About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security? 

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation. 

The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters. 

The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines – known as the Dreadnought Class – and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry.   

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world. 

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

The DNO Commercial Team has staff based in London, Bristol and Reading. These posts will be based in either MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol), AWE Aldermaston (Reading) or MOD Main Building (London) and will require occasional travel between the sites.

DNO Commercial is a dynamic and dedicated team working at the heart of maintaining the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) which deals with complex market forces and monitors the supply chain fragility of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

We conduct every part of the commercial lifecycle from identifying complex requirements to procuring sensitive material to running billion-pound contracts and Category A programmes – the work we undertake is at a highly classified level.

Whilst assessing the supply chain, we look to intervene in the market to protect CASD whether that be nationalising businesses (Atomic Weapons Establishment), acquiring businesses (Sheffield Forgemasters) or ringfencing sensitive capabilities (Ultra Electronics).

Throughout our work we manage a wide range of stakeholders with partners across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise ranging from the Submarine Delivery Agency to the Royal Navy, Babcock, BAE, Atomic Weapons Establishment and Sheffield Forgemasters.

We operate with an annual budget of £6.9BN, working at the heart of government and protecting the UK’s most sensitive national security capabilities.

As a commercial officer within DNO Commercial, responsibilities may include sourcing and handling the delivery of a range of contracts and providing commercial support and assurance of AWE, Sheffield Forgemasters Ltd and the wider supply chain across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The role will involve both sourcing and contract management and successful candidates can have a delegation of up to £2.5M once certain criteria are met.

Successful candidates will already be working in a commercial environment and will be able to demonstrate a blend of strong professional functional skills, including an understanding of procurement principles and practices, supply chain and category management principles, leadership skills, a great customer service and a consistent record to develop and maintain productive working relationships. 

Person specification

Responsibilities may include

• Undertake commercial activities across the procurement lifecycle from pre-market engagement, developing and implementing sourcing strategies, contract management and closure.
• Execution and post award management of contracts through high quality contract management, ensuring key contract artefacts are in place, leading supplier performance and contract change effectively, to ensure ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered.
• Collaborative working with project colleagues to achieve customer requirements
• Deliver effective customer engagement and management within the MOD, other government departments and industry partners
• Using strong financial and commercial analysis to inform evidence-based decision making
• Providing commercial advice and guidance through business partnering
• Promoting continuous commercial improvement across the team.

Qualifications

• CIPS Level 4 or above (or working towards/willingness to work towards to achieve this level within 2 years of joining). Support will be provided in completing the Level 4 CIPS qualification with MOD funding and time allocation. 

Development Profile:

• A great opportunity to join a dynamic and growing team of committed procurement professionals working in a strategically important area of Defence. We can offer a varied and ambitious role making a real difference.
• The role offers both structured and informal professional development on functional and behavioral skills, as well as leadership skills which would provide opportunities to build on and develop a career in government procurement.
• A Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum will be payable to staff on attainment of CIPS Level 4 and the Commercial License Assessment (you will be supported in completing the Level 4 CIPS qualification with funding and time allocation).
• The role will require occasional travel in the UK with potential overnight stays.

Essential

• Experience of contract management
• Experience of sourcing, from pre-market engagement through to contract award.

Desirable

Experience of understanding complex supply chains

To be successful, candidates will need to demonstrate evidence of the following:

• Recent commercial or supply chain experience
• Working with the customer to support them in drafting their specifications of requirements & supporting them as part of the contract management role.
• Building clear and balanced working relationships both within a team and with wider partners.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to relate complex information to a non-specialist audience.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability of no more than 750 words covering:

• Evidence of previous commercial experience.
• Evidence of working successfully with the customer as part of the commercial role.
• Evidence of leadership and building strong working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Evidence of excellent communication skills with the ability to relate complex information to a non-specialist audience.
• Overall suitability and interest in the role

At sift, you will be assessed against:  

• CV
• Statement of suitability

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours and Technical Skills:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Comrcl Competency 2 Sourcing
• Comrcl Competency 3 Contract Management

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.