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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Type of role
Procurement and Contracts Management
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Number of jobs available
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About the job
Job summary
Strategic Command is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Strategic Command Commercial Team work closely with their military and civilian colleagues to deliver innovative commercial solutions that help MOD deliver its objectives. The Commercial team play a vital role in supporting the MOD in procuring and managing a diverse portfolio of requirements ranging in value and complexity from long term commitments to low value short term contracts, and we work with a wide and varied range of suppliers. The Strategic Command Commercial Team is comprised of around 100 qualified commercial personnel who work across several UK locations, there are also a few overseas locations. The Team place around 200 contracts a year and manage a portfolio worth a total of £4.5bn.
Strategic Command Commercial have embarked on an ambitious change programme to improve the way we work with the MOD project teams, how we interact with our commercial colleagues across defence and the wider Government Commercial Function, all with the objective of improving what and how we deliver for the MOD.
One of our key objectives within this change programme is to grow our commercial capability through an internal Trainee Programme. In Strategic Command Commercial you will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience. We employ talented people who challenge and aim to operate best in class commercial practices.
As a Commercial Trainee you will be part of this team, and through a structured programme you will develop your commercial skills whilst experiencing a diversity of activity that is unique to Strategic Command Commercial. You will undertake training and development that includes gaining the internationally recognised procurement qualification issued by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). The commercial team believes strongly in training and development, which will continue beyond the end of the Commercial Trainee programme as your career advances in MOD Commercial.
This is a hugely exciting time to be joining Strategic Command Commercial and starting your Commercial career in the MOD. You will have the opportunity to be involved in truly important work that enables the MOD to deliver critical outputs on a day-to-day basis, whilst also developing your commercial skills within the largest commercial community in the UK.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The role is a junior commercial officer, and during the programme you will have a range of development placements within Strategic Command Commercial. You will develop your commercial skills as well as wider competences such as communication and management through a mix of formal training, on the job learning as well as through coaching and mentoring.
These roles may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
It is anticipated that there will be a four-week induction, where candidates will be required to attend. This will be held at The Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Wiltshire. Travel and subsistence will be reimbursed for those not based in Swindon.
Person specification
As well as on-the-job training, you must attend commercial training courses and study for a Level 4 Professional Qualification with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). The qualification takes around 12 months to complete and although you will be given time to attend tutorials and prepare for assessments, an element of self-study will be required in your own time.
You will be responsible for supporting commercial activities in your placements across the entire procurement cycle and, after training and qualification, you may be awarded a commercial licence. This is subject to completion of CIPS Level 4 and passing a Commercial Licencing and Accreditation Panel. The Commercial Licence permits you to hold a commercial delegation that allows you to sign contracts up to £50,000 at which point you will become eligible for an additional £1,500 skills allowance per annum. This is reliant on passing the trainee programme.
Key activities will include:
- Providing administrative support to the commercial teams.
- Supporting the procurements with activity such as market engagement, developing procurement strategies, supporting negotiations, evaluating tenders and drafting contractual documentation.
- Undertaking contract management actions such as contract administration, processing payments, monitoring supplier performance and managing supplier relationships.
- Researching MOD procurement policy updates to ensure compliance with current regulations/legislation.
- Providing commercial advice and guidance to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Candidates must be enthusiastic, strong team players, self-motivated and show a willingness to learn.
Candidates must be willing to study for CIPS Level 4 qualification (if not already held) and be prepared to undertake some study outside of work.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£6,144 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
UKStratCom Commercial is passionate about delivering excellent commercial outcomes for our customers but we also understand you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities, and our industry leading flexible workings practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life. We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other whilst providing a culture of inclusion and diversity.
Some of the many benefits you will receive in the Civil Service include:
- Access to learning and development tailored to your role.
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years service
- Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year
- In addition to eight public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The Kings birthday
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing
- Most sites have good travel links with free car parking, on-site childcare facilities, subsidised Gym facilities and an active social organisation.
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.
Posts based in London will attract the relevant London weighting.
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 by 31st December 2022. 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.
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.
Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
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/.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1 – Application
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide evidence against the behaviours details in the Behaviours section.
Your evidence should be presented in the STAR (Situation/Task/Action/Result) format.
Candidates will be required to complete an online numerical, verbal test and Civil Service Judgement test.
The Civil Service Judgement Test is not bankable and therefore must be taken on every vacancy where it is applied.
Should you be invited to complete the online tests, please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking Submit Application. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The tests are not timed, as they work by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for each test, and each test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information.
Candidates that reach the minimum required pass mark will have their results saved as a banked score against the following tests:
New Civil Service Verbal Test
New Civil Service Numerical Test
When a candidate has a banked score, theyre not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6-month period from the date of test completion. If a candidate is invited to take the same test against multiple vacancies, the banked score will be recognised against all vacancies and all active applications will progress.
CSJT scores cannot be banked as each test is generated from the behaviours required for a specific role which will vary between recruitment campaigns.
If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test.
Opening times Mon – Friday 0800 – 1600 hrs.
Stage 2 Sift
We will sift all applications week commencing 21/08/2023. Depending on the volume of applications, these dates may be subject to change.
Stage 3 Interviews
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be invited to undertake a single virtual video interview which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and will take around 60 minutes. During the interview we will be asking questions to assess you against the Civil Service Behaviours. Candidates will also be required to deliver a 5-minute presentation on ‘ A significant purchase you have made’.
Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 04/09/2023 following security clearance and onboarding. These dates may be subject to change depending on the volume of candidates we have to interview and the Security Clearance process.
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.
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
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.
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 : UKStratCom Comrcl Business Management Team
- Email : ukstratcom-comrcl-busmgt@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
