Commercial Assistants

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Corporate Services Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Communications, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Private Office, Security, Estates and Information.

The Commercial Directorate sits within the Corporate Services Group and works in close partnership with policy, operational and delivery teams, to enable the department to deliver its priorities.

The directorate manages substantial third‑party spend and delivers a wide range of goods and services - from critical operational capabilities to complex, high‑value programmes that underpin the Home Office’s most important work.

We are seeking motivated individuals to join us at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level to support delivery of our commercial objectives. Whether you have existing commercial experience or strong transferable skills, this is an opportunity to develop your career within a professional commercial function, with access to structured development and recognised qualifications.

Job description

As a Commercial Assistant (HEO), you will support the delivery of procurement and contract management activity across the Home Office Commercial Directorate.

Working across the commercial lifecycle, you will contribute to procurements, support contract management, and work with stakeholders and suppliers to ensure value for money, effective risk management and delivery of operational priorities.

You will operate within established governance frameworks, building your commercial capability while supporting delivery across a diverse and complex portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Support procurement activity
Assist in the delivery of end‑to‑end procurements in line with Home Office policy and public procurement legislation, including use of eSourcing tools.

Support contract management and supplier performance
Work with colleagues and business stakeholders to monitor contract performance, manage risks and support delivery against agreed outcomes.

Engage stakeholders and suppliers
Build effective working relationships with internal teams and suppliers, supporting clear communication and delivery of commercial activity.

Contribute to commercial planning
Support the development of sourcing plans, pipelines and category insights to improve commercial outcomes.

Deliver core commercial activity
Undertake day‑to‑day commercial tasks including market engagement, meeting coordination, tracking benefits and maintaining records.

Maintain data, reporting and compliance
Ensure accurate management information, documentation and records are maintained in line with audit and governance requirements.

Develop commercial capability
Build knowledge of commercial processes, policy and best practice, contributing to continuous improvement across the function.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Commercial or contract-related experience
  Experience supporting or contributing to procurement, contract management, supplier management, or other commercial activity, or demonstrable experience applying commercial thinking (e.g. value, cost, or supplier considerations) within a role.
• Understanding of commercial delivery and value
  Awareness of how organisations procure, manage suppliers, or deliver value for money, with the ability to apply this understanding in a practical context.
• Organisation and delivery skills
  Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, delivering work to deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail, particularly where governance or compliance is required.
• Communication and commercial awareness
  Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and apply judgement in a commercial or delivery context.
• Proactive approach and continuous improvement
  Demonstrate initiative in identifying improvements, supporting efficiency, or contributing to better commercial or business outcomes.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of public sector procurement or working with frameworks (e.g. Crown Commercial Service).
• Experience using digital tools or systems to support procurement, contract management or reporting.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• 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 employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

Sign-up on our website to receive emails with information about careers at the Home Office.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal