About the job

Job summary

The UKHO is reliant on a global distribution channel to provide Admiralty products and services to the navigation market, and with the increase in use of digital data and services in existing (navigation) and adjacent markets, now more than ever we need to ensure that our end users and partners within our routes to markets are strategically central to decision making and operationally supported to a high level. 

This role is responsible for the global route to market framework for Admiralty products, services and data into existing SOLAS and adjacent markets. The post holder will be accountable for the ongoing recruitment, onboarding, and contractual management of commercial partners and arrangements for UK Government departments; the creation, maintenance and provision of key policies in reaction to geopolitical events and incidents affecting commercial partners. 

Supported by the Channel Executive and Channel Assistant, the successful applicant will be accountable for the day-to-day running and management of the commercial partners in our SOLAS and adjacent markets; and supported by the Distributor Audit Manager, accountable for ensuring physical product quality and contractual standards are maintained.

The successful candidate will enjoy working in a customer focussed, fast-paced environment with a high level of responsibility and autonomy as part of a committed and skilled supportive team.

 

Hybrid working 

This is a high profile and important role that requires constant in-person and virtual interaction with a wide range of stakeholders. In order to build rapport and learn effectively, there is a requirement for the post-holder to be in the office for at least four days a week for the first three months. After that, a reduction to 3 days a week will be considered.

This role may include travel/deploy both in the UK and Abroad. All work undertaken outside of the UK is covered by our overseas business travel procedures. Please note UKHO does not permit working outside of the UK for non-business reasons. 

Job description

• The post holder will be responsible for the management of agreements and contractual breaches, the maintenance and provision of key business policies and processes, including those to manage reactive incidents as well as governance to ensure that all commercial partners are meeting their legal contractual obligations and that professionalism is always maintained.
• Accountable for the recruitment, onboarding and contractual management of new commercial partners
• Accountable for an annual communication and engagement plan covering the delivery of coordinated internal and external activity, including commercial partners and trade bodies
• Responsible for the management of commercial partner programmes that support shared business
• Accountable for [non-technical elements of] the POD Service, ensuring key processes and governance of legal and safety obligations are adhered to
• Responsible for creating contractual governance, including the maintenance and creation of new commercial agreements and arrangements for UK Government departments
• Consulted as a subject Matter Expert who is called upon to advise and inform strategic decision making and provide cover for the Head of Channel during absence

Person specification

• Excellent communication skills including written, verbal, and presentational
• Experience of customer management in an international business to business role
• Experience of contract management
• Experience in the delivery of a quality service to customers
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines with multiple projects.
• Highly self-motivated and results driven.
• An understanding of how cultural differences can impact in a business environment.
• Fully computer literate and numerate including a intermediate level of experience in Microsoft Office tools

Benefits

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.  

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.  

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details. 

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:  

Please anonymise and attach your CV along with a supporting statement of no longer than 500 words demonstrating your experience of the shortlist criteria below by clicking "apply now" at the bottom of this page. 

Timeline:  

• Advert Closes for applications:  05/03/2024

• Shortlisting: 12/03/2024
• Interviews: 21/03/2024

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

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:  

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria: 

• Experience of customer management in an international business to business role
• Experience of contract management
• Experience in the delivery of a quality service to customers

Lead Criteria:

In the event of a large number of applications or a tie at interview we will Pre-Sift and or Tie-Break on your Experience of Contract Management.

Interview Criteria:  

You will be interviewed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours: 

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)  

Process:   

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information) 
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last approx. 45 mins 

Onboarding Checks:  

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms. 

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship. 

Residency Requirements:

BPSS – non reserved: This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and is open to UK, British Commonwealth, and European Economic Area nationals. Successful applicants will be required to pass the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and will therefore need to provide evidence if they have resided outside of the UK for a period of 6 months or longer within the last 3 years. This is not a bar to employment, but a successful applicant will be required to provide sufficient evidence to allow the UKHO to conduct meaningful background checks. Please contact the recruitment team on the email address below if you have any concerns regarding this. 

Eligibility 

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities. 

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.