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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Our Mission
We are known as IfATE, we are a group of passionate people who work with employers to develop, approve, review and revise apprenticeships and technical qualifications.
We are transforming and improving the skills system by putting employers at the heart and making it easier to navigate for all.
You will be part of an organisation that works to help people of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to maximise their potential, contribute to improving social mobility and the UKs productivity.
Find out more about the work of IfATE in the What we do page on our website.
We are building an inclusive culture to make IfATE a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, and actively welcome applications from everyone including those from underrepresented groups.
Commercial Apprenticeship Scheme Level 4
During your role you will work towards the Commercial procurement and supply Level 4. As an apprentice you will learn about the procurement cycle right through to the contract management stage, develop specialist skills, build depth to your knowledge and bring enhanced value to yourself and the workplace.
The duration of the apprenticeship programme will take approximately 14 to 18 months to complete and is made up of 5 modules over this period. Youll have tutored learning sessions and lots of individual and peer-learning resources for this exam-based qualification.
As part of the apprenticeship, you will be required to undertake the CIPS level 4 diploma. In addition to the protected time for your apprenticeship some further study leave will be made available around exam periods.
The apprenticeship training would consist of 80% On the job work experience and 20% in education training. Youll receive coaching to ensure youre on track to develop the skills and knowledge required to complete the apprenticeship and build your fantastic career upon completion of the scheme.
This is a 30-month contract, which we anticipate will allow for completion of the apprenticeship, inclusive of the EPA period.
Job description
The role of the Commercial Apprentice could include any one of the following: Commercial Support, Commercial Analyst, Sourcing Executive, Procurement Operations Support, Buyer, Assistant Buyer, Commercial Relationship Support, Commissioning and Performance Monitoring Officer, Framework Management Support, Contract Associate, Contract Support.
Responsibilities:
- Purchasing Goods and Services in an open, transparent and fair way.
- Work broadly across the Commercial Delivery Division according to business need.
- Helping departments to source and purchase Goods and Services.
- Assisting with Apprenticeship and T Level projects.
- Improving value for money through selecting appropriate routes to market, effective contract management and negotiation.
- Deal with Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ).
- Prepare pre tender, tender and contract documentation in conjunction with the customer.
- Prepare contract management documentation in conjunction with the customer.
- Managing an e-Sourcing tool (Proactis) i.e. updating and uploading information, managing clarification questions, supplier notifications etc.
You may be required to undertake other duties as prescribed by the line manager as appropriate.
Person specification
The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to Learning and Development, as this will be essential for the Apprenticeship element of the position. You will need to be inquisitive and able to find creative solutions to problems, particularly around Commercial guidelines and obligations. You will need to be customer focused, with both internal and external customers reliant on the Commercial Delivery Division for advice and assistance.
Essential Criteria:
- Good Analytical Skills and an eye for detail: Able to synthesise and interpret information from a range of sources, understand users and their needs based on evidence, and present findings and recommendations clearly
- Strong Communication Skills: Able to explain clearly and purposefully using a range of communication methods.
- Flexibility: Able to manage and respond to changing priorities, both in their own work and that of others.
- Ability to work alone and as part of a team: Able to work unsupervised and in coordination with others, both within and outside the Commercial Delivery Division.
- Excellent problem-solving skills: Ability to identify and resolve complex and challenging issues with sensitivity and professionalism.
Youll need 5 GCSEs, grade C and above, or the new grade 4 and above, including English Language and Maths, or equivalent.
Working flexibly is important to the success of the IfATE, and while you will have specific responsibilities as set out above, you will be part of a one team approach and may be asked to be involved in a range of other activities. As new areas of work progress, you may be asked to move between teams to deliver the IfATEs key priorities.
Benefits
£7,100 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
IfATE offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- An environment with flexible working options
- A generous Annual leave entitlement of 25 days (not including bank holidays) increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30 days. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
- An extensive range of learning and professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
- Access to a range of retail, travel & lifestyle employee discounts.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Institute’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the Institute, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution of 27%, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Experience.
Application
You will be asked to submit a Personal statement (word count: 500) in which you will need to evidence how you meet the essential criteria listed above.
Please can you also submit a CV which details your employment history and qualifications. This will not be scored and will be used as a supporting document.
The personal statement will be assessed at sift. If we receive high volumes of applications, we will sift only on the first essential criteria, so please ensure that the first 150-200 words of your statement are aligned to this criterion.
Candidates eligible for the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) will be invited to interview if they meet the minimum criteria at application stage. Please refer to the Candidate Information Pack for more details.
Interview
The interview will involve a discussion around your experience based on the adverts criteria, your CV, and your statement.
Sift is expected to take place w/c 13/11/23.
Interviews are expected to take place w/c 27/11/23.
Please note, the above dates are subject to change.
Interviews will be expected to take place remotely via MS Teams. Please refer to Candidate Information Pack for further information on the process.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to IFATE 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
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 IFArecruitment.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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
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 applicants 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Further Information
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education does not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
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 : Kev Burgess
- Email : kev.burgess@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : IFArecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
