Address
Form of work
SalaryDetails
Reference number
345563
Salary
£94,000 - £131,000
GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 20% performance-related-pay available on accreditation
Job grade
SCS Pay Band 1
Commercial Specialist
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
GCF - Department of Health and Social Care
Type of role
Commercial
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
39 Victoria Street, London or Quarry House, Leeds
About the job
Job summary
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 DHSC commercial team delivering departmental objectives.
Job description
The role will involve working within a small team on key projects. Typically, we work on multiple projects at once, reflecting the fast-changing environment for PFI. We work flexibly as a team, making sure we have the right skills depending on what each project needs. Commercial specialists in the team are also supported by a PMO team who help with data and other analysis tasks. In all cases it involves working closely with different government stakeholders – including within DHSC, NHSE, Trusts and with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority as well as the private sector – including equity, debt, the FM market and advisers. An important part of the job is also sharing knowledge and skills with other members of the team to build capability and capacity.
Person specification
Leading in providing advice to the Department and NHS bodies on technical, commercial and financial aspects of PPP/PFI transactions
- This includes issues related to contract management such as statutory and contract compliance, performance and payment, operational efficiencies, delivery and management of facilities management services, lifecycle delivery, contract variations It also includes supporting Trusts with renegotiation and settlement agreements, including ensuring Value for Money and classification impacts are assessed, as well as precedent impacts for future projects Support trusts with complex negotiations, including with equity, debt and FM providers on distressed projects, including termination scenarios. This includes leveraging market relationships and working with advisers (legal, financial and technical) to assess termination routes Provide advice to Trusts on PFI specific contractual issues, for example application of the payment mechanism, insurance, energy sharing clauses Preparing and reviewing business cases and preparing submissions to Ministers The role may also include supporting on the contractual structuring for new private finance projects, requiring an understanding of different commercial structures, market appetite and VfM/budgeting considerations Supporting the team in looking at common ways to improve ongoing contract management through the use of technology Contributing to the development of PFI training, guidance, standards and other portfolio and contract management tools and products Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across departments and the wider public sector. Actively lead external market engagement with investors, asset managers, lenders, contractors and advisors to build and maintain networks and relationships. Maintain current knowledge and understanding of industry best practice standards and market trends Developing, interpreting, interrogating, and working closely with a range of complex financial models Be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer
- Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the DHSC and across government
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Manages Complexity – Ability to manage multiple projects with different issues running in parallel
- Decisive – Ability to take key decisions efficiently while engaging with key stakeholders
- Market Insight – Experience of the key issues facing operational health PFI projects as well as the key stakeholders in the market
- Commercial Focus – Experience in leading complex commercial negotiations on PFI projects, including involving equity and debt providers
- Builds Relationships - Ability to build relationships with stakeholders across both the public and private sectors
Benefits
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.
Please be advised that the Virtual ADC is taking place on 2nd May 2024 and will require a full day's attendance.
If you are invited to attend a virtual ADC, but for any reason are unable to meet the date outlined then please get in touch with the team at commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
The ADC is booked and paid for in advance by departments, therefore it is only in certain circumstances we are able to accommodate alternative dates. Details of schemes available are attached in the advert. For full details of our process, and a likely timeline, please read the explanation provided in the attached candidate pack. Throughout our selection process, we will make decisions about your capability to do the job, based on evidence you provide against the essential criteria for the role which are detailed in the attached Candidate Pack. Your application will be reviewed by a panel and should you be successful at sift we will invite you to attend a Virtual commercial Assessment and Development Centre (VADC). The panel will review results of the VADC and determine which candidates will go through to a subsequent final panel interview. IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your application within 2 working days please contact: commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
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
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).
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.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name :
Hayley Parfitt
Email :
commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email :
commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should direct this to the Head of Commercial Resourcing Hub at the following email commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk quoting the vacancy reference number (if applicable) and the details of your complaint. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission via the following web page: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/
