Commercial Officer

On behalf of the DSTL, we are looking for a Commercial Officer - Inside IR35 for an 18 month contract based Hybrid basis (1/2 days per week on site in Porton Down or Fareham and remaining WFH)

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.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Commercial Officer would be:

- Providing commercial advice within project teams, to enable effective commercial sourcing, sales and contract management activities and to improve commercial awareness.
- Managing risk and reward mechanisms in contracts, developing opportunities to incentivise contract delivery and driving continuous improvement including supplier development;.
- Able to explain and win buy in from peers for Dstl’s strategic aims and work of Commercial Function.
- Ensure commercial information and data is maintained and accurate.
- Identifying the most suitable commercial approach to the circumstance, including assessing the potential trade-offs 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.

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.

Essential:

- Strong experience in Sourcing and Tendering
- Experience with Public Contract Regulations, Defence and Security Public Contract Regulations.
- Knowledge of Procurement Act 2023.
- Worked in a commercial environment involving infrastructure works and soft and hard facilities management .
- Knowledge of CCS/GCA Frameworks
- Managing communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders will be required.
- Ability to communicate priorities and business plans to internal and external stakeholders whilst ensuring that all programmes and projects deliver to time, cost and quality.

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 Disability Confident employer, DSTL encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, DSTL welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the 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.