About the job

Job summary

We’re Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority – a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. 

As the economic regulator of water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, our role is to enable, incentivise and hold companies to account for providing the very best for customers, communities and the environment now and in the future. We also oversee the markets in the water sector to ensure they’re working for customers.   

Our procurement team provide commercial advice, guidance and technical support to the organisation, with all members acting as a partner for two or more of the 7 directorates. We are a unique, small and friendly team, reflecting Ofwat as an organisation.

You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack. 

Job description

To respond to additional demand whilst continuing to develop and improve the service, the Procurement team is expanding to include the new role of 'Strategic Procurement Partner -Senior Associate'.

You'll advise on and assist with high-risk, strategic and/or sensitive tendering and contracting requirements across all directorates.

Acting as a partner to one or more of our 7 directorates you'll provide professional customer-focused procurement direction, advice and guidance and practical support to a range of stakeholders within Ofwat. At the same time, you'll work with colleagues to develop a procurement pipeline activity, monitoring and reviewing to ensure it is in line with financial budgets and directorate objectives.

You'll maintain expert, up-to-date knowledge on all legal, policy and best practice procedures for public sector procurement; interpreting and making recommendations for implementation within Ofwat.

Supporting the Head of Procurement, you'll assist with the development and maintenance of the Procurement Strategy, procurement policies, templates and training materials for all our commercial activities.

In all aspects of the role, you'll ensure that value for money is given the highest priority and that we are transparent in doing so.

Key deliverables:

• Advise and assist with the high-risk, strategic and/or sensitive tendering and contracting requirements across all directorates. Proactively managing internal and external relationships.
• Ensure Ofwat adheres to its requirements on procurement and compliance, using transparency as a tool to build trust and confidence in Ofwat.
• To continue to develop and maintain an effective logging and monitoring system of procurement requests and delivery, to produce regular performance reports on the volume, nature and turnaround time of requests for procurement.
• To manage the delivery of high-risk contracts in a proportionate manner that is timely, effective and efficient. This will be carried out where appropriate using frameworks.
• Assist with developing and maintaining procurement processes which promote the completion of low-risk contracts by project managers and other managers. This will be achieved by setting out clear and consistent procedures, coaching, training and high-level process reviews and refinements.
• To determine, based on the annual procurement plan, when specialist procurement expertise may be required on particular assignments. This may involve collaboration with other public sector organisations or outsourcing.
• To ensure accurate records are kept for audit purposes and the reporting of procurements performance indicators. This will include reporting on contract evaluation performance.
• To interact using discretion & customer-facing skills with a range of internal and external contacts.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills and knowledge:

Essential experience, skills and knowledge 

• Lead criteria: Demonstrable, relevant experience in public sector procurement, operating as a practitioner.
• Lead criteria: Level 6 CIPS or unambiguous evidence of actively working towards.
• Stakeholder relationship management, at all levels
• Ability to explain complex legislation, processes and procedures to internal staff with varying knowledge of procurement
• Developing and implementing procurement strategies, processes and procedures.
• Writing and presenting in a clear, understandable and accurate way
• Delivery of a procurement
• Negotiation and contract management

Attributes 

• Committed Learner
• Makes Relationships Count
• Creates Clarity

Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Senior Associate Band. You can read more about Attributes here.

Benefits

Why You Should Join Us: 

We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We actively encourage autonomy, collaboration and innovation and we have a unique culture fostered by trust, flexibility and respect.

With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours s a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.  

You will also benefit from:

• Excellent employer pension contributions, for this role ranging from £9,968 to 
  £14,757, depending on salary. You can find further details about pension schemes under Terms and Conditions in the Candidate Pack.
• 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service), plus bank holidays
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail 
  outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
• Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle.
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
• Generous shared parental leave and pay.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Regular development opportunities.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How to apply

Apply through the Civil Service Jobs website where you’ll be asked to create an account and complete an application form (CV and personal statement). If you’re unable to make an electronic application, please contact recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk and we will support you in completing your application.

Please ensure you have submitted your application in full ahead of the deadline listed below. Unfortunately, we won't be able to consider late applications.

Selection timetable

• Closing date: 23.55, 30 January 2024
• Sifting: 31 January - 02 February 2024
• Interview date(s): Week commencing 05 February 2024

Assessment process

Sift Stage

At sift stage we assess your application against key essential skills, experience, and knowledge, listed in the professional requirements section above. 

In your application, please state clearly how your skills, experience, and knowledge meet the essential criteria.

In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criterion: 

• Demonstrable, relevant experience in public sector procurement, operating as a practitioner.
• Level 6 CIPS or unambiguous evidence of actively working towards.

In your personal statement, please tell us how your skills and experience meet the lead criterion, with examples if appropriate. 

You may find the STAR method useful in structuring your personal statement. 

Interview Stage

We will assess your Experience, Skills and Knowledge as well as Attributes (set out in the professional requirements section) at Interview Stage.

You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.

As part of the interview process, we may require a short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.

Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.

If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.

Please read the attached "Candidate Information Pack" for details on terms and conditions.

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. 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.