Commercial Specialist

Work can be done remotely, but the post holder will have a contracted base of Liverpool or Darlington. The post holder may be required to attend their contracted office in accordance with the needs of the organisation.

Job Summary

DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on 1 December 2012, operating from two sites, Liverpool and Darlington. We operate on behalf of government delivering Disclosure functions in England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and Barring functions for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We operate in the complex world of safeguarding alongside our multi agency partners. Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

We provide a service that enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make better informed, safer recruitment and other decisions. We do this by providing information to enable them to determine whether individuals are unsuitable or unable to undertake certain work, particularly with occupations involving regular contact with vulnerable groups, including children.

This is an exciting opportunity to join DBS as it builds and strengthens its Commercial team. We have recently launched our new Corporate Strategy and are on a technological transformation journey, both of which require strong commercial leadership and support. The newly restructured Commercial team will play a key role in advancing these strategic priorities and driving key changes. You will have the opportunity to apply your skills and experience to shape the strategic direction of both the Commercial team and the wider organisation as DBS delivers upon its new strategy.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

The DBS is seeking a Commercial Specialist, at SEO grade, to support the organisations commercial requirements.

As a member of the Finance and Corporate commercial team, the post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure customer and stakeholder needs are met and will deliver commercial activity in line with public accountability expectations, the procurement regulations (including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and regulations that pertain to the Procurement Act 2023 as appropriate), government policy and professional standards. You are a member of the broader Home Office and cross government commercial community and will therefore be encouraged and supported to build relationships with colleagues across government, including the Home Office and Cabinet Office to support the development of services, ensure compliance with policy and ensure the DBS excellent reputation is developed and maintained.

Key Responsibilities:

As a commercial specialist you will develop relationships to support the organisation in reducing unnecessary spend and delivering Value for Money through commercial activities. You will be responsible for liaising at appropriate levels across the organisation to offer early-stage specific advice to assist stakeholders in developing innovative commercial and procurement strategies and managing the related commercial activity.

• Proactively building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; providing clear and considered advice on commercial and procurement matters to internal stakeholders.
• Implement commercial and procurement strategies, defining and negotiating contract terms.
• Identify and mitigate contractual risk to reduce the risk of service failure and reputational damage.
• Commercial management of new contracts and handover to contract management teams in accordance with the Contract Management Professional Standards.
• Work alongside colleagues across different parts of the organisation to support delivery of effective contract management in accordance with the Contract Management Professional Standards.
• Ensure compliance to and awareness of developments in procurement law, government accounting commercial and procurement best practice as identified in government policy, standards and toolkits.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to effectively develop and maintain a Commercial pipeline using information from existing MI systems and input from business areas to provide an informative and consistently presented pipeline to support forward planning of sourcing/competitive tender exercises. Ensure that savings are identified, understood, recorded and managed at all stages of the procurement and contract management cycle. 
• Ensure that commercial risks are identified, understood, recorded and managed at all stages of the procurement cycle, and that ongoing risks are transferred seamlessly into contract management.  
• Support and/or lead on the procurement of services and the management of small, medium and large contracts across all relevant categories, and the commercial management of key suppliers that conform to Disclosure Barring Services, Home Office and Cabinet Office policies and assurance processes and which comply fully with the Procurement Regulations, the Procurement Act 2023 and any applicable EU procurement law
• Support senior colleagues in raising awareness and understanding of Commercial policy among stakeholders across business areas and successfully work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure policy, governance and assurance processes are followed in a timely and pro-active manner and ensure conditions placed on DBS are met. 
• Ensure a full audit trail for each requirement, embracing continuous improvement and adapting to new ways of working as appropriate.
• Develop an understanding of service supply markets, categories and business context providing options and opportunities for different ways of thinking from a commercial perspective looking at aspects such as developing requirements, options analysis for routes to market, risks, benefits, and Social Value. 
• Follow core procurement processes such as using eSourcing systems and following commercial governance procedures.  
• Gather lessons learned from procurements and ensure these are documented to inform future projects and influence improvements in commercial processes, systems and skills. 
• Act corporately and make a wider contribution to the DBS.
• You will have completed (or be willing to complete) Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply to CIPS Level 6 Advanced Diploma
• You will have completed (or be willing to complete) “foundation” level in the Contract Management Capability Programme and will be working through Transforming Public Procurement training to ensure we are compliant with The Procurement Act 2023. You will take ownership of bronze and silver level procurements and support with gold level procurements, and will ensure compliance and drive Value for Money.
• You will look for transformational opportunities with other Government Departments, looking at achieving efficiencies and benefits for DBS in commercial, supplier and contract management. You will support the business with contract monitoring at bronze and silver level commercial contract management, ensuring all contracts in this portfolio are effectively managed in-life and risks understood/mitigated.
  
