Commercial Officer

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Description & Requirements

On behalf of DSTL, we are looking for a Commercial Officer Inside IR35 for a 6 month contract (possible extension) working on a Hybrid basis (Remote with occasional attendance at the Porton Down (Salisbury) or Fareham offices)

DSTL is the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s science and technology organisation, providing unique expertise, crucial insights and delivering battle-winning solutions for the benefit of the nation and allies. DSTL is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field. DSTL supplies specialist and sensitive services to MOD and wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia and worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support.

Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) works to maximise the impact of science and technology for the defence, security and prosperity of the United Kingdom.

In order to do this, we need people who can use their skills to innovate and develop technologies which give our country the winning edge. We work in niche areas which are sensitive, operationally critical and international in nature.

About the role:

As a Commercial Officer within the Commercial Function the successful candidate will be responsible for: sourcing, sales and contract management.

The role provides working level support for Divisions, operating as a supervised practitioner in their area of responsibility and can have delegations which include sourcing, contract management, or sales.

Working as part of a team of up to six staff, you will typically be working for a Commercial Manager developing procurement requirements with other Dstl staff and internal projects. You will determine procurement strategies and support value for money tendering including negotiation with suppliers and supplier selection. You will place contracts and ensure effective supplier performance through whole life management of contracts while also providing accurate and timely commercial data. You will also be successfully developing yourself via experience, mentoring and formal training, with the Civil Service being leaders in investing in people.

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 Officer would be:

• Working alongside and advising project staff on acquisition strategies for procurements.
• Leading competitive or single source procurements and sourcing activities, including development of invitations to tender or negotiate, including complex contracts requiring non-standard pricing conditions or bespoke terms and conditions.
• Providing contract management of higher value or complex contracts.
• Making authorised changes to cost and schedule for such contracts, take enforcement steps as appropriate, and lead contractor performance management assessments.
• Providing delivery and oversight of commercial sales activity
• Acting as a competent local expert on sourcing, contract management and sales within Dstl Commercial function.
• Appreciating and being responsible for the health and safety of yourself and others.
• Pro-actively support the development of safe working practices, champion their use with others, and promote the welfare of self and others.
• Sharing best practise and report any unsafe practises to support and enable a learning culture. You are empowered to stop work where you feel it is unsafe

Essential:

• You have worked in a Commercial role which has enabled you to work independently on sourcing, procurement, and contract management activities
• Identifying the most suitable commercial approach to the circumstance, including assessing the potential tradeoffs and the level of risk mitigation required to achieve the best commercial outcome.
• Applying commercial skills and judgement through analysis of evidence and appropriate risk-taking.
• Taking ownership of decisions at tender evaluation stage and applying commercial expertise and judgement accordingly.
• Understanding and applying tools to monitor supplier performance, cost analysis, and contract related management information systems.

Desirable:

• MCIPS
• MOD experience

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

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DSTL 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

DSTL 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.