AMS PSR

On behalf of DWP, we are looking for a Senior Commercial Officer for a 3 months (Inside IR35) contract, working on a Hybrid basis and with an expectation of 2 days in either the Blackpool or Manchester office

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. As such, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

Working with DWP, you will be helping us to drive our priorities to:

• Help people to move into work and support those already in work to progress, with the aim of increasing overall workforce participation
• Help people to plan and save for later life, while providing a safety net for those who need it now
• Provide effective, efficient, and innovative services to the millions of claimants who rely on us every day, including the most vulnerable in society
• Improve experience of our services while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

We are looking for a Senior Commercial Officer to work within the DWP’s commercial directorate Digital category. Your role will be to work closely with colleagues from Digital and Finance to shape how we approach the market for the requirements Digital have, to run effective commercial processes that deliver excellent outcomes, and to ensure the contracts placed are managed effectively to achieve those outcomes.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) touches the lives of everyone in the UK in some shape or form, delivering services and support to help people find work, assist with a disability or provide support through their retirement.  As a key part of DWP, the Commercial Directorate (CD) shapes how services are acquired and managed across 3rd party contractual arrangements; DWP Digital’s current contract spend is in the region of £3.2bn with some of the largest industry suppliers and we are integral in ensuring that spend achieves value and makes the right impact. 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) touches the lives of everyone in the UK in some shape or form, delivering services and support to help people find work, assist with a disability or provide support through their retirement.  As a key part of DWP, the Commercial Directorate (CD) shapes how services are acquired and managed across 3rd party contractual arrangements; DWP Digital’s current contract spend is in the region of £3.2bn with some of the largest industry suppliers and we are integral in ensuring that spend achieves value and makes the right impact. 

Making the Difference

CD’s Digital Category procure the IT infrastructure, software, hardware, resource and outcome related services and anything further technology-related to support all of the DWP internal and external programmes and services. From buying laptops for DWP staff to supporting UK-wide work capability and health assessments, from data hosting to networks, we help source, procure and manage the Digital technology that underpins DWP’s vital services. We work closely with our Digital colleagues, providing the commercial support and guidance to aid Digital colleagues achieve their outcomes.

Duties 

The individual will provide end-to-end commercial support for procurements and contracts within the one of the sub-categories of Digital, so this role relates to buying Digital goods and services. This will include market analysis, requirements gathering, preparation of sourcing strategy, development of tender documents, execution of tender process, contract award and contract management. They will also be required to ensure that all relevant DWP and wider government governance and policy is followed, as well as strict compliance to procurement regulations. 

Procurement will be primarily through mini competitions under existing CCS frameworks. Ensuring good communication links with relevant digital and financial stakeholders.

As a Senior Commercial Officer, your main responsibilities will be:

• Maintain an accurate and timely pipeline of procurement activity and awarded contracts, ensuring stakeholder needs are represented and procurement timescales are followed.
• Support Digital by leveraging market knowledge to approach relevant markets (IT communication tools, collaboration tools, desktop software/services) and build understanding.
• Design and conduct procurements for software and services, including refining requirements, recommending sourcing strategies, executing processes, and finalizing contracts.
• Provide commercial management of contracts and ensure stakeholders perform appropriate operational management alongside your commercial oversight.
• Identify and deliver savings opportunities and added value, register and plan for delivery, and report on progress.
• Ensure proper storage and updating of relevant information, including document retention, eProcurement system updates, and pipeline updates.

Essential:

• Expertise in CCS frameworks and UK procurement legislation (PCR2015, PA2023) for central government departments.
• Extensive procurement and contract management experience within the IT digital space, coupled with strong commercial acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.

Desirable:

• MCIPS / CIPS qualified.
• Experience in purchasing within the Digital market and using CCS Technology Frameworks (e.g., Technology Services, Digital Outcomes, G-Cloud).
• Strong market knowledge and ability to leverage it for securing better deals and achieving optimal procurement outcomes.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DWP guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

Armed Forces Covenant 

DWP guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. 

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".