Building a strong Commercial Function in Government, and with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of Civil Service reform.

We are building a cadre of commercial talent in all Government departments; people who can manage our commercial portfolios, who can lead our most complex and novel programmes and projects, people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside our policy and operational leaders to develop innovative commercial arrangements, whether through joint ventures, outsourcing or best-in-class contracts.

The Government Commercial Organisation is an employer which is truly committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and are able to perform to their potential. We understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and strive for a workplace that reflects the communities which we serve. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with a disability and candidates with gender-diverse identities. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We have already made significant progress through the establishment of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but based in our CCT - Strategy Assurance & Standards. commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

You will be joining the team as we prepare to launch the new Procurement regime, the Procurement Bill is currently making its way through parliament and is expected to be implemented in 2024.

The Procurement Review Unit (PRU) will drive up standards through monitoring and reviewing procurement activity against the new legislation when it comes into force. Intervening where appropriate and working collaboratively to improve commercial capability across public procurement. The scope and powers of the unit are still being finalised but a key part of the post holder’s role will be to work with senior stakeholders to ensure an approach that, using commercial data and other sources of information, the PRU can review the effectiveness and integrity of public sector procurement.

The PRU includes the existing Public Procurement Review Service that is responsible for the informal investigation of concerns raised by suppliers, in particular small businesses, relating to public procurement practice in England whilst supporting continuous improvement across the public sector procurement. This service has statutory powers to investigate performance by contracting authorities and their functions and publishes its findings.

As the post holder you will be a senior leader within the Government Commercial Function, playing an active role in the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) through leading, managing, supporting and coaching more junior team members; developing and enforcing Cabinet Office Commercial Policies and Governance arrangements across our area of work.

You will act as a focal point for common action on behalf of all Contracting Authorities, Coordinate responses to major procurement events, maintain the integrity of the procurement regime and ensure contracting authorities act in line with our international obligations including under the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

You will be adept at using data and information enabling the PRU to establish a baseline for monitoring benefits of the new regime - and using this to drive continuous improvement

The post holder will be expected to deploy their skills and experience flexibly across the wider team to deliver the Government's post-EU Exit reform programme and the public procurement policy agenda.

You will be responsible for leading any Investigations of Procurement non-compliance against the new rules both on a systemic and institutionalised footing. A key part of the role will also to create, oversee and utilise a pool of independent subject matter experts to either form the investigation team and / or be utilised to advise on recommendations following an investigation. As a senior member of the Strategy, Assurance and Standards team you are also expected to work in an agile fashion within the management team.

• Mobilise investigation teams, manage and lead informal and formal pan public sector investigation and reviews

• Create, manage and utilise an independent procurement compliance advisory panel to make fully informed recommendations, ensure actions meet recommended outcomes and issue guidance on learning from experience

• Manage a portfolio of cases including compiling reports based on investigation findings, making recommendations to an independent panel before securing ministerial sign off

• Manage ministerial relationships in relation to investigation activity

• Support the Head of PRU to lead the team and to effectively communicate commercial policy to drive continuous improvements, deliver key engagement & programme management activities in support of both Government Commercial Function and Cabinet Office priorities as part of the public policy procurement reform strategy

• You will ensure defined reports are issued on time and meet stakeholder expectations
  
• Liaise with the PRU portfolio office to provide information on the number, nature & status of breaches & challenges
  
  
  

• Ensure that investigations proposed/delivered are to expected standards as set out in the PRU operating standards

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  Create Insight reports that meet key stakeholder requirements

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  Developing guidance on the reforms; and lead on ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions relating to the role and related work.

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

• Risk Mindset - Deep experience of the analysis of risks and margins of error whilst drawing together and presenting sound recommendations through making reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence
• Builds Relationships - Strong stakeholder engagement, communication skills with a record of developing and instigating different approaches to support collaborative relationships with senior leaders within the private or public sector environments
• Political Insight - Acts decisively and clearly recommends the best option articulating risks and impacts on economic, environmental, political and social factors
• Strategy and Policy Development - Experience of working and providing advice at a strategic level in organisations with a deep understanding of public procurement legislation and national policies relating to procurement

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

For existing Civil Servants: For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack. Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers.

Job contact :

Name :
Hayley Parfitt
Email :
commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk