About the job

Job summary

National Location: £38,724 - £44,393

Outer London Location: £40,721 - £46,231

Inner London Location: £42,716 - £48,068

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. We provide intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure.

Our commercial teams helps UKHSA to run its health programmes. We procure, store and distribute vaccines for national immunisation campaigns and materials for use in the event of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. We procure goods and services and maintain, improve and transform estate critical infrastructure. Truly dynamic, our teams operate at significant pace in a commercially complex environment to procure an unprecedented 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. 

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

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

Job description

We are looking for Commercial Managers to join our team at UK Health Security Agency. These roles will play an important part in supporting the Commercial team to deliver a range of commercial solutions to meet the diverse needs of business stakeholders. The post holders will have proven experience of working within a similar environment and will have experience of procuring products or services. This is very much a commercial delivery role shaping and delivering commercial solutions.

As Commercial Manager, you will be the lead on a range of commercial activities. This is a dynamic and challenging environment, and the post holder will need to be confident in managing complexity, applying judgement, and making decisions whilst collaborating effectively with other members of the team and across the organisation. Being comfortable in a highly ambiguous environment will be vital to success.

Your role will include but not be limited to:

• Leading a small team
• Delivering commercial solutions, being accountable for ensuring delivery to time and budget, in line with best practice
• Developing sourcing, contract management and category strategies
• Providing commercial advice to senior stakeholders as a business partnering function
• Managing competition exercises using the e-tendering portal (Atamis), including mini competitions, open competitions and if necessary direct awards or single tenders
• Leading on elements of contract and supplier management, using e-solutions to record contracts and manage contract changes
• Driving continuous improvement across categories and supplier contracts
• Comprehensive drafting of commercial documents, including tenders, contracts and contract change notes. Working closely with finance and legal partners where necessary
• Analysis of markets, suppliers and conducting due diligence, working with subject matter experts where necessary
• Leading on drafting business case documentation with commercial content, ensuring compliance with necessary approvals, working closely with stakeholders
• Development and reporting of Key Performance Indicators on progress status, issues and risks
• Publishing notices and opportunities in line with expected timescales, including redacted contracts
• Leading on the full compliance of data and data entry to ensure reporting is robust and accurate
• Ensuring all commercial activity is compliant with legislative obligation, UKHSA Standing Financial Instructions and Government best practice

Our Commercial teams help UKHSA to run its health programmes. We procure, store and distribute vaccines for national immunisation campaigns and materials for use in the event of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. We procure goods and services and maintain, improve and transform estate critical infrastructure.

Our Commercial teams deliver strategic and operational activities across the end-to-end commercial cycle, supporting early supplier engagement, understanding and tracking markets, right through to contract management. We influence the strategy and decisions being made, working with scientific and academic stakeholders as well as putting in place vital contracts that keep us operating as an organisation. Within the team, we also have business development expertise and a vaccine and countermeasures team making this a truly exciting commercial team to join.

We are currently recruiting for Commercial Managers to join our busy team. You will be the lead on a range of commercial activities. These roles could give you exposure to commercial work in any of the following areas:  

• Vaccines and Medical Countermeasures
• Science
• Workforce & Corporate
• Commercial Programmes

This is a dynamic and challenging environment, and the post holder will need to be confident in managing complexity, applying judgement, and making decisions whilst collaborating effectively with other members of the team and across the organisation.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Certain UKHSA roles require national security clearance.

To meet National Security Vetting requirements you will need to have resided in the UK for at a minimum 3 out of the past 5 years for SC clearance. You will still be considered if you were posted abroad as part of your service with the British Government or the British Military during this period.

• Experience working in procurement or contract management, delivering complex commercial solutions
• Knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and commercial principles
• Experience of procuring goods and services
• Evidence of delivering to deadlines in a fast paced and ever-changing environment with conflicting priorities
• Evidence of strong stakeholder management skills
• Evidence of working to high standards and maintaining a high level of accuracy

Desirable Criteria:

• Working towards or having achieved CIPS/IAACM or a similar qualification
• Experience of managing small teams (1-3 people)
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders

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)

• 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 full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – 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:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making effective decisions
• Developing Self and Others

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

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 5th July 2024 – 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

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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. Certain UKHSA roles require national security clearance.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.