About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Contract Manager

Location: National*

Closing Date: 06 February 2024

Interviews: From 20 February 2024

Grade: SEO

(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)

Salary: London: £45,824 - £50,039; National: £39,868 - £43,535

Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working

Contract Type: Permanent

*We are currently offering hybrid working which includes 2 days per week in your local office. Office locations can be found HERE

The Role

We’re recruiting for a Contract Manager here at Justice Digital, to be part of our warm and collaborative Strategy & Operations team.

These are exciting times at Justice Digital. We have a clear vision to develop a digitally enabled justice system that works more simply for users, and we’re looking for talented people to help us achieve it.

We are making things better by building adaptable, effective services and making systems that are simple to use for staff and citizens. It can be challenging but it’s also important and rewarding.

The design, delivery, and support of Digital, Data, & Technology services is heavily dependent on collaboration between the MoJ and members of its extensive supplier ecosystem. On behalf of the wider MoJ organisation, Justice Digital invest over £360m per annum in supplier capability and solutions – many of which are critical to the operation of MoJ.

The contract management team exists to ensure that the money spent with suppliers is well managed. The team ensures that all contracts are established based on the best information available and managed for long-term value, while facilitating the development and maintenance of longer-term strategic partnerships.

To help picture your life at MoJ Justice Digital please take a look at our blog and our Digital and Technology strategy 2025

Key Responsibilities:

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities, which are dependent on the type of supplier(s) involved;

Leading end to end contract and supplier management (CSM) activity for the assigned contract(s). Dependant on the supplier / contract classification to include;

Working with colleagues from Commercial and across Justice Digital to implement and mobilise new contracts and support transition and exit activity.

• Establishing governance to support effective management of the contract and the overall supplier relationship;

• Leading key contract and supplier management meetings, ensuring they meet the specified objectives and deliver value;

• Establishing clear roles & responsibilities to support effective management of the contract and supplier relationship;

• Become the Justice Digital contract SME for the portfolio of contracts;

• Supporting creation and execution of mobilisation, transition and exit plans.

Leading contract and supplier performance management.

• Developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) specific to the contract and supplier which align to MoJ strategic objectives;

• Managing the contract and supplier performance management activity, including reporting, communication, and the delivery of joint improvement plans with the supplier, where applicable.

Ensuring risks and issues are effectively managed.

• Supporting identification and effective management of contract and supplier risk and own mitigating actions as required;

• Supporting conflict and issue resolution with suppliers and stakeholders, seeking support from the Senior Contract Manager where appropriate;

• Managing communication or escalation of issues from stakeholders;

• Ensuring compliance with governance, legislative and policy requirements as appropriate.

Work with colleagues from Commercial and Justice Digital to ensure contracts are administered effectively;

• Supporting on-time and accurate supplier payment in line with the contracted processes, providing operational data and approvals as required;

• Contract administration, including supporting the development of contract variations, Requests For Service (RFS) and other contract mechanisms;

• Managing the contract pipeline, management of data systems and records, facilitating new procurement activity.

Embedding Cabinet Office’s Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) approach at both supplier and contract level;

• Developing the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategy;

• Leading the creation of a joint business plan;

• Leading supplier development improvement projects with the supplier, to increase service performance deliver value for money, and release additional joint value;

• Using business acumen and market insight to identify and deliver opportunities which result in improved service performance, value for money, and release additional joint value;

• Facilitating 360 degree feedback across the MoJ and the supplier, and managing the resulting joint improvement plan;

• Leading on collaborative service and value enhancement opportunities, working with other government departments where applicable;

• Stimulating and delivering supplier innovation, which directly support Justice Digital and wider MoJ strategic objectives.

If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!

Person Specification

Essential

• Relevant contract management, procurement, or commercial related qualification such as CIPs, World CC (formerly IACCM) or Contract Management Capability Programme accreditation).

• Thorough knowledge of contract and supplier management best practice

• Have demonstrable experience of managing contracts and supplier relationships across a broad range of services

• Strong commercial acumen and ability to show evidence-based decision making

• In depth knowledge and experience of negotiating with suppliers and stakeholders to achieve satisfactory outcomes

• Analysing performance data and identifying value optimisation, service improvement and innovation opportunities

Willingness to be assessed against  the requirements for BPSS clearance

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate on the basis of culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.

Person specification

Please refer to attached Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,868, Ministry of Justice contributes £10,804 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

How to Apply

Candidates must submit a CV and Cover Letter which describes how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification above.

In Justice Digital, we recruit using a combination of the Digital, Data and Technology Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We will assess your Experience, Technical Skills and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:

• Changing & Improving

• Communicating & Influencing

• Making Effective Decisions

• Managing a Quality Service

Your application will be reviewed against the Person Specification above by a diverse panel.

Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-hour panel interview held via video conference.

Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on qualification status will be conducted prior to the sift.

Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for, but demonstrated the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and potentially offer you the position without the need for a further application.

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

Terms & Conditions

Please review our Terms & Conditions which set out the way we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact recruitment@digital.justice.gov.uk

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.