About the job

Job summary

National: £25,976 - £30,264

Outer London: £27,722 - £32,505

Inner London: £29,737 - £34,453

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats.   

This role sits within UKHSA’s award winning Commercial Directorate, which played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Truly dynamic, our teams operate at significant pace in a commercially complex environment to procure a diverse range of goods and services in a highly competitive global market.     

UKHSA’s Commercial teams continue to play a central role in priority activity, supporting the response to health threats such as Mpox (Monkeypox) and Strep A as they occur, and ensuring a resilient infrastructure to secure the UK in the strongest position to protect the public from future threats to health.    

The Science category supports a wide range of stakeholders and business needs, including:

• Laboratory Services, Research and Surveillance
• New Testing and Testing Innovation
• Laboratory Equipment and Maintenance
• Extraction and Diagnostics
  
  

As an Executive Officer within the Commercial team you will be a key part of a wider team, providing commercial support to a range of activities.   

Role will include:

• Working closely with Senior colleagues supporting all aspects of the Commercial objectives.
• Supporting team members, stakeholder's and suppliers to deliver high quality commercial solutions for the UKHSA.
• Supporting specific portfolio of sourcing / tenders / contracts as well as other projects.
• Supporting supplier performance and commercial meetings to ensure contract obligations are met and additional value is achieved. Following up and dealing with queries, questions and issues across the portfolio of work.
• Delivering cashable and non-cashable savings for the team through your portfolio of work and delivering social value through your contracts.
• Manage the commercial pipeline on behalf of the team.
• Triage new requests and queries from the business through a centralised mailbox.
  

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.

• Role available at all core and scientific locations with home working available (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down, Colindale, Chilton)

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

Office attendance will be increasing to 60% in the New Year (3 days out of 5) in line with the most recent UK Govt. directive on office attendance for Civil Servants.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working.

Job description

As a Commercial Business Support you will have a range of responsibilities which could include the below:

• Supporting Commercial Officers / Commercial Managers with supplier relationship and contract management by co-ordinating supplier meetings, contract reviews and stakeholder relations.
• Run competition exercises using the e-tendering portal (Atamis), including direct awards, obtaining quotations, use of frameworks, open market competitions.
• Use the full functionality of the e-sourcing relevant platforms and templates to ensure standardised administration and procedures to support. Commercial Officers / Commercial Managers. This can include carrying out analysis to provide commercial insight for contract managers and publishing notices, undertaking tenders and contract management in specific product / service areas.
• Provide support and information for the savings delivery initiatives and for the category Team.
• Seek value for money in all procurement activity, whilst adhering to Public Sector Regulations and Cabinet Office Directives.
• Ensure that all purchases comply with current legislative obligations, UK Health Security Agency’s Purchasing Policy and Standing Financial Instructions and are in accordance with Cabinet Office/ Department of Health and Social Care requirements.
• Advise end users on the contracting / ordering process, procurement controls and regulations, providing appropriate contact point information as necessary.
• Respond and resolve supplier and end user queries.
• Collect and collate business data as required to provide information for management reports.
• Undertake data analysis for Commercial Officers / Commercial Manager, presenting data with analysis and proposals.
• Undertake all procurement related administrative tasks, including processing of requisitions and orders on Purchase to Pay (P2P) Oracle system as well as Atamis and Bravo.
• Posting on Contracts Finder Notices, providing cover for colleagues.
• Leading on Risk and Issue Management for teams.
• Leading on the maintenance of procurement pipelines and data quality across the Category Teams.
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, finance teams, other government departments through effective communication and stakeholder management.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Good communication, written and verbal and stakeholder management skills. Able to communicate processes and complex information effectively at all levels.
• Good organisational, time management and administrative skills.
• Analytical skills – ability to analyse, interpret and present information using various data sources, able to set up spreadsheets and undertaking data analysis with recommendations, highlighting key issues.
• Evidence of delivering to deadlines in a fast paced and ever-changing environment with conflicting priorities.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
• Minimum of 2 A Levels or NVQ 3 plus GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or Equivalent in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a commercial role or involvement in procurement or contract management.
• Basic practical experience of using Finance / Purchasing systems e.g. Oracle, Bravo, Atamis and other similar systems.
• Awareness of public sector procurement legislation.

Willingness and eagerness to join a newly formed team and support health security and public health.

Benefits

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA 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 Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.  Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

1. Changing & Improving
2. Making Effective Decisions
3. Working Together
4. Managing a Quality Service
5. Delivering at Pace

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 7th January 2023 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: TBC 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Eligibility Criteria

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.  People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website. 

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.