13199 - Contract Manager
Background
The courts and tribunals in England and Wales have been allocated unprecedented funding of almost £1billlion. This will enable HM Courts & Tribunals Service, working in partnership with the judiciary, to create a system that is proportionate and accessible and that better meets the needs of the people it serves. This is the most ambitious programme of its kind anywhere in the world.
As a Contract Manager in the Change Directorate you will be supporting the change in our world-leading justice system. The Portfolio is ambitious and we need a resilient, resourceful and adaptable person to help make it happen, who has a proven track record in commissioning services. Your application will need to demonstrate that you have the experience required in commissioning or procurement of services (ideally within a Programme environment), that you can thrive in an environment that is changing constantly, that you can deal with uncertainty and that you are committed to developing services that are based on the needs of the end recipient of the service provided as well as the needs of those who administer the services provided.
The key purpose of the role is to
Provide support to the Head of Commissioning as follows:
Commissioning
- Manage the process for commissioning requirements that ensures “fit for purpose” products or services are procured and delivers value for money.
- Obtaining HMCTS/MoJ/Cabinet Office CCS approvals.
- Generate Commissioning Strategies based on the various inputs from the Programme/Project/ Workstream and Commercial. Maintain a commissioning pipeline plan providing a view of the portfolios procurement horizon
Procurement
- Responsible for managing the interface with Commercial and ensuring the procurement runs to timetable
- Responsible for coordinating any early market engagement
- Take part in evaluation of bids on behalf of the business
Contract Management
- Create and implement contract management plans including administering all the necessary processes and reporting
General
- Liaise with key parts of the programme and colleagues (including all programmes within the Portfolio and Commercial)
Experience required
- Experience of delivering successful commercial & commissioning outcomes through development of robust requirements, setting commissioning strategies and working alongside commercial
- Experience of contract management including monitoring supplier performance.
- Experience of working within Government and awareness of procurement routes.
- Experience of Excel
Key responsibilities
Manage the process commissioning programme requirements to performance management post award
- Supporting programmes (by working with Director level programme leads) to identify/define requirements, deliverables and outcomes for commissioning; this will involve using own judgement, supporting programmes to translate needs into deliverables, drawing on past experience and learning from other commissions across government
- Liaising with Programmes to produce a pipeline plan based on; date product or services are required and timescales for procurement process for each programme
- Managing the process (alongside MoJ commercial colleagues) from approvals to peformance managing the contracts once awarded; this may involve creating a commissioning strategy, recommending options, external supplier engagement, driving the commissioning forwards to meet programme deadlines and holding suppliers accountable post award
- Performing the role of contract manager; including managing suppliers
- Ensuring that progress against deliverables and cost (within contracts) are appropriately reported and controlled; working closely with Senior Business Owners and Finance
- Ensuring that the correct documentation is completed for commissioning and onward contract management
- Maintaining effective records.
- Ensuring that risks and issues within contracts are appropriately identified assessed and managed.
- Ensuring that the contract spend is effectively monitored alongisde Finance colleagues.
Stakeholder relations
- Manage effective engagement with all relevant stakeholders to make sure that, where appropriate, their needs are incorporated including Director level programme leads, Senior Business Owners, colleagues within HMCTS reform, Cabinet office colleagues (where required) and MoJ Commercial colleagues
- Manage the effective delivery of the contract management plans including supporting the SBO and working with/managing external suppliers.
Accountability
- Report to Band A Head of Commissioning
Other duties
The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.
Key Civil Service Competencies
You will be required to provide evidence of the following key competencies at Level 3.
If a large number of applications are received, Collaborating and Partnering will be the priority competency.
Seeing the Big Picture
- Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work
- Develop an understanding of own area’s strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities
- Ensure own area/team activities are aligned to Departmental priorities
- Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge of own work and of team’s business area
- Seek to understand how the services, activities and strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end user
Changing and Improving
- Find ways to improve systems and structures to deliver with more streamlined resources
- Regularly review procedures or systems with teams to identify improvements and simplify processes and decision making
- Be prepared to take managed risks, ensuring these are planned and their impact assessed
- Actively encourage ideas from a wide range of sources and stakeholders and use these to inform own thinking
- Be willing to meet the challenges of difficult or complex changes, encouraging and supporting others to do the same
- Prepare for and respond appropriately to the range of possible effects that change may have on own role/team
Leading and communicating
- Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and Departmental strategy
- Recognise, respect and reward the contribution and achievements of others
- Communicate in a succinct, engaging manner and stand ground when needed
- Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact
- Promote the work of the Department and play an active part in supporting the Civil Service values and culture
- Convey enthusiasm and energy about their work and encourage others to do the same
Collaborating and Partnering
- Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
- Invest time to generate a common focus and genuine team spirit
- Actively seek input from a diverse range of people
- Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of the organisation
- Deal with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner
- Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the Department
Managing a Quality Service
- Make effective use of project management skills and techniques to deliver outcomes, including identifying risks and mitigating actions
- Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and service standards to provide quality, efficiency and value for money
- Work with team to set priorities, goals, objectives and timescales
- Establish mechanisms to seek out and respond to feedback from customers about service provided
- Promote a culture that tackles fraud and deception, keeping others informed of outcomes
- Develop proposals to improve the quality of service with involvement from a diverse range of staff, stakeholders or delivery partners
Flexible working options
HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices.
Job Sharing and Reduced Hours
All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.
Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances
This job is not eligible for relocation allowances but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJ’s excess fares allowance policy.
If you are an existing civil servant, you will retain your permanent status. If you are appointed to the programme on promotion, you will secure this grade on a permanent substantive basis. Existing civil servants will receive support in finding a new role at the end of the fixed term. For external candidates, this is a fixed-term appointment for the duration of the programme.
We are happy to consider secondments and loans
Working Arrangements & Further Information
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
27/09/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 27th September 2017 at 23:55 hours
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals 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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· 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 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.