AMS PSR

On behalf of The Home Office, we are looking for a Commercial Lead Inside IR35 for a 6 month contract working on a Hybrid basis (Remote with occasional travel to London or Sheffield and port sites)

The first duty of Government is to protect the public. Since 1782, the Home Office has led work to keep the country safe from those who seek to do it harm; in doing so, we make a vital contribution to HM Government’s plan for a stronger, fairer, outward-looking and united Britain.

The Home Office covers three systems Homeland Security, Public Safety and Borders, and Immigration and Citizenship. These systems work collaboratively to deliver our cross-cutting priorities, whilst providing increasingly efficient and secure services for the public. These are difficult areas that can rapidly change in the global environment we work in – this makes us one of the most exciting and stimulating government departments in which to work.

Role purpose:

The Home Office Detection Services Portfolio within Border Force is undertaking a procurement to provide and support maximalist X Ray screening solutions at a United Kingdom port. The portfolio includes multiple projects incorporating X Ray, technology integration and civil engineering considerations, with at least one major procurement classified as a Gold contract, requiring additional senior commercial capacity. A G7 Procurement Lead is required to deliver a major procurement and provide expert commercial input across the portfolio.

Please note:

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Commercial Lead would be to:

• Deliver end to end procurement activity for multi-energy portals, including the design and construction of groundworks at the port.
• Strengthen commercial governance, reduce risk, and ensure procurements meet regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic commercial leadership and specialist support to the DS portfolio where existing civil service capacity is constrained.
• Lead development of sourcing strategies for a major procurement within the DS portfolio.
• Run full competitive tender processes, including preparation of ITT documentation, evaluation models, governance submissions, clarifications, moderation and contract finalisation.
• Manage market engagement to ensure clarity of requirements and optimal competition.
• Provide expert advice on commercial routes, risk treatment, pricing models and contractual levers.
• Ensure compliance with commercial governance, Procurement Act 2023 and GCO standards.
• Produce commercial papers for investment boards and senior decision makers.
• Engage with key suppliers throughout market sounding and tender phases.
• Build effective relationships with technical, programme, finance and policy teams to ensure procurement alignment.
• Support negotiations to achieve value for money, compliance, and timely delivery
• Provide additional commercial capacity to support wider DS procurements where required.
• Share best practice with internal colleagues.

Essential:

• Experience delivering complex, high value procurements in the public sector.
• Strong understanding of UK commercial governance.
• Strong understanding of Public Procurement legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead procurements within technology, digital, data related and civil engineering portfolios.
• Confidence in senior level stakeholder management and commercial negotiation.
• Ability to work independently while integrating with the Home Office’s commercial governance.

Desirable:

• Experience in Estates
• Defence experience
• Familiarity with MOD/Immigration procurements

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, the Home Office 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

The Home Office 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".