AMS PSR

On behalf of DWP, we are looking for a Commercial Practitioner - (INSIDE IR35) for a 4 - month contract based working on a hybrid basis and with an expectation of 3 days attendance in the Manchester or Blackpool offices

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.

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen based within the DWP’s Commercial Directorate supporting the Employment Services Category, within the Jobs Guarantee and Restart teams. Your responsibilities include managing commercial activity within the category team and across the full Commercial lifecycle supporting the Jobs Guarantee and Restart programs, some of which are provided through Grant schemes. These roles are part of the Back to Work and In work, Skills and Category Support teams which includes all the major national programmes (Restart, Work & Health Programme (WHP), Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES), Jobs Guarantee and Test & Learn for new trials/pilots.

The aims of Jobs Guarantee are to prevent long-term unemployment ‘scarring’ in young people, improve young people’s work experience and confidence, to help employers fill vacancies and reduce reliance on long-term benefits. Jobs Guarantee will provide support to young people facing long-term barriers to employment, such as limited experience or confidence. Employers will receive support with recruitment and funding per placement; wage costs will also be covered. In providing supportive environments and real experience employers will be able to prepare young people for a life of independence through increased employability.

The Restart Scheme is a mandatory programme aimed at supporting claimants in the Intensive Work Search regime to overcome barriers to work and to find sustainable employment. It is available in England and Wales for claimants who have been receiving Universal Credit for 6 months or more as of 1 July 2024. Restart provides regular and tailored one-to-one support and allows work coaches, claimants and providers to work together to develop the claimant’s employability skills and move them closer to and into work.

The Commercial Categories have a portfolio of contracts that are intrinsic to enabling DWP’s services and delivering citizens outcomes, which you will play a part in. Your work within the Category team will be fast paced, and requires pro-active and innovative thinking, with good communication skills and an outgoing and enthusiastic approach to challenges. The post holder will be required to take on commercial management responsibilities for existing or new contracts, so strong commercial skills will enable you to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, to deliver and achieve joint outcomes.

As a Commercial Practitioner - (INSIDE IR35), your main responsibilities will be:

• Engaging with and influencing internal stakeholders to determine commercial strategies for future delivery of services.
• Leading and supporting procurement and buying activities to deliver the pipeline of requirements.
• Undertaking contract management, supplier performance and relationship management to drive continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders and suppliers on a regular basis to ensure information collected is up to date, accurate and helps ensure Senior Managers are able to make informed decisions that affect the category.
• Support their respective line managers in all the necessary commercial activity to enable best Value for Money (VFM) solutions to be realised.
• Line management and capability building within the team.
• Where DWP are driving outcomes through Grant schemes, with any initiative linked to Employment Services Category, work with those stakeholders to offer Grant and Commercial support to ensure Grant principles are followed.
• Providing Commercial support and advice to colleagues, in Policy and Programmes, delivering Jobs Guarantee outputs through Grants.
• Monitor Grant activity providing an overview of progress and any emerging risks.

Person specification

The roles and responsibilities for this position include, but are not restricted to:

Commercial Strategy 

Take the lead in providing commercial advice to a wide range of stakeholders to support colleagues with market engagement, sourcing, tendering and a wide range of procurement activities.

Ensure "best outcome" commercial solutions are delivered in line with DWP, Commercial and Category strategies, and ensures value for money.

Stakeholder Management / Engagement / Communication. 

Working with stakeholders at all levels (internal and external) leading work to develop strategy and tactics for procurement category initiatives.

Create positive supplier relationships, encouraging innovation, creation of “value add” solutions, and a strong customer service ethic.

Managing the Procurement Process 

Undertake end-to-end procurement activity, utilisation of standardised e-tools, CCS and other framework agreements and contracts as required.

Producing, reviewing and advising on governance documents and processes such as papers for Commercial Board, Programme Board, gated project submissions etc.

Project manage necessary work streams and initiatives to ensure timely delivery of objectives, ensuring all necessary process, including formal stakeholder engagement and approvals are completed.

Take responsibility for the development, review, execution of contracts including supporting negotiation where required.

Grant experience 

Supporting colleagues through Grant activity, from Design and Development and Application Assessment to General Grant Award, would be an advantage.

Providing written advice on potential risks of intended action when setting up grant schemes, to ensure Grant principles are adhered to.

Leadership 

Promote and play an active part in supporting Commercial Directorate values and culture.  

Manage, coach and develop team members.

Contract Management 

Commercial management of related suppliers including analysis of contract performance information.

Application of Contract Law 

Be comfortable dealing with complex contract and procurement documents.

Essential

• Procurement, Contract Management & Commercial experience
• Public Sector experience
• Grants Experience
• Stakeholder Management, Communication & Influencing Skills
• Experience of working within a complex and challenging environment
• Commercial Acumen, Analysis & Attention to Detail

Desirable

• MCIPS
• Atamis experience

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. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

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 exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

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".