35338 - Policy and Governance Manager

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) 

The Ministry of Justice(MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system.  The department serves the public by upholding the rule of law, and by delivering an efficient, fair, timely and effective justice system. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.   

Our 4 strategic priorities to deliver our vision are: 

• A prison and probation service that reforms offenders; 
• A modern courts and justice system; 
• A Global Britain that promotes the rule of law; 
• A transformed department that is simpler, smarter and more unified. 

MoJ Commercial and Contract Management Directorate 

The breadth and depth of the work of the Ministry of Justice Commercial Function is significant.  Each year we spend circa £3.2 billion on a diverse range of goods and services.  In addition, we support some of the most innovative commercial work in government, and our Directorate’s work is crucial to the successful delivery of prison reform and court reform programmes. 

The CCMD Corporate leads on the functional strategy, the commercial policies and governance and commercial risk framework as well resourcing and development of the commercial function to enable it to meet its strategic and operational objectives. This includes financial management of the CCMD budget (c.£22m p.a.) and business support for approximately 220 commercial staff and 30 support staff based in London, Leeds and Manchester. We also support a Transport and Logistics function employing around 70 staff based in the Midlands.  

Contribution to a strong team ethos as well as commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration and knowledge sharing is essential.   

Job Purpose 

To ensure the Commercial and Contract management activities within the MOJ operate within an agreed governance framework in order to meet their responsibilities for regulatory compliance whilst minimising commercial risk and maximising value for money.

The post holder will provide advice on Commercial and Contract management policy and governance issues across the MOJ. Working as part of a small Policy and Governance team they will develop and promote best practice across a wide range of areas, including policy, governance and the development of appropriate tools and techniques. This role will support all aspects of the teams activity but will take a lead on developing and streamlining governance arrangements. The post holder will:

• Work with the Cabinet Office policy team, Crown Commercial Services, Government Commercial Function and other subject matter experts to translate the wider government needs into efficient ways of working
• Work closely with CCMD and wider MOJ Risk Management colleagues to ensure that the appropriate governance bodies are informed on commercial matters as appropriate and that responsible and accountable stakeholders are appropriately engaged
• Work in conjunction with the CCMD Systems, Risk and PMO colleagues to assess staff compliance with governance frameworks;
• Review existing governance mechanisms with the MOJ risk team to ensure clear and effective governance is in place for commercial decision making, compliance and assurance
• Review and simplify processes and help to communicate governance arrangements to the wider commercial community
• Consult with and provide updates to the Policy and Compliance Group as required;
• Support applications for relevant industry accreditations such as the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS);
• Assist with the management of the Commercial Compliance Team mailbox answering any governance questions from commercial staff and stakeholders.
• Respond to Procurement Policy Notes and other sources of best practice to ensure that CCMD policy is always compliant with mandated commercial and financial best practice approaches
• Provide the information assurance, knowledge management and analytical resource to support the development, application and communication of new policies, processes and ways of working
• Provide advice and guidance to commissioners, business managers, policy officers and others in the procurement service with governance and commercial aspects of their procurement activities
• Represent the Commercial Service in internal and external collaborative discussions or forums relating to procurement policies, legislative development and benchmarking in your areas of specialism;
• Develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement and learning, through both formal and informal means;
• Provide constructive challenge and motivation to continuously improve the performance of the Commercial function
• Provide advice and assistance to CCMD staff on correct governance routes and other related issues

Experience 

The post holder must have experience of working in a commercial environment preferably in the public sector or a regulated environment.

This role will suit someone who enjoys working in a fast paced and challenging environment within a small team and who has strong skills at building and maintaining a wide range of key relationships.

The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain a wide range of key relationships, evidence of influencing and working collaboratively to effect change in ways of working and deliver improved outcomes.

The candidate must be confident in the use of MS Office applications and in particular Word and Excel.

Most importantly the candidate will have enthusiasm, energy, proactivity, prepared to work under their own initiative and to be flexible and adaptable in a demanding environment.