About the job

Job summary

Are you looking for a contract management role where you can make a real difference in the delivery of critical aviation services?

Are you a self-driven and proactive individual who enjoys working in a dynamic environment?

Can you build solid working relationships with internal and external stakeholders?

If so, we are looking for a Contract Manager to join our Aviation Commercial Team at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we'd like to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.   

Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.   

Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.  

We welcome applications from all communities, and we don’t discriminate against any identity. We’re interested to hear from you, regardless of your background.   

Job description

The role sits within the Aviation Team, which is part of the Directorate of His Majesty’s Coastguard. The Aviation Team is responsible for the procurement and in service management of HM Coastguard’s aviation services, which includes search and rescue, surveillance and pollution response.

HM Coastguard has responsibility for the six internationally recognized functions of, Maritime Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, Vessel Traffic Monitoring, Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Accident and Disaster Response. The directorate is also responsible for delivery of the Receiver of Wreck Function.

As the Aviation Contracts Manager, your main responsibility will be the delivery of all commercial outcomes on current and future aviation contracts, ensuring that robust processes are in place to manage supplier performance and safeguard the delivery of critical services.

As part of your role, you will continuously oversee, review, and approve governance and reporting processes between the suppliers and HM Coastguard. You will also have lots of engagement with the wider MCA stakeholders and other government departments to ensure that service delivery issues are identified and resolved.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and motivated individual to join us in our dedicated team at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. This is a varied role, where you will be working and managing contracts to deliver essential aviation services across the UK.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage the performance of the services provided to the MCA under the aviation contracts, ensuring the appropriate remedies are used to reflect any performance issues.
• Develop effective working relationships with both service providers and stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and value for money in respect of how the services are delivered.
• Provide leadership and support to the Deputy Aviation Contracts Manager and Aviation Supplier Performance Manager in their monitoring of aviation supplier performance and the rectification of any ongoing service delivery issues.
• Provide research, analysis and drafting support to assist the Aviation Commercial Managers in the development and creation of procurement documentation, including, but not limited to, key performance indicators, market consultations, contractual clauses, tenders and business cases.

For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.  

Person specification

About You 

We are looking for someone who has experience of managing a service delivery contract, including monitoring supplier performance and reviewing the terms of contracts and/or Service Level Agreements.

You will have a sound understanding of commercial and/or procurement processes, with the confidence to lead, influence and negotiate with stakeholders, in particular contractors.

You will have experience of collaborating with other organisations to drive improved value for money in the delivery of contracted services.

You are a natural problem solver and lookout for ways to make improvements. You are not afraid of a challenge and enjoy an environment that encourages you to think outside the box.

Additional Information 

This role will be based in the Southampton HQ. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.  

The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager. 

There may be a requirement for occasional travel on official duty within the UK. Notice will be given prior to travel.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure

Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to Apply   

CV and Personal Statement:   

Within your CV and personal statement please demonstrate your knowledge and experience of:   

• Managing a service delivery contract including monitoring supplier performance and reviewing the terms of contracts and/or Service Level Agreements.
• Managing commercial contracts including contractor negotiation.

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1,000 words.  

It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.   

Sift and Interview Dates: 

The sift is due to take place on 8th & 9th January 2024.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from 22nd January 2024.

This interview will be conducted face to face at our Southampton office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.  

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.  

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:  

• An interview.
• A presentation.

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

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’s 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.