About the job

Job summary

For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government’s largest department.

People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential.

DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better – helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR.

The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them. 

Our ambitions are to:

Transition to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate
Invest in improving DWP’s buildings and infrastructure, conducted mainly through an extensive programme of planned replacement works 
Meet our agreed Government Greening Commitments - creating a culture where sustainability is embedded
Expertly deliver cost effective services
Create a professional working culture that is best in class across the Government Property world.

There is no better time to join us as we transform our estate and make our buildings fit for the future.

This role will take ownership of the supply chain management of estates suppliers covering a range of areas that may include but is not limited to Integrator, Landlord & Leasehold, Professional Suppliers, Project Consultants and Construction Suppliers, Furniture, Assets, Facilities Management, Guarding, Security.  This role will represent DWP Estates as the intelligent client against agreed performance metrics and will foster a collaborative relationship to drive innovation and identify improvement opportunities.

This role may provide support across all types of projects, including Major Projects, Capex and Lifecycle projects.

Job description

Key accountabilities

Performance and Governance

• Responsible for leading Key Account Management Meetings with a range of estates Supply Chain partners, to include driving forward performance management, effectively managing risks relating to supplier delivery, tactical and strategic priorities as well as compliance with contractual obligations.
• Significant stakeholder management across a range of estates areas including but not limited to, Finance, cost management, assets, design, compliance, sustainability and Service Delivery, to represent a single intelligent customer view and agree priorities to Supply Chain Partners.
• Leading collaboration in developing and implementation of early corrective actions with Supply Chain Partners.
• Accountable for supplier performance management of Supply Chain Partners that may include NEC3 and 4 Estates Programme Management.
• Providing ongoing performance and risk management against the agreed contractual performance obligations and ensuring supply chain management is effectively discharged. Working closely with DWP Estates Category Management (Commercial Team) on issues that require commercial input or escalation, as well as working closely with DWP Estates’ Project and H&S teams to obtain operational insights, ensuring compliance.
• Where applicable working closely with and utilising technical expertise from EPMS as required to effectively manage the Professional Suppliers and Project Consultants.
• Working with the DWP Estates’ Performance & Audit team to implement a performance framework to set out performance data and reporting requirements that are aligned to contractual obligations and KPIs reflecting DWP’s business requirements and contractual obligations.

Relationship management

• Effectively managing the supplier/client relationship across the Estates stakeholders, this role will lead the Supplier relationship management within Estates’,  and will support the DWP Estates Category Management team who will oversee the contractual relationship between DWP and Supply Chain Partners.
• This role will work collaboratively to ensure Estates Control Framework and End 2 End processes are effectively embedded and articulated across Estates Supply Chain Partners and monitor the performance of the Supply Chain and health of the relationships
• Building a strategic and collaborative relationship with Estates Supply Chain Partners to foster innovation and actively identify risks, continuous improvement opportunities to improve service, efficiencies and value for money
• Ensuring Supply Chain Partners deliver outcomes that our customers need and at the requisite service quality
• Significant stakeholder management across Estates bringing together key priorities for Supply Chain Partners.

Change Management 

• Managing service or other change requests, validating operational / business requirements with the Estates stakeholders. Providing supporting information and undertaking contract administration activities and assurance against contractual requirements to support the DWP Category Management team to execute necessary contractual changes.
• Maintaining records of all decisions made and instructions issued to Supply Chain Partners. Maintaining an auditable change control register
• Working closely with DWP Estates Projects and Service Delivery teams where applicable, to ensure change requests accurately reflect DWP requirements. Overlaying supply chain insight and operational information to determine required changes in scope, service and volume to accurately reflect DWP’s requirements.
• Collaborating with the internal DWP stakeholders and Cost and Supplier Performance Management team to support the Application for Payment process.
• Supporting re-procurement activity through ensuring procurement documentation, including performance metrics / KPIs, accurately reflects the desired capabilities and requirements related to Supply Chain Partners and takes account of any previously identified gaps in service, operational insights or past performance trends. 

Strategy

• Working alongside the wider DWP Estates Supply Management Team, providing support in development and implementation of DWP Estates’ Integrator and the Supply Chain performance management framework and category strategy
• Implementation of Estates category strategy and development plans as agreed by the DWP Estates Category Management team and the Estates stakeholders

Health & Safety

• Working with the DWP Estates H&S team and Compliance teams to ensure the Supply Chain Partners compliance with Health and Safety obligations and carrying out commensurate corrective action where necessary.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience in (day to day) supply chain performance and relationship management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with an ability to lead and influence senior stakeholders, engaging and collaborating to build effective networks in order to deliver goals and objectives.
• Operational experience of managing a range of suppliers, capable of protecting DWP’s commercial interests.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of “Continuous Improvement Programme” implementation.
• Knowledge of Supplier and Customer Relationship Management tools and techniques and their application.
• Experience of implementation of risk management strategies and processes providing a clear programme oversight and leadership, reporting to business leaders to identify strategic risks and challenges,
• Demonstrable experience of excellent senior client relationships and ability to build effective relationships.
• Proven ability in articulating data and forecasts to stakeholders with commercial acumen.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Certified membership of a recognised supply chain management professional body, e.g. ASCM, IOSCM, MCIPS
• Detailed knowledge of NEC contracts and NEC contract management tools.
• Understanding and experience of complying with Real Estate and related Statutory, Regulatory and Professional requirement.
• Experience of NEC contract management tools such as CEMAR, Fastdraft or SyproCM.
• Experience in supply chain delivery in any of the specialisms noted.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.  
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed 

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.  This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business

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.

STAGE 1  - APPLICATION & SIFT

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV.

Your CV should be fairly short and just evidence very brief details of your work history and experience.

Please do not submit a speculative application where you do not meet at least 50% of the essential criteria as these applications will be unsuccessful. Do not include Behaviour examples within your application as these will not be assessed in the sift and will only be used at interview stage.

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

There will be an initial sift of applications based on the Personal Statement only, so please ensure you evidence how you meet the Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience requirement contained in the vacancy in this section. This will form a short list for interview.

STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single virtual video interview.

The interview will follow a blended approach which will help us assess candidates Behaviours and Strengths.

Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 4 September 2023 and interview dates will be w/c 18 September 2023. Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change.

Presentation

If invited to interview you will be required to do a 5 minute presentation at the start of your interview. Details of the presentation and what is required will be supplied as part of the invite to interview.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

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

Any move to DWP 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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

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

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

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

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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

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.