  

Key Responsibilities:

As a commercial specialist you will develop relationships to support the organisation in reducing unnecessary spend and delivering Value for Money through commercial activities. You will be responsible for liaising at appropriate levels across the organisation to offer early-stage specific advice to assist stakeholders in developing innovative commercial and procurement strategies and managing the related commercial activity.

• Proactively building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; providing clear and considered advice on commercial and procurement matters to internal stakeholders.
• Implement commercial and procurement strategies, defining and negotiating contract terms.
• Identify and mitigate contractual risk to reduce the risk of service failure and reputational damage.
• Commercial management of new contracts and handover to contract management teams in accordance with the Contract Management Professional Standards.
• Work alongside colleagues across different parts of the organisation to support delivery of effective contract management in accordance with the Contract Management Professional Standards.
• Ensure compliance to and awareness of developments in procurement law, government accounting commercial and procurement best practice as identified in government policy, standards and toolkits.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to effectively develop and maintain a Commercial pipeline using information from existing MI systems and input from business areas to provide an informative and consistently presented pipeline to support forward planning of sourcing/competitive tender exercises. Ensure that savings are identified, understood, recorded and managed at all stages of the procurement and contract management cycle. 
• Ensure that commercial risks are identified, understood, recorded and managed at all stages of the procurement cycle, and that ongoing risks are transferred seamlessly into contract management.  
• Support and/or lead on the procurement of services and the management of small, medium and large contracts across all relevant categories, and the commercial management of key suppliers that conform to Disclosure Barring Services, Home Office and Cabinet Office policies and assurance processes and which comply fully with the Procurement Regulations, the Procurement Act 2023 and any applicable EU procurement law
• Support senior colleagues in raising awareness and understanding of Commercial policy among stakeholders across business areas and successfully work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure policy, governance and assurance processes are followed in a timely and pro-active manner and ensure conditions placed on DBS are met. 
• Ensure a full audit trail for each requirement, embracing continuous improvement and adapting to new ways of working as appropriate.
• Develop an understanding of service supply markets, categories and business context providing options and opportunities for different ways of thinking from a commercial perspective looking at aspects such as developing requirements, options analysis for routes to market, risks, benefits, and Social Value. 
• Follow core procurement processes such as using eSourcing systems and following commercial governance procedures.  
• Gather lessons learned from procurements and ensure these are documented to inform future projects and influence improvements in commercial processes, systems and skills. 
• Act corporately and make a wider contribution to the DBS.
• You will have completed (or be willing to complete) Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply to CIPS Level 6 Advanced Diploma
• You will have completed (or be willing to complete) “foundation” level in the Contract Management Capability Programme and will be working through Transforming Public Procurement training to ensure we are compliant with The Procurement Act 2023. You will take ownership of bronze and silver level procurements and support with gold level procurements, and will ensure compliance and drive Value for Money.
• You will look for transformational opportunities with other Government Departments, looking at achieving efficiencies and benefits for DBS in commercial, supplier and contract management. You will support the business with contract monitoring at bronze and silver level commercial contract management, ensuring all contracts in this portfolio are effectively managed in-life and risks understood/mitigated.
  
