About the job

Job summary

Our priorities  

Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.  

Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.  

Put public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.  

Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.  

Deliver legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.  

Our Inclusive Environment  

We have an inclusive culture which makes the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued 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 helps us be more innovative. 

 We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.  

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion and fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.  

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation?  

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/    

Job description

About the Commission:

The Geospatial Commission is at the forefront of an extraordinary period of technological evolution that is changing how we live, work and travel. Geospatial data and technologies enable us to be on the cutting edge of innovation and are increasingly valuable tools for businesses and public-sector organisations, from the parcel ordered and delivered to you on the same day to the creation of a digital map of pipes and cables underground, geospatial innovations are increasingly powering the way we go about our daily lives.

The Geospatial Commission is a committee within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology responsible for setting the UK Geospatial Strategy and coordinating public sector geospatial activity. It is an economic policy unit supported by a range of professionals including analysts, policy, project managers, and data specialists from a variety of backgrounds. Our aim is to unlock the significant economic, social and environmental opportunities offered by location data and boost the UK’s global geospatial expertise. For further information about the Geospatial Commission, please click here.

About the role:

Are you seeking your next career challenge?

Would you like to become part of a team supporting some of the most exciting science, innovation and technology? If you are looking for a rewarding & exciting opportunity then this role could be for you. Commercial work within Geospatial and DSIT is broad and our teams work on a range of activities from procurements and grants to working alongside other government departments to deliver exciting and innovative projects.

We collaborate with our colleagues across DSIT to secure value for money, manage risk and provide guidance throughout the commercial life-cycle. Each day our teams contribute to the Departments achievements and we want you to be part of that too, we believe that the key to success is to develop our teams to become trusted commercial advisors. We want you to enjoy our dynamic, friendly and inclusive team and make the most of opportunities to progress.

We need you; two critical parts of delivering the strategy depend on the management of our existing public sector contracts and the procurement of new products and services to support the Geospatial Commission's priorities.

We are looking for an enthusiastic senior contract manager, to support the management of our contracts and contracts pipeline, to enable the delivery of these programmes and ultimately deliver value to end users and influencing the geospatial data market as whole. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in a high-profile aspect of government policy, aligning with its wider data and industrial strategies, and other key priorities where location-based data is a key component in realising both economic and social value.

Person specification

Key responsibilities:

In this role you will lead on:

• Day to day management and monitoring of the contracts, working with suppliers and users to ensure that the contracted performance targets are met.
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach, Identifying areas for improvement and work with both the suppliers and stakeholders to ensure that solutions are found and implemented which maximise value for money over the whole life of the contract.
• The development of close and collaborative relationships with users, key stakeholders, and suppliers in order to ensure the delivery of superior service and value for money.
• Provide leadership and building trust to ensure positive engagement during times of tension with both users and suppliers.
• Lead on the delivery of the new data and services to the end users ensuring they fully meet requirements and delivered on time.
• Engagement with public sector stakeholders and geospatial partner bodies, ensuring a wide range of requirements are captured.
• Engagement with commercial managers in Geospatial Commission, end users and existing suppliers to embed feedback and best practice in commercial strategy.
• Continue to develop the existing commercial methodology and evidence base, working with the analysis team, to demonstrate the current value delivered by the contracts.
• The development of close and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, colleagues, users, and existing suppliers.
• To produce reports, statements and information papers to support a programme of internal governance, assisting with assuring Senior Management that all activity regarding the Geospatial Commission’s Public Sector Contracts are compliant and are being delivered as expected.
• Lead on the management of risk and issues with suppliers, ensuring registers are in place which give appropriate cover to essential areas.

Person specification:

We are looking for individuals with the following attributes, skills and experience:

• Strong contract management skills, experience and awareness.
• To work with suppliers and to be able to engage in meaningful but sometimes challenging conversations with stakeholders.
• Experience of managing and interacting with stakeholders, sometimes with conflicting priorities, including senior officials and/or private sector organisations.
• Able to work independently, with a proactive approach to the great work that you and your wider team are delivering.
• A flexible and a collaborative attitude to team working, adapting to changing priorities and workloads.
• Commercial or contract management skills including understanding of contributing to building business cases).
• Previous experience or involvement in public sector procurements would be beneficial (Desirable).

Experience:

We'll assess you against these experiences and strengths during the selection process:

• Excellent communication skills and experience of engaging with stakeholders.
• Contract management (Essential).
• Procurement (Desirable).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,860, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £10,492 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 and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and behavioural statements.

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

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements and CV. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behavioural statement (Working Together). 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour-based questions 

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: from 15th May 2024

Interview dates: w/c 27th May 2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

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

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicant's section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview.

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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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

A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland 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. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

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.

Feedback

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 counter-terrorist 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

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.