Commercial & Industry - Commercial Practitioner - United States Visiting Forces

Job summary

About the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group)

We are the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group). Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), we bring together a wide range of expertise to develop, deliver, and sustain the UK’s national defence capabilities. Working closely with industry, international partners, and allies, we provide the equipment, technology, and support services that enable our armed forces to operate effectively and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

View our YouTube video to see more about our work.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

About our United States Visiting Forces (USVF) team

Within the Commercial team this role supports the United States Visiting Forces (USVF) which are permanently located at MOD sites across the UK. The team is divided into 4 work streams by location and Commercial Activity.

The teams which these roles sit within deliver major construction projects at bases around the UK covering both Procurement and Contract Management activities, ensuring the development and continuity of the United States Air Force’s (USAF) critical strategic mission in Europe. Each team is headed up by a Grade 7 with considerable Procurement experience and an SEO to whom you would report.

The team are based around the UK with small hubs around Wyton (Cambridge), Whittington (Lichfield), Andover and Glasgow and have all adopted a hybrid approach to working, with some travel to sites throughout England required.

Why join the USVF team?

USVF Commercial is a dynamic and talented, friendly team working at the heart of some of the most exciting and interesting infrastructure projects in the UK, in support of the United States Air Force mission in Europe. You will be working closely with both US military & civilian personnel and UK colleagues to deliver operational capability across the USVF sites within the UK, on a wide variety of infrastructure projects, many of considerable strategic importance. The scale and scope of these will ensure you develop your career in a demanding and varied environment which will further hone your procurement and contract management skills, build your market knowledge, and allow you to make a contribution to maintaining national security.

The size and nature of Commercial and Industry (C&I) ensures that, for the right candidate, onward career prospects are excellent.

Person specification

As a Commercial Practitioner in the USVF Commercial team

You will have a Commercial background to support and deliver capital projects preferably within construction, which may range from cost management to programme delivery.

You will be willing to work across different phases of the commercial life cycle, from leading or support key sourcing activities to contract management with the aim to meet project goals while minimising risk and ensuring value for money is considered on a sound Commercial basis. You will be accountable for ensuring adherence to and conformity with all agreed C&I processes and operating procedures, and particularly those which are detailed under the key infrastructure process for Commercial and relate to end to end project management.

You will work with Project Managers, the US customer and a wide range of stakeholders to provide commercial advice and assurance to the many infrastructure projects within the portfolio.

A typical day could involve:

• Assist in writing a Commercial Strategy
• Working with project managers to develop a forthcoming requirement for a new military installation
• Joining a project call with the customer and delivery team to give updates on the project
• Assisting with drafting criteria for evaluating a future procurement and evaluating bid proposals for a new construction project
• Drafting an options paper to support your manager in a negotiation
• Approving a contract variation or attending a meeting with team members and the US customer at one of the base sites

You will have the opportunity to further develop your skills in researching supplier markets, commercial strategies, contract drafting and contract management. The scale and scope of USVF projects mean you will have the opportunity to liaise with many other teams, including legal, finance, risk management, cyber security, technical service providers who support our projects and of course, the contractors with whom we are working.

Although some of the workload is programmed, the nature of the work we do in USVF means that the successful candidate can expect to work in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide input to Commercial Strategy and associated contracting strategy as required following RIBA 2020 stages and NEC contracting models
• Support commercial relationships with suppliers, with a principal objective of achieving optimal cost and performance
• Undertake end to end contract management and offer commercial advice and guidance
• Comply with regulations and policy affecting procurement and adopt commercial best practice and maintain auditable records of commercial activities
• Support fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities including tendering, spend pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, negotiations, and supplier consolidation
• Collaborate with members of the team including project, technical, finance and specialist staff, to deliver Customer requirements

Essential Criteria

• UK Citizens with no additional nationality (Open Sole UK Nationals Only)
• You must become a qualified Commercial Officer to Practitioner Level. This means you must already be in possession of CIPS Level 4 (as a minimum) or work towards it within 2 years or as soon as practically possible
• You will be required to undertake mandated pre-requisite training to be issued with a Commercial Licence as soon as practicably possible following appointment
• You will be required to travel to relevant UK MOD locations on occasion
• You will possess excellent communication, written, verbal, and stakeholder management skills
• You will have the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, organisation, time management, and problem-solving skills
• You will possess relevant sourcing experience conducting end-to-end procurement process across an area of responsibility ideally with a background in projects and construction
• You will possess relevant Contract Management experience across an area of responsibility ideally with a background in projects and construction
• You will be a passionate self-starter with the highest integrity and ethics

Desirable Experience and Skills

• You will possess relevant Contract Management experience across an area of responsibility ideally with a background in projects and construction
• Strong negotiator with proven experience in setting strategies and conducting negotiations
• Extensive knowledge of the basic types of commercial agreement structures and the function and purpose of key legal terms
• Strong experience assessing risk and concisely explaining complex issues to principal business owners
• Experience leading and managing others
• Possesses experience of procuring and managing an NEC Form of Contract
• Experience of utilising NEC 4 industry standard terms and conditions to manage contracts or a willingness to undertake training immediately upon starting the role
• Experience of negotiations

