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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdoms (UK) national security?
Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.
The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UKs nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.
The UKs independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines known as the Dreadnought Class and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry.
Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.
The positions are advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The DNO Commercial Team has staff based in London, Bristol and Reading. These posts will be based in either MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol), AWE Aldermaston (Reading) or MOD Main Building (London) and will require routine travel between the sites.
DNO Commercial is a dynamic and talented team working at the heart of maintaining the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) which deals with complex market forces and monitors the supply chain fragility of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).
We conduct every part of the commercial lifecycle from identifying complex requirements to procuring sensitive material to managing billion-pound contracts and Category A programmes the work we undertake is at a highly classified level.
Whilst assessing the supply chain, we look to intervene in the market to protect CASD whether that be nationalising businesses (Atomic Weapons Establishment), acquiring businesses (Sheffield Forgemasters) or ringfencing sensitive capabilities (Ultra Electronics).
Throughout our work we manage a wide range of stakeholders with partners across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise ranging from the Submarine Delivery Agency to the Royal Navy, Babcock, BAE, Atomic Weapons Establishment and Sheffield Forgemasters.
We operate with an annual budget of £6.9BN, working at the heart of government and protecting the UKs most sensitive national security capabilities.
As a Commercial Manager within DNO Commercial, you will be responsible for sourcing and managing the delivery of a range of contracts and providing commercial support and assurance of AWE, Sheffield Forgemasters and wider supply chain across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
The role will involve both sourcing and contract management and successful candidates can have a delegation of up to £10M once certain criteria are met.
Successful candidates will already be working in a commercial environment and will be able to demonstrate a blend of strong professional functional skills, including a deep understanding of procurement principles and practices, supply chain and category management principles, strong leadership skills, a drive to deliver great customer service and a proven ability to develop and maintain productive stakeholder relationships.
Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post. Successful candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before starting the role.
Person specification
Responsibilities
- Undertake commercial activities across the Procurement lifecycle from pre-market engagement, developing and executing sourcing strategies, contract management and closure.
- Execution and post award management of contracts through high quality contract management, ensuring key contract artefacts are in place, managing supplier performance and contract change effectively, to ensure ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered.
- Collaborative working with project colleagues to achieve customer requirements.
- Deliver effective stakeholder engagement and management within the MOD, other government departments and industry partners.
- Using strong financial and commercial analysis to inform evidence-based decision making.
- Supporting, mentoring and developing staff, you will be a visible role model for the people you lead and manage.
- Providing commercial advice and guidance through business partnering.
- Promoting continuous commercial improvement across the team.
- Potential line management of up to two commercial officers.
Qualifications
CIPS Level 4 or above (or working towards/willingness to work towards to achieve this level within 2 years of joining).
Development Profile:
This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and expanding team of committed procurement professionals working in a strategically important area of Defence. We can offer a varied and challenging role making a real difference.
The role offers both structured and informal professional development on functional and behavioural skills, as well as leadership skills which would provide opportunities to build on and develop a career in government procurement.
The role will require occasional travel in the UK with potential overnight stays.
Relevant skills / experience needed
Essential
- Experience of high value and/or complex contract management and/or
- Experience of sourcing, from pre-market engagement through to contract award.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
- Experience of category and supply chain management.
- Experience of team leadership & development.
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:
- Commercial Competency 2 Sourcing
- Commercial Competency 3 Contract Management
Benefits
£11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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/
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
At Application
Please submit a CV and Personal Statement of no more than 750 words covering:
- Evidence of current and/or recent previous commercial experience.
- Evidence of working successfully with the customer as part of the commercial role.
- Evidence of excellent communication skills with the ability to relate commercial information to a non-specialist audience.
- Overall suitability and interest in the role
A sift will be conducted on your CV and Personal Statement.
At Interview: Candidates will be assessed on;
Behaviours:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical: Commercial Skills and Competency Framework Practitioner Level
- Commercial Competency 2 Sourcing
- Commercial Competency 3 Contract Management
Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams
Nationality Requirements – Further Information for Candidates
- This post is classed as Reserved as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service1 (Paragraph. 3.1).
UK National Definition
- The definition of a UK National can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Dual Nationals
- As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:
- Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the
Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.
Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts
- As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:
- departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional
requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.
- If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons.
DNO External Recruitment
DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk
Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : DNO External Recruiting Team
- Email : DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
