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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
The Defence Commercial Graduate Programme (DCGP) aims to recruit individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds. A diverse group of graduates with varied skills and experiences, which enables the Ministry of Defence (MOD) perform at its best.
If youre considering a career in Procurement and Contract Management, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a challenging opportunity like no other. The portfolio of MODs business is unique. We buy and support an extensive range of equipment, services and infrastructure to support the Armed Forces; from food ration packs, army boots, and military accommodation facilities, to aircraft carriers and helicopters, and everything in between. Commercial Officers are responsible for the sourcing, purchasing and management of goods, works and/or services on behalf of the MOD.
The DCGP Programme is up to two years, focused on developing the next generation of Commercial Officers. Our Programme will provide you with the experiences, education, mentorship and professional qualifications you need for a long-lasting career in Procurement.
All degrees and backgrounds are welcome; the only educational requirement is that you have achieved or are predicted to achieve 2:2 (or higher classification) in your undergraduate degree.
What is Commercial
MOD is made up of smaller, enabling organisations called Delivery Organisations (DO) and Front-Line Commands (FLC) who can focus on developing specialised skills for a variety of procurements, from construction to submarines.
There are three sub-categories to Commercial work:
Pre-Sourcing
Pre-Sourcing activities focus on gaining an understanding of the market to aid the development of an appropriate sourcing strategy for the goods, works and/or services being procured. Examples include defining the requirement, conducting supplier market analysis and early market engagement.
Sourcing
The sourcing strategy is executed in this phase to deliver the requirement. The work of a Commercial Officer during this stage of the Procurement Cycle includes advertising & selecting suppliers, supplier negotiation & dialogue and tender evaluation.
Contract Management
There are three fundamental pillars of Contract Management: effective Contract Administration, Relationship Management and Managing Performance and Service Delivery. Managing the Contract is vital in ensuring a contractor delivers the requirement as detailed in the Contract.
See link below for further information on the Defence Commercial Graduate Programme:
Job description
The DCGP is a structured development Programme lasting up to two years and aims to develop graduates into high calibre professional commercial officers with the ability to manage the MODs innovative and demanding commercial business activities and potentially be future leaders in the Function. It is owned by the MOD Director General Commercial and is centrally governed by the DCGP Management Team.
Upon joining the DCGP you will be sponsored by a specific Business Area for the duration of the Programme, and line managed by a dedicated Sponsor Line Manager within that Business Area. Your first and last placements will be at your designated permanent duty station within your Sponsored Business Area, and at least one other placement will be within another Business Area, which may be based in a different geographical location. (Out of Pocket expenses are payable if you work away from your nomal duty station). You will regrade from the Programme to a post within your Sponsored Business Area at your designated Permanent Duty Station.
During your time on the Programme, you will undertake work placements of varying lengths. You will initially undertake 2 x 6 months’ placements in the first year, to give you immediate hands-on experience of the fundamentals of contract drafting and placement, Terms & Conditions and the tendering process. In the second year, there is more flexibility, and placements will be between 3 to 6 months’ duration to aid development of the full set of the required behaviours, whilst delivering specific outputs for individual teams.
Day-to-day, placements will provide you with the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the procurement and contract management activities undertaken by the commercial officer role. You will be provided with real experience in:
Developing appropriate contracting methods and strategies
Agreeing and evaluating tenders against specifications
Negotiating with Industry, including pricing and payment considerations
Procurement and Intellectual Property Law
Supplier relations and contract management
Risk mitigation and management
Upon joining, you will complete induction training and embark on your Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and MOD Specific training. You will receive on-going support throughout the Programme from your Sponsor Line Manager, the DCGP Management Team, experienced Mentors, and past and present Programme members.
At the end of the Programme, provided you have achieved the standards expected, you will be offered the opportunity to move into a middle management professional role within your Sponsor Business Areas commercial function at your designated Permanent Duty Station.
If you are successful and join the DCGP, the location detailed in your offer will be your Permanent Duty Station. Whilst there may be the opportunity for an element of home working, those on Development Programmes and early in their careers should spend more than 60% of their working time in office to get the most out of development and learning opportunities. In particular you will benefit from face to face time with your wider placement team and senior colleagues.
All employees are encouraged to take reasonable measures to live within a reasonable travelling distance of their main place of work, although the decision is for the employee to make. Employees are responsible for meeting the cost of their home to work travel and the DCGP does not offer relocation expenses or financial support to travel to your Permanent Duty Station.
Permanent Duty Station locations will be allocated, where possible, based on your personal preferences. However, please note that the number of positions at each location is strictly limited and some locations may only be able to accommodate one or two Graduates. Whilst every effort will be made to meet your personal preferences this is not always possible, and you may be offered a role at a different location.
Person specification
Enjoy solving complex problems and can deliver clear and effective solutions
Have high standards of written and verbal communication
Are keen on embracing change
Are willing to share information, knowledge and skills
Have a strong focus on meeting customer requirements in our support to the Armed Forces
Can understand the bigger picture whilst dealing with the essential detail
Are keen to seek out new opportunities for learning, self-development and career development
Are prepared to commit to up to two years on a fast paced and intensive development programme
If applying on a part-time basis, please be aware that there are substantial study and training commitments whilst on the programme.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a 2:2 degree (or higher classification) or be predicted to achieve a 2:2 or higher degree, by 31st July 2024.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
£7,938 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Learning and development tailored to your role. The Programme provides professional training via the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 Corporate Award Practitioner (CAP) and CIPS Level 5/6 Corporate Award Advanced Practitioner (CAAP); successful completion of which results in full membership of CIPS (MCIPS) after 3 years experience in a responsible procurement role. You will also have access to tailored workshops and other relevant training.