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level - Section 2 - Sourcing - 3. Executing the Sourcing Strategy - Developing and issuing the bidders pack
• Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level - Section 3 - Contract Management - 4. Supplier Relationship Management - Relationship Management
• Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level - Section 2 - Sourcing - 3. Executing the Sourcing Strategy - Developing the sourcing strategy
• Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level - Section 3 - Contract Management - 3. Contract Performance Management - Measuring and Monitoring contract performance

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level - Section 2 - Sourcing - 3. Executing the Sourcing Strategy - Developing and issuing the bidders pack
• Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level - Section 3 - Contract Management - 4. Supplier Relationship Management - Relationship Management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Highly competitive Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Opportunity to join one of our several D&I Networks. We value diversity and are committed to being an equal opportunities employer
• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Most sites have free car parking, Sports & Social Clubs, Gym, on site shops and subsidised canteens

Allowances

Commercial Market Skills Allowance (MSA) £1500 - if eligible and certain conditions met.

Employment Hours

The post advertised is for 37 hours net, however the Ministry of Defence offers a range of flexibilities to enable a better work-life balance for employees. Flexible working, Part-time working and Job Share working patterns will be considered.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD 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/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working

environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

Please ensure that at the application and interview stages of the campaign you review the Success Profiles Framework and Commercial Skills and Competency Framework to assist you in the demonstration of your skills and experience.

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile and the Commercial Skills and Competency Framework elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly, and the successful candidate will be appointed on merit.

Please provide your evidence using the STAR Technique using the attached information on how to apply.

Situation: Describe the situation you found yourself in. You must describe a specific event or situation. Be sure to give enough detail for the job holder to understand. Where are you? Who was there with you? What had happened?

Task: The recruitment panel will want to understand what you tried to achieve from the situation you found yourself in. What was the task that you had to complete and why? What did you have to achieve?

Action: What did you do? The recruitment panel will be looking for information of what you did, how you did it and why. Keep the focus on you. What specific steps did you take and what was your contribution? Remember to include how you did it, and the behaviours you used. Try to use “I” rather than “we” to explain your actions that lead to the result. Be careful not to take credit for something that you did not do.

Result: Don’t be shy about taking credit for your behaviour. Quote specific facts and figures easily understandable. What results did the actions produce? What did you achieve through your actions, and did you meet your goals? Was it a successful outcome? If not, what did you learn from the experience? Keep the situation and task parts brief.

Concentrate on the action and the result. If the result was not entirely successful describe what you learned from this and what you would do differently next time. Make sure you focus on your strengths. When providing your evidence please ensure that you avoid acronyms and company specific jargon.

At Application you will be assessed against the following:

Experience:

• CV- detailing Job History
• Personal Statement - As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of 750 words, the purpose for this, is for you to showcase your relevant skills and experience against the role responsibilities. The statement is your opportunity to give examples of how you fit the requirements of the role.

When writing a personal statement, it is important that you:

• Read the job advert so you are clear about the job requirements
• Outline the skills and experience that you have that are relevant to the job and use examples to help demonstrate this
• Keep to the word limit, if your statement is too brief it will not provide the required depth of detail and evidence to be assessed fully

We require you to provide evidence and a demonstration of specific skills, knowledge or transferable experience. This will allow you to provide evidence to show a more rounded picture of your suitability for the role.

Technical: Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level:

• Section 2 - Sourcing - 3. Executing the Sourcing Strategy - Developing and issuing the Bidders Pack
• Section 3 - Contract Management - 4. Supplier Relationship Management - Relationship management

Please review the Commercial Skills and Competency element that we require evidence on, please ensure that you review and understand the description of this testing element at Practitioner level.

At interview you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical: Commercial Skills and Competency Framework - Practitioner Level:

• Section 2 - Sourcing - 3. Executing the Sourcing Strategy - Developing the sourcing strategy
• Section 3 - Contract Management - 3. Contract Performance Management - Measuring and monitoring contract performance

We want to offer opportunities to all who are successful at interview for our roles, but this isn't always possible, so we do hold candidates on an active reserve list for 12 months.

Application sifting is scheduled to take place on week commencing: 26th October 2026 following vacancy closure.

Interviews are currently taking place remotely through a digital platform, this will be confirmed with the successful candidates who are invited to an interview and will be conducted week commencing: Interview dates to be confirmed.

A minimum of 2 full working days’ notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavour to stick to these dates, but these are subject to change around business needs.

To assist with your application please find attached below:

1. Commercial Skills and Competency Framework

Further information:

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.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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 also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

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

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : People, Business and Finance Team
• Email : DIOComrcl-BIResourcingTeam@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Defence Internal Brief Notice Opens in new window (docx, 39kB)Commercial Skills and Competency Framework_v1_Sep17-O (3) Opens in new window (pdf, 3053kB)Defence Civil Service Offer (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB)