Head of Commercial Compliance and Investigations

ContentsLocationAbout the jobBenefitsThings you need to knowApply and further informationLocationBristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Norwich, YorkAbout the jobJob summaryGCO resourcing is delighted to be helping the Strategy Assurance and Standards Team in Cabinet Office Central teams in standing up the new Procurement Review Unit.It is an incredibly exciting time for public procurement! And we would love you to come and join us on the journey. We are searching for an experienced commercial leader to play a critical role in one of the Government's key reform programmes- the Transforming Public Procurement Programme. The reforms to public procurement are huge - covering 300bn annual spend, 20,000 public bodies and countless suppliers to the public sector. It represents a big change for the public sector and this is a great opportunity  for a highly motivated individual to play a role in shaping the future of procurement and guiding our function through this transformation. The Procurement Act 2023 replaces the previously complicated set of regulations with a new regime that better meets the UK’s needs and delivers real value for taxpayers. It brings a range of benefits, including creating a simpler and more flexible commercial system that better meets our country’s needs and opening up public procurement to new entrants such as small businessesand social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts.These legislative reforms will not in themselves deliver unless contracting authorities take action and do things differently and the programme incorporates projects focused on policy and legislation; learning and development; and digital systems. The new Procurement Review Unit introduced by the act seeks to improve the capability and practices of Contracting Authorities for the benefit of everyone involved in public procurement through ensuring compliance with the new procurement rules (and trade agreements) and operate a centralised debarment regime.Sitting in the Cabinet Office Strategy, Assurance and Standards (SAS) team, the Procurement Review Unit has an unparalleled level of visibility across all public sector contracting authorities. As the Head of Commercial Compliance and Investigations, you will have an opportunity to positively influence commercial outcomes and improve commercial practice pan public sector including the most complex of environments, by drawing on your experience and sharing best practice.Job descriptionThis is a high-profile role, advising Ministers and Senior Officials on commercial non-compliance against the Procurement Act 2023. As a member of the Commercial Strategy, Standards and Oversight team (SCSO) within Strategy Assurance and Standards, you will lead on the delivery of the Cabinet Office Procurement Compliance Service, influencing commercial operations influencing commercial practice across a spend profile of approximately 300bn per annum.As Head of Commercial Compliance and Investigations you will be responsible for implementing the government’s procurement oversight commitment as set out in part 10 of the Procurement Act. This Act will introduce the biggest changes to how public sector organisations buy goods and services for a generation!You will report into the Deputy Director, work alongside a team of 13 within the PRU and a team of 33 across SCSO with access to a pool of subject matter experts. You will be responsible for one Commercial Lead as a direct report and have the opportunity to apply your industry and procurement knowledge alongside your refined leadership, investigatory and stakeholder management skills to support the Cabinet Office central commercial teams in improving commercial capability of the public sector contracting with suppliers whilst reducing the risk of legal challenges.Preparations in the run up to October 2024 will include agreeing the operating relationships with the Cabinet Office central commercial teams, government departments and other interested parties such as Cabinet Office Legal Advisors, Serious Fraud Office and National Security teams.  You will lead the creation of flexible resourcing arrangements, procedures, templates, process maps and guidance covering triage, risk profiling, investigations, independent reviews, writing ministerial submissions and management of recommendations through to overseeing remedial action.Following implementation, you will leading the resourcing, coordination and oversight of complex, far reaching and politically sensitive systemic or institutionalised non-compliance investigations having oversight of pan public sector contracting authorities. You will also work closely with other government departments, ministers, senior officials and devolved administrations.If you are passionate about joining an organisation with a vision and drive to be the “best Commercial Function in the UK”, are outcomes driven, conscientious, enjoy working collaboratively and passionate about continuous improvement the Strategy Assurance and Standards team is for youYou will be a senior leader within the Cabinet Office, playing an active role in the Strategy, Assurance and Standards Management Team through leading, managing, supporting and coaching more junior team members; developing and enforcing Cabinet Office Commercial Policies and Governance arrangements across our area of work.You will lead the creation of the new procurement oversight system and therefore work closely with the Cabinet Office policy team, central commercial teams, the cabinet office legal advisors, departments, arm’s length bodies and the wider public sector to ensure the process is fit for purpose under the new regime. There will be a significant amount of stakeholder engagement and cross working with the Head of Debarment and Investigations, The Heads of Commercial Standards as well as the Head of the Procurement Review Unit Portfolio Office. You will maintain the integrity of the procurement regime and ensure contracting authorities act in line with our international obligations including under the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).A key part of the role is to create, oversee and utilise a pool of independent subject matter experts to either form the investigation team and / or be utilised to advise on recommendations following an investigation. As a senior member of the Strategy, Assurance and Standards team you will also work in an agile fashion across the management team. Person specificationLead and manage a team of commercial professionals including matrix management of subject matter experts and ensure their output contributes directly and aligns to the Department’s priorities and objectives, including the management of public money and delivery of value for money.Support the Deputy Director of Strategy Assurance and Standards to lead the team and to effectively communicate commercial policy to drive continuous improvements, deliver key engagement & programme management activities in support of both Government Commercial Function and Cabinet Office priorities as part of the public policy procurement reform strategy.Mobilise investigation teams, manage and lead investigations, follow up reviews and manage ministerial approvals.Create, manage and utilise an independent procurement compliance advisory panel to make fully informed recommendations, ensure actions meet recommended outcomes and issue guidance on learning from experience. Manage a portfolio of cases including compiling reports based on investigation findings, making recommendations to an independent panel before securing ministerial sign offOversee the triage of non-compliance cases ensuring reports are issued on time and meet stakeholder expectationsWork alongside the PRU portfolio office to share data and insights relating to the number, nature & status of breaches & challenges Ensure that investigations proposed/delivered are to expected standards as set out in the PRU operating standardsDeveloping guidance on the reforms; and lead on ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions relating to the role and related work.The successful candidate will have an appreciation and understanding of the barriers facing contracting authorities. You will enjoy working in an agile environment, have a track record of leading teams, applying a variety of investigation techniques and tools whilst being able to work under pressure thus ensuring effective and efficient delivery of commercial outcomes in fast paced, political and ambiguous environments.The role requires an individual who can demonstrate substantial experience of procurement rules either from a buyer or supplier perspective.  You will also have contract management or supplier relationship management experience with in-depth understanding of the new public procurement regulations, legal framework and up to date knowledge of commercial policy, data and Management Information good practice. You will be adept at using data and information enabling the PRU to establish a baseline for monitoring benefits of the new regime - and using this to drive continuous improvementTechnical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:Risk Mindset – Deep experience of the analysis of risks and margins of error whilst drawing together and presenting sound recommendations through making reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidenceManages Complexity – Experience of having had a leading role in investigating complex commercial activities, with demonstrable experience across the commercial lifecycleResilient – The ability to challenge senior stakeholder decisions, work under pressure, and deliver multiple projects within agreed timescalesBuilds Relationships – Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills with a record of developing and instigating different approaches to support collaborative relationships. Collaborating communicating complex solutions clearlyPolitical Insight – Acts decisively and clearly recommends the best option articulating risks and impacts on economic, environmental, political and social factors.BenefitsAs 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. Please note that any move across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018 may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.Things you need to knowSelection process detailsThis 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 28th 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 ##### 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: ##### will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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).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 informationThis 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 applicantsJob contact : Name : Hayley ParfittEmail : ##### teamEmail : ##### informationIf 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 ##### 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: number
350496
Salary76,125 - 97,760GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 15% performance-related-pay available on accreditation.GBPJob gradeGrade 6Associate Commercial SpecialistContract typePermanentBusiness areaGCF - Cabinet OfficeType of roleCommercialWorking patternFlexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hoursNumber of jobs available1