  

Person specification

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Great people skills and experience of building, maintaining and influencing customer and stakeholder relationships within a commercial environment. 
• Resilience when working under pressure and proven ability of leading or working within a team environment to deliver successful outcomes at pace and within a changing environment. 
• Proven track record of delivering to a high standard at pace.
• Understanding of working with CCS frameworks and associated development of Schedules, Statement of Works, Statement of Requirements, Milestones
• Experience of working in a commercial environment, either through working in procurement, supplier management or contract management. 
• Procurement experience on sub-threshold and above threshold tenders via CCS / Other frameworks and OJEU (desirable); experience in the governance and negotiation of Single Tender/Direct Awards where they are required.
• Experience of working in a focussed manner, managing competing priorities and stakeholders
• Experience of building strong, productive relationships at all levels and with a variety of stakeholders with different backgrounds, perspectives and drivers.
• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) membership, qualified to Level 4 Diploma (or equivalent).
• Awareness of the Gov.uk Sourcing Playbook, the Contract Management Professional Standards and associated policies and the obligation on Commercial to support DBS to achieve compliance with governance including but not limited to Home Office Commercial Assurance Board and Cabinet Office Commercial Spend Controls; whilst providing support to DDAT in achieving compliance with the CO CDDO Technical Spend Controls).
  
  

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Knowledge of MS Office based products specifically Excel, Outlook and SharePoint, whilst also demonstrating skills in utilising digital tools to support delivery of wider objectives
• Some experience of developing and leading teams to improve (not necessarily as a direct line manager).
• You work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective. 
• Willingness to progress towards CIPS Level 6 (or equivalent)
  
  

Further Information:

To View the DBS Recruitment and On-boarding Privacy Notice, please click the link below:

DBS Recruitment and On-boarding Privacy Notice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This privacy notice covers personal data collected during the recruitment, security clearance and on-boarding process.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £42,075, Disclosure & Barring Service contributes £12,189 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The DBS offers a number of excellent benefits for its employees. These can include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent maternity, paternity and adoption schemes (after a qualifying period)
• Commitment to the health and wellbeing of our employees
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible working opportunities
• Eyecare voucher scheme
• Occupational Health Service including referrals for counselling and physiotherapy
• 24/7 Counselling and Wellbeing Service
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  

The DBS vision and purpose is to make people safer by being a visible, trusted and influential organisation, providing an outstanding quality of service to all our customers and partners, where our people understand the important safeguarding contributions they make and feel proud to work here. To do this, the DBS is committed to being an employer that is able to attract, develop, retain and engage diverse talent that is representative of the communities we serve, and to be an organisation providing outstanding service to all our existing and new customers, who are diverse and have a range of different needs. We want all our staff to be able to bring their ‘whole self’ to work.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

To Apply For This Role, Please Provide A:

• CV with details if your employment history, skills and experience
• Personal statement of no more than 500 words
  
  

In your CV and personal statement, you must demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

Please apply through https://dbscareers.co.uk/

The Selection Process For This Role Will Include:

• Application screening based on your CV and personal statement
• An Interview
  
  

At interview we will assess you against the following behaviours:

Communicating and Influencing

Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Working Together

Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

Changing & Improving

Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Leadership

Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.

Developing Self & Others

Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.

Managing a Quality Service

Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs

The STAR (Situation, Task, Action and Result) technique is a useful method to help structure your answer:

Sift and interview dates

The following timetable outlines indicative dates. Please note, these dates may be subject to change without prior notice.

• The closing date for applications will be Tuesday 22nd April 2025
• Interviews will commence from Wednesday 7th May 2025
  
  

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Whilst we will endeavour to provide some flexibility with regards to dates wherever possible, it is unlikely that we will be able to offer an alternative date once an appointment has been scheduled.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The 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 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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a 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 applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Lorraine Obrien
• Email : lorraine.o'brien@omnirms.com
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSPeopleSupportTeam@dbs.gov.uk