About the job

Job summary

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. 

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the realm of contract management? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you. 

The Contract Management Team (CMT) provides APHA with expertise to ensure the Agency robustly manages its external contracts throughout the contract lifecycle, from contract design, to procurement, to ongoing operational and performance management, and regular review.

CMT is essentially an enabling team, working alongside and with operational/technical leads from business areas across the Agency to commission and facilitate new procurements, support the ongoing management of contracts, and provide assurance to APHA’s leadership team. The team ensures that all contracts deliver upon service requirements, adhere to terms and conditions, and are managed commercially to extract maximum value for money.  

The Agency’s contract portfolio includes circa 180 ongoing contracts and frameworks, equating to over £900 million lifetime value.

The team manages APHA’s relationship with Defra Group Commercial, Crown Commercial Service, the Cabinet Office and Defra Legal for all contractual matters. CMT also directly manages APHA’s use of Defra-wide and cross-Government contracts and frameworks, including the liaison with Defra Group Fleet Services for the Agency’s lease car scheme, and the Agency’s GPC policy and associated management.

CMT holds strategic responsibility for APHA’s relationship with all external suppliers, sets the standard for contract management and commercial behaviours across the Agency, and ensures efficient and effective management throughout the contract lifecycle.

CMT is a friendly, close-knit and dedicated team with a culture of mutual support across all levels. Everyone works with independence, initiative and empowerment, but also with a keenness to support one another with whatever range of challenges arise.

Job description

The role involves a high degree of co-ordination across internal business areas, other Government organisations, external suppliers and other stakeholders, providing professional contract management and commercial advice to senior leaders across APHA. APHA’s contract requirements are frequently highly complex and sensitive in nature, working with specialised supplier markets where there may be few providers and a high degree of interdependency with suppliers.

Contract Managers will:

• Deputise for the Head or Deputy Head of Contract Management and contribute to the overall management and performance of the CMT
• Manage a defined portfolio of contracts in partnership with operational/technical leads within business areas across the Agency, ensuring contractual risks and issues are carefully managed and mitigated, successful operational and financial performance, and ensuring overall contract compliance is monitored and reported on effectively
• Facilitate new procurement activity and contract changes within your portfolio, working with Defra Group Commercial to agree appropriate ‘routes to market’ and input to procurement strategies
• Implement best practice contract management and commercial approach across APHA, aligned with Cabinet Office and Defra policies and guidance
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with both external suppliers, internal operational / technical leads, Defra Group Commercial teams and other stakeholders, acting as a senior level interface
• During a disease outbreak or other emergency situation, the whole of CMT is expected to work with operational leads and external suppliers to support the Agency’s response, including the need for out-of-hours working

Person specification

It is important that, through your CV and Personal Statement, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the selection criteria listed.

A proven track record of:

• Experience of working within a contract management or related environment in a large complex organisation, preferably within the public sector, and with an understanding of contract management principals and relevant legislation
• In depth knowledge and demonstrable experience of managing and negotiating with a diverse range of suppliers, customer engagement techniques and performance management of suppliers
• Ability to positively influence internal and external customers at all levels
• Experience of managing projects with complex deliverables and working in diverse teams of colleagues
• Highly capable communicator and influencer, able to develop strong and meaningful relationships with internal and external partners
• Demonstrable commitment towards relevant continuous professional development

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,648 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

Application Process

The application system will prompt you to include details of:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities & achievements. Please ensure you provide reasons for any gaps within the last 2 years
2. A Personal Statement, no longer than 1,250 words, explaining how you consider your person skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria described in this Candidate Information Pack

Please ensure that both your CV and your Personal Statement are free of any identifying information – this will be captured through the online portal, whilst ensuring applications can be considered anonymously.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Sift and interview dates can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a Face-to-Face in person interview (in either York, Weybridge or Worcester) where you will be assessed on experience. The interview will involve a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience against the criteria set out in the Role Requirements. As part of the interview, we will ask you to prepare and present a short presentation and will confirm the topic in the interview invitation.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in an APHA workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

The successful candidate for the permanent role will be based at Sand Hutton, York. As part of the pre-employment process the successful candidate for the Foxed-Term Appointment post will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert e.g. Worcester or Weybridge. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Reserve List

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

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary 

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

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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 defrarecruitment.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.

Accessibility

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

Criminal Record Check

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.

Internal Fraud Database Check

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.

Fixed-Term Appointments

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

1 of the posts is being offered on a permanent basis and 1 post is being offered as a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA).

The FTA as a Contract Manager on the Contract Management Team is because the post is not permanent but is time-limited due to a fixed funding period. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires. Your responsibilities will include those shown on the Responsibilities section of the advert.

This post will therefore begin from the agreed start date and end on 31/03/2025.

Higher Security Clearance 

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. 

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Further Information

Induction

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. New Joiners to the organisation will attend an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.

Support and Training

All successful candidates will be provided with an extensive programme of training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA. 

APHA appreciates the varying level of experiences and skills successful candidates will hold on joining the agency. Training material is designed to ensure all new entrants, to APHA, build suitable confidence and competencies to deliver the work.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. 

We have strong staff networks covering mental health, disability, and other needs. We also have a range of special leave policies and will put reasonable adjustments in place for people who need them. The department places significant emphasis on talent programmes that help everyone to achieve their full potential. The Civil Service is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. Support available includes a bullying and harassment network and mediation services. 
 
Encouraging diverse applicants

The natural environment is important for everyone, and we aim for our teams to reflect the diversity of our society. We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups. Your personal qualities will be as important as your professional experience, and we welcome applications from all ethnicities, faiths, and backgrounds.  

We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status. 

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.