders to support colleagues with market engagement, sourcing, tendering and a wide range of procurement activities.
- Ensure "best outcome" commercial solutions are delivered in line with DWP, Commercial and Category strategies, and ensures value for money.
Stakeholder Management / Engagement / Communication.
- Working with stakeholders at all levels (internal and external) leading work to develop strategy and tactics for procurement category initiatives.
- Create positive supplier relationships, encouraging innovation, creation of “value add” solutions, and a strong customer service ethic.
Managing the Procurement Process
- Undertake end to end procurement activity, utilisation of standardised e-tools, CCS and other framework agreements and contracts as required.
- Producing, reviewing and advising on governance documents and processes such as papers for Commercial Board, Programme Board, gated project submissions etc.
- Project manage necessary work streams and initiatives to ensure timely delivery of objectives, ensuring all necessary process, including formal stakeholder engagement and approvals are completed.
- Take responsibility for the development, review, execution of contracts including supporting negotiation where required.
Leadership
- Promote and play an active part in supporting Commercial Directorate values and culture.
- Manage, coach and develop team members.
Contract Management
- Commercial management of related suppliers including analysis of contract performance information.
Application of Contract Law
- Be comfortable dealing with complex contract and procurement documents.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
Procurement/Contract Management/Risk
- Provide evidence to show an understanding and awareness of procurement commercial projects, which could include where you have worked on strategies and sourcing plans, or end to end contract management / supplier management and commercial risk.
- Demonstrate how you have analysed and understood key management information and performance data to inform decision making.
Stakeholder management / engagement / communication
- Demonstrate previous experience of working collaboratively across a range of stakeholders and gained buy-in using appropriate communication & influencing skills.
Business Acumen & Commercial Judgement
- Demonstrate understanding of managing complexity (such as considering trade-offs) when making commercial decisions.
- Demonstrate how you shaped your organisation’s requirements to be market-suitable, including through the use of documents such as terms & conditions.
Leadership
- Demonstrate how you have previously worked as part of a team, taken ownership to drive an issue forward, given direction and feedback to colleagues that has produced positive results.
- Demonstrate resilience in resolving issues internally and in working with others in the team to manage setbacks.
Attention to Detail (either / or)
- Provide evidence of how your focus and attention to detail has enabled you to resolve an issue or negotiate a better outcome for your organisation.
- Provide evidence of how your focus and attention to detail has ensured accuracy in the end goal/result.
- Review and assimilate financial information to inform commercial decisions.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
If successful you will join us in one of our brilliant DWP hub locations of Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester or Sheffield.
Our team values the ability to balance their life and their work, with flexible hours, flex-friendly, hybrid working (some time in the office, some time at home) and lots more. Flexi-time policy means that at those times when you might need to work longer to get the job done, you build up flexi-credits that you can use to start later or finish earlier or take extra days off.
Our teams are friendly and supportive – the work we do is important, but your life, health and happiness come first.
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Hybrid Working
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please apply on the Civil Service Jobs website. You will be required to:
- Provide personal information.
- Enter your CV in the space provided, setting out your employment history.
- Complete a Personal Statement (maximum of 1250 words) which should demonstrate how you meet ALL the essential skills as set out in the job description.
Stage 1 Assessment - Sift:
At sift, we will assess your application by using your CV and personal statement only. To be successful, you must demonstrate your experience matching ALL of the Essential Skills listed in the job advert above.
Please note that you are not required to produce behaviour based examples in the content of your CV or personal statement as these are not assessed at sift. Applications will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and personal statement and entered as one overall score within the results.
In the event of a large number of applications we will use the Lead Criteria – Essential Skill : Procurement/Contract Management/Risk to initially assess your application during the Sift stage. Candidates who pass the initial Sift may be progressed to a full Sift or direct to interview.
Stage 2 Assessment - Interview:
If you are successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to a video interview using MS Teams, where you shall be assessed on the Behaviours listed below as well as Experience based questioning.
We will assess your relevant experience against the essential criteria mentioned above and we will assess the Behaviours listed below.
Interview Assessment Elements (Success Profiles):
We will assess the following Behaviours at interview;
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
Candidates will be expected to provide suitable ID at interview stage.
Indicative Timeline is:
Please note that the following 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.
- Application closing date is 6th November 24.
- Sifting Panel: to be held from 7th November 24.
- Final Panel Interviews: to be held w/c 2nd December 24.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP 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
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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
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 : Jayne Hirst
- Email : cd.policyandoperationsbom@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission
