Commercial Assurance Manager

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is a dynamic delivery-focused portfolio covering a breadth of programmes to expand fibre broadband connectivity across the UK. Reporting to the Commercial Assurance team Commercial Leads, we are recruiting two roles to support commercial assurance activities.
These roles offer an exciting opportunity to be a member of the BDUK Commercial Team, supporting BDUK’s aims of delivering gigabit connectivity to the hardest to reach parts of the UK. The BDUK Commercial Team delivers a range of commercial work across the whole procurement cycle including planning, sourcing and contract management in a compliant manner while providing value for money. Within that, the Commercial Assurance team acts as a critical friend, responsible for ensuring BDUK’s commercial processes are compliant and fit-for-purpose.
We are looking for dynamic, enthusiastic individuals who enjoy bringing their skills and experience to all procurement projects they undertake. In these roles, the successful candidates will engage with a mix of stakeholders: confidence and professional credibility are key attributes to ensure our commercial work is positive and supportive.
As a member of BDUK, you will gain experience of Government delivery with a mix of career civil servants and expert contractors; including telecommunications professionals, finance, and digital & commercial specialists, analysts and project management specialists. You will also have the opportunity to develop your commercial career, build your commercial acumen and take advantage of learning opportunities in a busy commercial delivery programme., Assurance and Compliance
Support the Commercial Assurance Lead with the independent assurance of procurements and contracts, including:
+ the administration and coordination of the assurance processes across the commercial lifecycle;
+ liaising with stakeholders (e.g. Cabinet Office, Department Commercial function, HM Treasury) to ensure that all key deliverables required for assurance/approvals are on track such as procurement and contract assurance reports, updates and pipeline reviews;
+ building strong relationships with stakeholders to improve risk and assurance processes and governance.
Ensure BDUK complies with procurement regulations, subsidy control regulation and wider guidance and policies by supporting the identification and assessment of risk across the commercial lifecycle, including reviewing and reporting on:
+ evidence that procurement processes and regulations have been followed;
+ evidence that tender documentation has been drafted in accordance with government and BDUK processes;
+ evidence that delegation of authority limits have been observed and all necessary approvals are in place;
+ evidence that contract management standards have been adhered to and contract obligations are being met by BDUK and the supplier;
+ Identifying risks relating to legal and regulatory compliance, escalating as appropriate.
Pre-procurement market demand analysis and pipeline reporting
+ Maintain up-to-date commercial pipeline and ensure data is correctly captured and published.
+ Participate in assessment of supplier financial and business plans for BDUK’s Open Market Review (OMR) process;
+ Attend relevant OMR governance meetings including evaluator assessments and gateway meetings to represent Commercial Assurance and provide supporting commentary on commercial assessments.
+ Engage with suppliers when required to ensure strong market engagement in the OMR process.
Systems:
+ Use our procurement and contract management systems tool (Atamis) to create reports, provide assurance and compliance on effective internal ways of working.
+ Maintain a roadmap of system and process improvements, including supporting the use of AI in developing efficient reporting and monitoring., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Changing and Improving
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together, + A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 3 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
+ A Statement of Suitability (max 500 words) should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.
+ 250 words on the following behaviours: Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, and Working Together.
For the shortlist, Applications will be reviewed by a panel who will look at the Skills and Experience provided in the submitted CVs and Supporting Statements. Please note, your application must provide evidence of the skills & experience outlined in the key criteria to be progressed to the next stage. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
First Stage Interview/Assessment
Candidates successful at the review stage may be invited to attend a first stage interview/assessment.
Interview
During the interview process, candidates may be asked to provide further evidence of their skills and experience. Interviews may also include a presentation exercise. The interview will be a blended assessment consisting of a series of questions against the Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and Strengths.
The following behaviours will be tested at application and interview: Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, and Working Together.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
Interviews will take place remotely via Google Hangout video call. Successful applicants will join the department through our remote onboarding process.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
The expectation within BDUK is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for BDUK roles on level transfer during that time.
BDUK has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.
Location
This role can be based in London and Manchester. The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations yet have confirmed office space - successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
Existing BDUK and DCMS staff who are currently based in London and are successful in gaining this role will be able to remain working from the London base.
Visa Sponsorship
Please take note that BDUK does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Any move to Building Digital UK from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via bdukrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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.

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)

+ Awareness and understanding of commercial processes, standards and best practice.
+ Knowledge of risk management key principles.
+ Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
+ Ability to work within multi-functional teams and be able to communicate and influence effectively.
+ Ability to prioritise and manage a diverse and demanding workload, meet deadlines and deal with unexpected changes.
+ Good written and IT skills with high attention to detail.
+ Logical problem solver with an appetite for improving the way we do things in order to deliver better outcomes.
Desirable:
+ Experience of working in a commercial or procurement environment.
+ Knowledge of procurement principles, concepts and techniques including awareness of the Procurement Regulations.
+ A relevant qualification for Procurement and / or Commercial, or a willingness to study towards one e.g. CIPS.
+ Experience of the telecoms marketplace and regulated market environment, including awareness of broadband and other telecom infrastructure technologies.

Alongside your salary of £31,745, Building Digital UK (BDUK) contributes £9,196 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%