- 25-day Annual Leave allowance, rising to a maximum of 30 days.
- Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
- An environment with flexible working options
- Workplace Nurseries at most major locations
- Access to Gym and Sports memberships
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Selection process details
We will assess you against these behaviours at the application and sift stages:
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
We will assess you against these behaviours during the Assessment Centre:
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
An Inclusive employer, the DCGP and the Civil Service at large are strongly dedicated to promoting equal employment opportunity irrespective of your race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, civil status, sex, or gender identity.
Applications are welcomed and strongly encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, and we are actively working to establish a diverse workforce across the entire organisation. We are delighted to announce that we are an Equal Opportunities Employer and that we recruit purely based upon the merit of each and every individual applicant.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to ensuring that we recruit the very best individuals and obtain a diverse and inclusive viewpoint to our decision making. We can assure you that we search for all types of talent and are striving to make sure that all social groups are successfully represented.
How to Submit This
After submitting your application, you will receive links to complete the Numerical Reasoning Test (NRT) and Verbal Reasoning Test (VRT). These tests must be completed as part of the initial stage of the application process, and before the end of the closing date 31st January 2024, they are online Multiple-choice tests which are not timed.
All Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) candidates who successfully meet the requirement for the Grade through the on-line tests will be taken forward to the next stage. Please note that evidence of eligibility will be required.
At the next stage, Candidate Behaviour Statements will be anonymous and assessed and sifted by an independent Assessment Services company against the effective indicators for these Behaviours.
Candidates deemed suitable at sift for the Programme (which will be regarded as the minimum selection criteria) will then be invited to a one-day Assessment Centre.
The Assessment Centre will be managed and administered by our independent Recruitment Partner and will be a virtual/on-line solution.
Access to the Virtual Assessment Centre platform will be provided to candidates in advance of their assessment day. Candidates will need to find a quiet, private space to undertake the assessment and will need to be online and on camera for the duration of the assessment event using a stable internet connection.
It is our intention that suitable applicants who perform well at the Assessment Centre, but who fall just short of the required standard for the Graduate Programme, may be offered (Executive Officer) posts in the Department if there are positions available. This is not guaranteed.
Pre-requisites
The assessment platform should be accessed via a PC or laptop. Devices such as tablets or smartphones are not appropriate to undertake this Assessment Centre. Candidates will need the following available on their desktop PC or laptop:
- Camera / Webcam
- Mouse & Keyboard
- Microphone (built-in microphone, a USB microphone or inline microphone on headphones)
- Speaker or Headphones
- Bandwidth requirements: Minimum bandwidth is 600kbps (up/down) and recommended is 1.5 Mbps (up/down). (Candidates can check their Internet bandwidth using Speedtest if unsure: https://www.speedtest.net/)
- Latest version of the Google Chrome browser (Google Chrome is recommended for best experience; however, Microsoft Edge and Safari may also be used)
- Optimal Operating Systems are: Windows 10, macOS 10.12+
Importantly, please note, the platform does not support any browsers or operating systems for which support has been discontinued by the manufacturer such as Windows 7 and Internet Explorer. DCGP will support all candidates to achieve their best. If you require any support or adjustments through the recruitment process to fulfil this, please let us know as soon as possible.
It is anticipated that the Scheme will commence in late September/early October 2024.
There will be no reimbursement for any expenses (where incurred) for the Assessment Centre.
Please note offers of employment are subject to achieving satisfactory pre-employment and security checks. These include an Occupational Health Assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As part of this you will need to confirm your identity, employment/education history, nationality and any criminal record (unspent convictions only).
The level of security needed is Security Check (SC) and you should usually have been continuously resident in the UK for 5 years immediately before clearance action commences. If you have lived overseas or travelled extensively during this period, it may affect the length of time to obtain full security clearance and this may affect your offer of employment. It is essential that ALL requests for information are completed fully and timely, as incomplete information may result in significant delays. Offers of employment are also subject to candidates achieving acceptable grades where predicted.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only. You must be a British National to apply for this role. If you hold a Dual Nationality can still apply and this will not impact your application and assessment in any way. If you are successful you will not be expected to give up your non British Nationality, but as a condition of employment there may be restrictions on your placements and eventual Regrade role. (National Security Exemption, Equalities Act 2010).
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : DefComrcl-ExternalRecruitment@mod.gov.uk
- Email : DefComrcl-ExternalRecruitment@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbscivpers-graduaterecruitment@mod.gov.uk
Further information
Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.
Some of MoDs Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) changed from 3 February 2014. Those TACOS changes applied to Broader Banded and Skill Zone staff who were new recruits to MoD or who were appointed to a post on substantive promotion, progression or advancement. On the same basis, the TACOS for Departmental Retained Grades changed with effect from 01 September 2014.
All employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 18-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.
Following the introduction of the new Government scheme Tax Free Childcare, the Childcare Voucher scheme has now closed to new entrants. Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service on or after 5 October 2018 may have implications on an employees ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You can find out more about Tax Free Childcare at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Complaints
Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS do not play any part in the selection and interview process.
Therefore, if you are dissatisfied in any way with the selection process, you should raise a complaint in accordance with the guidance set out in the Further Information Guidance document attached.
If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint. by writing to DBS at the following address:
Complaints Management Team, Defence Business Services, Oak Building Mail Point #6109, MOD Abbey Wood North, Bristol, BS34 8QW
If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:
Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ
Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk
Cabinet Office Fraud Checks
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 whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment
Civil Service Recruitment Principles
Please see the link below for the civil service recruitment principles.
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/
To find out a bit more about what its like working for MOD, visit the Civil Service Careers Website
https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-ministry-of-defence/
Please see the MOD Privacy Notice link below which describes how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-privacy-notice/mod-privacy-notice
