About the job

Job summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.  

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 10 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women’s Network Group. 

We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, though our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.  

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career. 

About the agency

We are a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors. More information can be found here.

About the Directorate 

The Finance, Commercial, Sustainability & Property Directorate is responsible for managing both the Insolvency Service’s finances and for all commercial related activities.  We are a close-knit directorate, committed to supporting the agency’s operational business and objectives as well as its estates, sustainability and health & safety remit.

Job description

About the Team

The Commercial Team is a small team of dedicated and highly competent commercial professionals, performing at an exceptionally high level and dispersed nationally across the Insolvency estate.  The team works on a flexible working basis, with a mix of remote and office-based working. The Commercial Team is embedded within the Government Commercial Function applying the Government Commercial Operating Standards, working in accordance with the People Standards for the Commercial profession and undertaking the Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework.

The Commercial team at INSS is currently expanding to meet the exciting challenges across the Sourcing Pipeline, Contract Management landscape, Transforming Public Procurement and to drive best practice against the Commercial Function Standards. Any candidate who passes the interview but is unsuccessful in being offered this role, may be considered via the Reserve List for one of the other Commercial roles currently being recruited into.

We operate a Category Management approach within our Commercial Team, consisting of 4 Category Teams; Digital & Data category, Technology & Change category, Corporate Services & Operations category and Commercial Governance & Policy category. As such we are responsible for a whole lifecycle approach to commercial activities.  This may include leading a requirement from inception, through the Commercial sourcing cycle, mobilisation and contract management, through to Exit and Transition.

Within the Commercial Team at the Insolvency Service, we believe there are huge benefits to working within a small team.  We are able to give our Procurement and Contracts Managers (Commercial Business Partners) access to complex and strategic work which enables them to demonstrate their abilities and take on extra responsibility more than other roles.  This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that our leavers nearly always leave on promotion!

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to begin a career within the Commercial Function across Government, providing the relevant exposure for on-the-job training as well as a significant investment in technical training. This is the first step into a rewarding and exciting career within Government Commercial and will suit an individual with the motivation to develop and progress within the Government Commercial Function.

The Insolvency Service is committed to developing its in-house capability, with a view to the future and a clear career path and development beyond this apprenticeship.

We are looking for one individual with a desire to develop a career in the Commercial function. The individual will have a desire to drive best Commercial practice across the organisation to ensure value for money by strengthening and developing our Commercial Category capability and delivering excellence in supporting a broad range of contracts and projects in our portfolio.

This is a Commercial Apprenticeship, through which the successful applicant will become competent in the whole procurement lifecycle including sourcing, negotiating, managing commercial risk, contract management and dealing with complex commercial problems.

Responsibilities

This role primarily sits within our Digital & Data Category team, the team which is responsible for commercial sourcing and contract management supporting the delivery of IT-related services specific to our operational teams, such as the delivery and development of the agency’s case management system (CMS), key Customer Digital Services such as the Debt Relief Orders, Redundancy Payments and Breathing Space services as well as managing licensing and applications development and integrations for our operational colleagues’ Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software solutions.

Reporting to one of the C2 (SEO) Commercial Business Partners, you will complete your formal Apprenticeship alongside practical on the job training & experience. You will do this through a number of 6-month placements across the Commercial Apprenticeship roles which exist within each of our Category teams. This will give you a wide breadth of skills and experience to support with completion of your Apprenticeship and set you on a commercial career path.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work across the organisation and support the underpinning strategies to improve our services to the public and the country, by providing commercial insight and expertise.

Person specification

Candidates should note that in addition to the behaviours requirements, selection will reflect the requirements of the GCF People Standards for the Commercial Profession.

