About the job

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) touches the lives of everyone in the UK in some shape or form, delivering services and support to help people find work, assist with a disability or provide support through their retirement.  As a key part of DWP, the Commercial Directorate (CD) shapes how services are delivered across their 3rd party contractual arrangements; with Digitals current contract spend in the region of £3.2bn with some of the largest industry suppliers.

Making the Difference

Digital Category procure the IT infrastructure, software, hardware, resource and outcome related services and anything further technology-related to support all of the DWP internal and external programmes and services. From buying laptops for DWP staff to supporting UK-wide work capability and health assessments, from data hosting to networks, we help source, procure and manage the Digital technology that underpins DWP’s vital services. We work closely with our Digital colleagues, providing the commercial support and guidance to aid Digital colleagues achieve their outcomes.

What you can expect

If you like to be challenged, you’ll feel at home with us in CD as we’re one of the largest Government Commercial functions, with stretching challenges and opportunities created by using latest Digital innovations to build on our reputation for pushing the Governments agenda in making a difference to the lives of our customers.

Job description

This exciting opportunity has arisen within one of the two Digital sub-categories below; the Digital and Professional Services team however a reserve list will also be created should  future vacancies arise.

• Digital and Professional Services (D&PS) which covers the following Digital business areas:
  
  Digital Resources & Professional Services, Universal Credit, Contemporary Working Age, Shared Platforms, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Platforms & Application Services and Digital Health
  
  
• Digital & Security (D&S) Services which covers the following Digital business areas:
  
  Digital Workplace & Hardware Services, Shared Channels Experience, Hybrid Cloud & Security Services and Enterprise Software & Associated Services.

We require a passionate and dynamic individual who can deliver commercial solutions at pace. You will be required to provide commercial advice, guidance and a proportionate level of leadership within the commercial team and with wider DWP stakeholders across a portfolio of Services in Digital Group, working to challenging time scales; delivering core IT services as well as supporting transformation activities.

You will be pro-active and demonstrate commercial knowledge and understanding of the procurement process and alignment with Cabinet Office Sourcing Playbook and, work in accordance with the DWP commercial operating model. You will be motivated to achieve best value for money by implementing best practice commercial activity.

Commercial Directorate believe in supporting staff development and offer relevant training; all staff are expected to use at least five working days per year on development activities, balancing on the job learning with more traditional training courses.

Person specification

The roles and responsibilities for this position include but are not restricted to:

• Leading commercial activity for specific Digital initiatives across the full commercial end to end lifecycle (pre-market engagement, sourcing, contract, performance and relationship management).
• Developing and maintaining commercial pipelines and plans to ensure continuity of customer Services.
• Undertaking and ensuring robust governance and assurance is conducted to meet audit and compliance requirements across the Department, Cabinet Office, Government Digital Services, Minister and Her Majesties Treasury and ensuring adherence to Government Commercial Operating Standards.
• Identifying opportunities and challenging the market to deliver added value through contracts, such as the achievement of social value initiatives.
• Identifying, contributing to and delivering commercial cost savings playing your part in achieving overarching targets within Digital and collectively in CD.
• Participating in, and driving improvement in, the in-life management of contracts and suppliers.
• Promoting commercial best practice and DWP/Government commercial policies to stakeholders to maximise compliance.
• Maintaining auditable records of commercial activity on our eProcurement solution.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

The application process will involve uploading a tailored CV and personal statement. To be successful, you must demonstrate your experience within your personal statement matching ALL of the essential skills listed below. Further information is available under ‘Application process’.

• Business Acumen & Commercial Judgement
  Demonstrate how you shaped your organisation’s requirements appropriate for the external market including any trades-offs you may have made, including consideration of use of a document such as; evaluation criteria or terms & conditions.
• Technical Commercial Skills
  Provide evidence to show how you have added value to commercial activity, resulting in a better outcome for your organisation. This activity can be from any point in the commercial lifecycle, i.e. understanding needs & sourcing options, the procurement process itself, or in-life contract or supplier management.
• Stakeholder Management / Engagement / Communication
  Demonstrate previous experience of how you’ve worked collaboratively across a range of stakeholders and secured buy-in using appropriate communication and influencing skills, preferably in a commercial context.
• Leadership
  Demonstrate how you have previously taken ownership to drive an issue forward within your team, including giving direction and feedback to colleagues that has produced positive results; including how you demonstrated resilience in resolving issues internally and in working with others in the team to manage setbacks.

Benefits

• Annual Leave of 25 days, rising to 30 days, plus all Bank Holidays.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Flexible working arrangements including ability to work remotely and flexi-leave.
• Dedicated training & professional development specific to your role.
• Exclusive access to join sports and social clubs with benefits vouchers.

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.   

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed 

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.  This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

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.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement (maximum of 1250 words). Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your personal statement  should demonstrate how you meet ALL the essential skills as set out in the job description.

Stage 1 assessment - Sift

At sift, we will assess your application by using your CV and personal statement only. To be successful, you must demonstrate your experience matching ALL the essential skills listed in the job advert above.

Please note that you are not required to produce behaviour-based examples in the content of your CV or personal statement. Applications will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and personal statement and entered as one overall score within the results.

Stage 2 Assessment - Interview

If you are successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to a video interview using MS Teams, where your experience against the role requirements will be assessed via questioning and we will also assess you on the behaviours listed above.

Prior to Interview

Once you have received notification of success at the sift stage, it is important that you download MS Teams to either a laptop, tablet or personal computer.

You will need to select a date and time for your video interview from an online list. Providing you have already supplied your personal email address, you will then receive an invitation for your selected date and time, along with a link to the MS Teams interview session.

Prior to your interview you will be required to provide copies of relevant documents to confirm your ID. These documents should either be scanned, or photographed using a smart phone, and emailed to the person issuing the invitation to interview, no later than 24hrs before your interview. Validation Further instructions will be provided in the interview invitation. 

Indicative Timeline

Please note that the following dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these time frames, please let us know in your application.

• Sifting Panel: Week commencing 29th January 2024.
• Final Panel Interviews: Week commencing 19th February 2024.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location.

Any move to DWP 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.

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.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

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

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.