Defence Digital Commercial Officer- Space Category

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Corsham; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public sector organization in the UK is seeking a Defence Digital Commercial Officer to provide procurement services for digital technology capabilities. The role includes managing contracts for military communication satellites and offers opportunities for professional development, including a fully funded qualification in procurement. Benefits include a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Hybrid working options

Fully funded training for professional qualifications

Modern building surrounded by countryside

On-site parking and sports facilities

Qualifications

• Previous experience of sourcing, delivering, and managing simple contracts.
• Confident with making decisions and able to work effectively both independently and in a team.
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS Level 4, or be willing to achieve this qualification.

Responsibilities

• Leading and supporting competitive and single-source procurements.
• Sourcing and contract management of Space Professional Services contracts.
• Management of existing contracts to deliver in-service support to the SKYNET system.

Skills

Good influencing and communication skills

Ability to analyse and interpret contractual wording

Ability to build stakeholder relationships

Ability to manage competing priorities

Education

Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS Level 4

Job description

Defence Digital Commercial Officer

Location: MOD Corsham (SN13 9ET) as base location.

Job Summary

We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.

Defence Digital is responsible for delivering and integrating new digital capabilities, giving our forces the advantage on the cyber battlefield to combat an ever-evolving threat.

In support,Defence Digital Commercial is building a centre of procurement excellence, focusing on getting the best outcomes across all our contracts. We are developing a more strategic approach to supplier relationship management and implementing new ways of working that will embed good practice category management.

We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Job Description

The Defence Digital Space Category team provides commercial support to the SKYNET family of military communication satellites that are currently operated for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and which provide strategic communication services to the UK Armed Forces and Allies.

The Space Category team in Defence Digital are responsible for placing and managing contracts in support of the MOD’s satellite communication capabilities, which includes the military satellites, ground support infrastructure, terminals, modems, and bandwidth. This is an exciting time to join the Space Category, as we transition to a pan-Government Enterprise Space Category (ESC), that aims to drive collaborative behaviours, improved procurement strategies and deliver better value for money across Government in Space

The roles available within the team cover the full range of activities required of the Commercial function to help Defence Digital deliver the SKYNET 6 Programme. This includes:

• Leading and supporting competitive and single-source procurements for the next generation of new and complex military satellites, ground infrastructure, terminals and other equipment;
• Sourcing and contract management of Space Professional Services contracts;
• Management of existing contracts to deliver the critical in-service support to the SKYNET system; and,
• Management of existing contracts to design and manufacture satellites and equipment that will sustain the programme into the next decade.
• All members of the Space Category team will also be actively involved in the development and implementation of the pan-government Enterprise Space Category through inputs into the category strategy and related workstreams.
• Some of the roles will have line management responsibility.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week, full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority's sole discretion.

As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.

Person Specification

• Previous experience of sourcing, delivering, and managing simple contracts.
• Good influencing and communication skills.
• Awareness of Category Management.
• Confident with making decisions and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and draft contractual wording with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to work with and motivate others.
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS Level 4, or be willing to achieve this qualification by commencing study once in post. This will be fully funded and supported by MOD.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• People Standards for the Profession - Understanding Needs and Sourcing Options - Associate Commercial Practitioner
• People Standards for the Profession - Contract and Supplier Management - Associate Commercial Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• ACivil Service pensionwith an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate,although we expect the role to require office working on 4 days per week
• Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum, payable to staff on completion of CIPS Level 4 and mandatory commercial e-learning courses.
• Fully funded training for professional qualifications with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a global membership organisation
• MOD Corsham has on site parking, staff restaurant, coffee shops, sports facilities including fully equipped 24/7 gym for a fraction of the cost of a commercial gym. Classes run daily by fully trained PT instructors.
• MOD Corsham is a modern building surrounded by countryside, perfect for lunchtimes walks.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

Please note:

• The post does not offer relocation expenses.
• External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
• Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
• Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
• Any move to MOD 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 athttps://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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