Knowledge, experience and skills:

• Experience in Procurement ‘buying’ or contracts beneficial but not mandatory
• CIPS Level 3 (or equivalent) – Not Required but advantageous
• Able to work successfully with a range of internal and external people/stakeholders building strong relationships
• Highly organised and can deal with multiple requests/priorities (adaptable), often with competing deadlines
• Clear in communicating findings to technical and non-technical individuals
• Able to Identify and drive savings and efficiencies, and delivering against performance targets (analytical);
• A conscientious (disciplined) professional, astute and aware of the context of their work, particularly around risks and opportunities.
• Someone who is willing to share experiences and knowledge with colleagues, to the benefit of the wider commercial team and the agency as a whole.
• Keen to “make a difference” to the agency. Our expertise and advice directly shapes the strategy and operating models of the Insolvency Service.;
• An interest in digital development and/or technology would be welcomed

Essential Criteria

• 5 GCSEs including English Language and Mathematics grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent)
• Commitment to completion of CIPS Level 4 during the apprenticeship and full MCIPS beyond the Apprenticeship period (details on the components of the Apprenticeship are detailed below)

Components of the Apprenticeship

• CIPS Level 4 Qualification - the attainment of Level 4 Diploma with the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply including completion of 8 Exam Modules (CIPS Level 4 consists of 8 modules which are each supported by workshops, online and self-paced learning, giving you the opportunity to apply your learning on-the-job. Each module is assessed via tests taken in exam conditions)
• On the Job Training - During the term of the Apprenticeship, you shall be exposed to roles across the entire Commercial Function, developing your skills and experience within the Commercial Governance and Continuous Improvement Team, the Corporate Services, Digital and Data, and Technology and Software Commercial Category Teams.
• Technical & Professional Training - In addition to the formal Apprenticeship training, the successful applicant will be supported with a minimum of 20% ‘off-the-job learning’ to support their personal and professional development. Throughout the apprenticeship you will have access to training which will develop your personal skills, such as presentation skills, communication skills and assertiveness and decisiveness.
• Regular Support from a Talent Coach - You will also attend formal progress reviews with both a Talent Coach and your Line Manager, influencing your own learning and career development and preparing for the apprenticeship end point assessment.
• Interview – An external end point assessment interview. The interview assesses whether you have successfully met the learning requirements of the programme.

Apprenticeship CIPS Modules (subject to change):

• Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply (L4M1)
• Defining Business Need (L4M2)
• Commercial Contracting (L4M3)
• Ethical and Responsible Sourcing (L4M4)
• Commercial Negotiation (L4M5)
• Supplier Relationships (L4M6)
• Whole Life Asset Management (L4M7)
• Procurement and Supply in Practice (L4M8) 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,842, Insolvency Service contributes £7,787 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV,  750-word personal statement and Behaviours. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words and should explain how your skills and qualities provide evidence of your suitability for the apprenticeship role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

After submission of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and Civil Service Numerical Test 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 13 March 2024.  Please note:  the closing date for the applications is 23:55 11 March 2024.   If you fail to complete your application form, or the online tests, before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website. 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour (Making Effective Decisions). Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

We will test your ability, behaviours and experience as part of the sift process, if successful you will be invited to a short interview where we will test your behaviours and strengths. Full details of the selection process will be made available to shortlisted candidates once the sift has been completed

Expected Timeline (subject to change) 

Sift – W/C 18/03/2024

Interview – W/C 01/04/2024 

Location - MS Teams

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency Services 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

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. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Transforming Workplaces

The Insolvency Service is currently delivering an exciting five-year transformation project that started in April 2022 which will define our future direction supporting a gradual migration to a Regional Centre model combined with smarter ways of working. As part of this, transforming our estate will align us with the government modernisation programmes making The Insolvency Service a great place to work.  

We are letting you know about our future plans because if you are joining the Insolvency Service and are recruited into an office over the next five years that is not one of the Regional Centres, you will be expected to move to one of the Regional Centres in the future. This move would not attract financial assistance.   

The 11 Regional Centres are : Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Edinburgh, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Stratford.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

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 insolvencyrecruitment.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 you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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

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.