Procurement and Improvement Manager
HM Treasury
About the job
Job summary
About HM Treasury
If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.
Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.
We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you!
Job description
About the Group
International Group
Do you want to advise ministers on promoting and protecting the UK’s economy and its competitiveness internationally in a fast-changing environment? If so, read on!
International Group provides opportunities to work on areas including - spending control on international development, trade policy, climate change, health, cooperation on Ukraine, economic security, financial sanctions and tackling illicit finance. We also manage economic relationships with Europe, US, China and other advanced economies and emerging markets.
We build relationships with external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international groupings and institutions, including the G7, the G20, the International Monetary Fund and at some of the Multilateral Development Banks. We also analyse international comparisons and the wider global economic context, including for fiscal events. Although international travel is an important part of some roles, it is not required for every role in the group and will be specified if required.
About the Team
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI)
OFSI sits within HM Treasury, has been operational since March 2016 and in its first six years quickly established itself as a world-leader in financial sanctions, a key area of financial, foreign and national security policy. It remains front and centre of an unprecedented financial sanctions response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
HM Treasury implements financial sanctions in the UK, and OFSI fulfils this role on its behalf. It leads on the implementation of UN and UK financial sanctions and domestic terrorist asset freezing, providing a high-quality service to the private and charitable sectors, and guidance to help them follow the law. It works closely with law enforcement, intelligence agencies and strategic policy colleagues across Whitehall and beyond to help ensure that financial sanctions are accurately understood, implemented and enforced. OFSI has important partner relationships in the regulated financial services sector, the primary implementers of financial sanctions, and is an integral part of the sanctions community worldwide.
Robust enforcement of financial sanctions helps to maintain the integrity of and confidence in the UK financial sector, a priority for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. We have strong powers, including to impose monetary penalties, and is in the front line in the fight against this serious crime.
OFSI is a diverse and dynamic team of over 130 people, from a variety of backgrounds and professions. We offer an outstanding environment to broaden your experience and develop new skills, whilst working on some of the highest profile international issues the UK faces. We strongly support a good work-life balance and flexible working is actively encouraged.
You can read more about OFSI on our gov.uk page here: https://www.gov.uk/ofsi
About the Job
The unprecedented speed, scale and complexity of the UK’s sanctions response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in a step change in the profile of financial sanctions. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has tripled in size and is undergoing a period of change.
This exciting role sits within OFSI’s Operations Branch and is a new role to address an urgent business need bringing vital expertise and support to the wider team: it will be busy and a real opportunity to add value to our work.
This critical role will oversee all of OFSI’s procurements, contracts and procurement processes. Ensuring we are professional, getting value for money, constantly improving and meeting our legal obligations. Without successful and good value procurements, especially of our case management systems, OFSI cannot meet our objectives. This role also covers improvements to our IT systems – sourcing customer needs, assessing current provision and working with IT experts to improve our systems. The role holder will work closely with branches across OFSI – to understand their needs, help them understand how procurement works and make sure procurement is reflected in their work plans (for example in our financial plans and any future Spending Review bids). They will work closely with HMT’s corporate centre to pool expertise and work together to get the best outcomes for OFSI, HMT and the taxpayer. The post holder will need strong coordination and delivery skills and be prepared to represent both OFSI and the branch with external stakeholders, both domestically and internationally. Experience in government procurement would be very beneficial, technical IT skills are however not a requirement.
Key responsibilities will include:
1. Lead the centre of expertise for procurement and improvement in OFSI – take a collaborative approach to upskill and support OSFI colleagues, being a reliable and informed source of support, working closely with HMT’s central procurement teams.
2. Oversee all of OFSI’s procurements and procurement processes – help branches identify the support they need, and procure that support for them. Hold OFSI leads to account for identifying and pursuing procurements which are in-line with OFSI’s objectives and minimise duplication. Help leads identify whether contract renewal or a re-tender is the right approach for them and then what approach to take, in-line with our legal obligations and Civil Service best practice.
3. Managing the contract renewal of OFSI systems – once/if it is determined that renewal is the right option, work with HMT central procurement team and branches across OFSI to ensure renewal is smooth and budget is accounted for.
4. Lead on critical OFSI IT improvement projects, including on Economic Deterrence Initiative projects/spend and case management systems renewals/improvement, as well as coordinating work with the HMT IT function (TBS) and relevant 3rd party contractors to aid continuous service improvements and issues resolution. This will include extensive stakeholder management working closely with and representing the team with other OFSI branches, HMT teams, other government departments and international partners (in certain projects) to articulate the requirements of the team and ensure systems deliver on OFSI’s internal and external needs.
5. Create and maintain System Operating Procedures for our IT systems to ensure we are managing data and cyber risks appropriately and responding to feedback, working with data & risk experts.
6. Keeping track of OFSI’s previous and future procurements – their cost, scope, expiry and risks. Work with OFSI’s finance experts to ensure procurements are accurately reflected in our budget and spending forecasts/actuals.
7. Ensure OFSI’s procurement and IT improvement needs are effectively addressed in any future Spending Review and Reserve Claim bids.
8. Work flexibly across the Operations Branch and wider Governance, Operations and Strategy Unit to assist in other areas where needed – for example managing correspondence, Data Subject Access Requests and FOIs.
This role requires a SC level clearance. Depending on business need, the successful candidate may be requested to obtain DV clearance whilst in post, however this is not a requirement of the role.
Candidate Drop-In Session
The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time.
Tuesday 16th July 2024 @ 17:00 Join the meeting now
If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact laura.harbidge@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Person specification
We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.
- Experience of working on public sector procurement (Experience)
- Ability to identify where a change is needed and drive that change forward. (Changing and improving)
- A proven ability to work with others – supporting them in an area where you are the expert and you need to work together to get the right outcome. (Working Together)
- Ability to work independently, planning and driving forward longer-term projects whilst managing shorter term demands to deliver to deadline and under pressure. (Delivering at Pace)
The lead criterion is: Experience
If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,710, HM Treasury contributes £8,561 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, Strengths and Experience.Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: Sunday 21st July 2024
Shortlisting: w/c 22nd July 2024
Interviews: w/c 5th August 2024
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.
Eligibility Statement
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Security Check (SC)
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you. Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.
These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting. If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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
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
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.