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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
We are looking for a confident and motivated System Administrator and User Support Officer to join the Commercial Intelligence Team (CIT) within the Commercial Group.
The role is pivotal in enabling and supporting usage of systems and processes within the commercial directorate. Ever evolving in response to business need, the current suite includes the Jaggaer Source to Contract e procurement system and the AWARD strategic evaluation tool which enable the lifecycle of commercial activity to be managed to consistent standards and supports a single version of commercial information to promote accuracy in commercial data and reporting.
The Department for Education is responsible for education, childrens services, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England, and equalities. We work to achieve a highly educated society in which opportunity is equal for all, no matter what their background or family circumstances.
Operations Directorate is responsible for the main corporate functions of the department including analysis, commercial, data, estates and security, finance, human resources, international education, operations and delivery, technology and the governance and relationship standards with the DfE’s public bodies. Its role is to support the business to deliver ministerial priorities by ensuring that:
- The department is sufficiently resourced (people, data / information, finance, IT) and organised right to deliver its business objectives; and
- Efficient and effective systems and processes, driven by customer needs, underpin our services.
Commercial Group: The purpose of the commercial function within the Department for Education is to:
- Ensure that all commercial and procurement activity supports the Departments priorities and delivers outstanding value for money. It also exists to proactively develop commercial solutions for the wider education sector that reduce waste in procurement and release funds for the front line.
- The commercial function manages a large and diverse set of activities across the department with many high profile and complex contracts and grants as well as running a highly successful Risk Protection Arrangement for academies and a school buying strategy.
- Commercial Group is currently engaged in an exciting Improvement and Efficiency programme, with the aim of becoming one of the best commercial teams in Government.
Job description
As a System Administrator and User Support Officer within the Commercial Intelligence Team (CIT) you will need to be adaptable, resilient, and ready to undertake a diverse range of tasks, including:
- You must have experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with excellent time management skills to deliver multiple tasks within agreed timeframes. You will need to be able to communicate in a non-technical manner to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You will need to have an eye for detail with strong problem-solving abilities and be flexible and adaptable when responding to evolving priorities.
- You will be expected to develop expertise in the operation and administration of the commercial systems quickly to undertake configuration changes and deliver knowledgeable end user support.
- You will work closely with the Head of Commercial Systems and Commercial Systems Manager to continuously improve the system functionality, develop a user-friendly interface and ensure the systems meet the needs of the commercial operating model.
- You will be responsible for managing system changes against established governance procedures.
- You will provide 1st and 2nd line support to end users via the service desk portal, responding queries in line with published SLAs.
- You will be required to deliver training, develop learning materials and provide hands on support to end users across the business and within the Commercial Delivery teams to promote best practice and break down the barriers to system adoption.
- You will need to develop a good understanding of the Departments corporate systems and of their inter dependencies and integrations with the commercial systems and ensure the Head of Commercial Systems and Commercial Systems Manager are sighted on impactful changes, events, and patch releases.
- You will work closely with the Commercial Intelligence Data Insights Team to support the development of the commercial reporting suite.
Supported by a knowledgeable and friendly team, this is a demanding but rewarding role that would suit someone who enjoys working with a wide range of customers and has experience of developing software applications and user capability to meet business needs.
Person specification
Responsibilities of the role holder will include the following:
- To manage and make configuration changes directly within the commercial systems.
- To monitor and manage the rotation of system licenses to ensure availably.
- To oversee the day to day running of the Commercial Systems service desk and provide 1st and 2nd line system support to end users.
- To deliver system training and create learning materials.
- To support the integration and adoption of new functionality and onboarding of new business areas as they are introduced.
- To provide service reports and present updates to a range of stakeholders.
- To ensure all work products, processes and outputs are recorded in an organised manor and maintained according to CIT procedures.
- To manage a diverse range of tasks running concurrently against demanding timescales.
Essential criteria:
- Experienced in the hands-on administration and configuration of commercial systems (or similar software applications) to meet bespoke requirements.
- An understanding of the stages for implementing system configuration changes.
- Experienced in creating high-quality support and training materials.
Desirable criteria:
- Knowledge or experience of Source to Contract applications.
- Knowledge of public sector procurement process and the commercial lifecycle.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Additional Info:
The role may require travel to our other departmental sites
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experienced in the hands-on administration and configuration of commercial systems (or similar software applications) to meet bespoke requirements
- An understanding of the stages for implementing system configuration changes.
- Experienced in creating high-quality support and training materials.
Benefits
£8,189 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application and Sift
The first selection stage will be a paper sift of your CV and Personal Statement. You will be assessed based on your demonstration of the essential criteria for this role.
Your CV should cover details of education and professional qualifications, employment history, as well as giving details of relevant skills and experience.
Your personal statement (maximum 1,000 words) should include details of how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the person specification. Please include examples of evidence.
We may also conduct a short sift on the three (3) essential criteria as outlined below.
- Experienced in the hands-on administration and configuration of commercial systems (or similar software applications) to meet bespoke requirements.
- An understanding of the stages for implementing system configuration changes.
- Experienced in creating high-quality support and training materials
Interview
Candidates that successfully pass the sift will be invited to interview. At interview, you will be assessed using the following Success Profile Elements:
Behaviours
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical
- Experienced in the hands-on administration and configuration of commercial systems (or similar software applications) to meet bespoke requirements.
- An understanding of the stages for implementing system configuration changes.
- Experienced in creating high-quality support and training materials.
We reserve the right to increase the minimum interview pass mark to select the top scoring candidate/s. All candidates will be placed in merit order Highest scoring first.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
For this role the department would not consider sponsoring a Certificate of Sponsorship/visa. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
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 applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Commercial Recruitment
- Email : recruitment.commercial@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
