Commercial Core Policy and Controls Lead

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the UK's biggest government departments, building services that make a real difference to the lives of millions of people. Commercial Directorate (CD) is one of the leading government procurement functions and has an overarching Commercial Operations and Strategy (COS) team, providing critical input to DWP’s successful commercial delivery. Commercial policy sits within COS and is there to develop expert knowledge, advice and guidance on commercial policy and control areas.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity in enabling the DWP Commercial Strategy. Our strategy is fundamental to the achievement of departmental objectives priorities and delivery of government missions, including the National Procurement Policy Statement.

The Commercial Policy and Process Lead is a key role in our structure. The post holder will be implementing government policy through procurement to secure additional value from the annual commercial spend in DWP. The policies support ministerial priorities and better outcomes from our suppliers, including sustainability with social value.

Policy is also vital to creating a collaborative and innovative environment in the commercial function by embedding the new Procurement Act and reforms working with commercial teams and stakeholders to drive maximum value through adoption of new regulations. The post holder will also work with other teams and wider stakeholders across DWP and government to continuously improve processes and ways of working, creating opportunity to streamline and automate processes, facilitating the use of system-based tools in the end-to-end procurement process where appropriate.

The post holder will report to the senior Commercial Policy Lead and will be supported by a small, dedicated team with access to relevant subject matter experts across the enabling functions. The post holder will also work closely with key stakeholders, including Category Teams, Finance, Legal and Cabinet Office and will act as the cen

Person specification

• Collaborate with central government policy teams to shape and influence general commercial policy as it develops and to understand key priorities and how they align to DWP objectives.
• Develop, maintain and communicate commercial policy technical guidance to commercial and non-commercial staff.
• Draft submissions to senior commercial staff about procurement policy and legislative changes.
• Present policy and process overviews and updates to CD staff via appropriate channels such as MS Teams on Commercial Policy.
• Create best practice forums with commercial colleagues in DWP and across government teams.
• Build deep expertise in social value and sustainability commercial policy and process and implement the DWP National Procurement Policy Statement policy, driving opportunities to create improved contract delivery, wider societal outcomes and value for money.
• Contribute to cross government forums and ensure policies and process are clearly communicated and guidance maintained to cover the Outsourcing Playbooks, Cabinet Office commercial toolkits, Model Contracts and devise ways to improve commercial policy support to category teams.
• Build relationships across a wide range on internal and external stakeholders including finance and legal functions and build trust through delivering high quality, expert advice.
• Ensure policy changes are impacted across relevant areas and implemented effectively via implementation plans.
• Ensure effective governance and controls are in place to support policy delivery.
• Assign and manage work within a small, expert team.

The application process will involve uploading a CV and personal statement. To be successful, you must demonstrate your experience matching ALL of the Essential Skills listed below. Further information under ‘Application process’.

Essential skills required for the role -

• Experience of working in a policy or advisory role at a senior (lead) level in a large, complex organisation
• Demonstrable experience of delivering a significant change to commercial process
• Excellent stakeholder management skills - ability to establish professional credibility quickly.
• An excellent communicator able to influence senior stakeholders and with the skill to present complex messages simply and effectively.
• Ability to use initiative and judgement to tailor your approach to suit different implementation requirements and stakeholder needs.
• Solution orientated and resilient– motivated to look for new opportunities and find new ways of overcoming problems, dealing positively with setbacks and delivering successful outcomes.

Desirable skills

• Worked in a commercial or financial/legal environment.
• Knowledge of Public Contract Regulations, Procurement Act and Government Commercial Function/Cabinet Office commercial policies.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,946, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £16,786 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

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.

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