Commercial Practitioner

Job summary

As part of the NCA’s Commercial Function, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Agency’s mission to protect the public from serious and organised crime. Working at the centre of the organisation, you will partner with operational and corporate teams to provide high‑quality commercial expertise across policy development, strategic planning, sourcing, and contract management.

These roles sit within the NCA’s multi‑year commercial transformation programme, offering a rare opportunity to shape how the Agency procures critical goods and services that enable frontline operations. You will gain significant exposure to complex commercial activity, high‑value portfolios, and senior stakeholders - experience that is difficult to match elsewhere in the Civil Service.

Please note that the role may involve occasional travel to other NCA sites and partner locations. Loan and Secondment candidates will be appointed for 24 months.

Job description

The Commercial Practitioner role is dynamic, fast‑paced and hands‑on. You will support the delivery of high‑quality commercial outcomes by managing multiple priorities and helping the team navigate a wide range of commercial challenges. Working across the full procurement lifecycle, you will contribute to delivering commercial excellence and a responsive, customer‑focused service for the NCA.

You will apply commercial and procurement frameworks to support each stage of the process - from gathering, validating and refining business requirements informed by market insight, through to supporting contract award, mobilisation, and the transition into effective contract and supplier management.

Collaboration is central to the role, and you will work closely with colleagues across the wider Commercial Function and operational teams. At the same time, you will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence, managing your workload proactively, balancing competing demands, and adapting to evolving operational priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supplier & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Build effective working relationships with senior stakeholders within supplier organisations, establishing appropriate governance, communication, and performance arrangements.
• Lead supplier engagement across various stages of the procurement lifecycle to enhance market understanding and ensure effective competition.
• Use strategic relationships and appropriate methods to manage risks and assure high‑quality, reliable and timely delivery of goods and services, including in single‑supplier scenarios.

Performance, Compliance & Contract Mobilisation

• Apply organisational and government‑wide KPIs to measure supplier performance and support continuous improvement.
• Work effectively with the contract management function during the contract mobilisation phase to ensure a smooth transition and robust ongoing management.
• Debrief unsuccessful suppliers, providing constructive, transparent feedback in line with procurement regulations.

Procurement Delivery & Tender Management

• Lead and manage the end‑to‑end tendering process, ensuring compliance, transparency, and timely delivery.
• Develop comprehensive bidder packs, including reviewing and clarifying specifications, drafting evaluation tools, and identifying appropriate pricing and incentivisation mechanisms for simple and low‑value procurements.
• Brief and train evaluators in the use of e‑sourcing tools, including managing supplier correspondence and supporting compliant evaluation processes.
• Participate in strategic and commercial negotiations to secure value for money and align with business objectives.

Risk, Assurance & Governance

• Identify and communicate perceived and relevant areas of risk - including cyber, personnel, and physical security risks - and gain agreement on appropriate mitigation approaches.
• Apply cost models and associated commercial and security considerations to support sound commercial decision‑making.

Project Management

• Apply strong visual project management approaches to plan, track, and report procurement activity.

Workload Management

• Manage and prioritise your workload effectively, balancing competing demands and adapting to evolving operational needs within a fast‑paced environment.

Person specification

Person Specification

The below expected skills and behaviours are aligned to the Government Commercial Function (GCF) People Standards for the Profession - People standards for the commercial profession - GOV.UK

Stakeholder Management

• Works effectively with internal and external stakeholders to understand business needs, align with wider cross‑government strategies, and translate these into informed category strategies.
• Communicates clearly with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring they understand progress, benefits delivered, and the strategic rationale behind commercial decisions.
• Applies relevant standards to prevent corruption, fraud, and unethical behaviour in supply chains, taking appropriate and timely action in response to any alleged breaches.

Commercial Acumen

• Demonstrates an understanding of how markets and basic economic factors influence market structure and supplier behaviour.
• Understands business requirements and translates them into clear category objectives that support organisational and operational needs.
• Recognises the importance of considering the full category management lifecycle from the outset of commercial activity.
• Identifies patterns of historic spend, locates areas of the organisation with current or future needs, and uses this insight to inform commercial planning.
• Applies tools and techniques to benchmark the current state of a category and help determine future requirements, seeking guidance where appropriate.
• Understands the varying security requirements of government departments and applies them proportionately to all contracts and commercial activity.

Leadership

• Demonstrates resilience when resolving issues, contributing to a positive team environment and supporting others through setbacks.
• Reflects on personal strengths, development needs, and career goals, taking proactive steps to build capability.
• Shares knowledge and best practice within the team to support collective development.
• Adapts communication style to suit different audiences and situations.
• Responds flexibly to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on business objectives and priorities.

Commercial Sourcing

• Identifies required goods, services, and suitable markets or suppliers, using insight to inform sourcing decisions.
• Contributes to the development of category and sourcing strategies and implements agreed sourcing plans.
• Understands the importance of baselining costs to establish expected benefits and supports the creation of robust sourcing plans.
• Recognises the benefits set out in business cases and understands how these relate to their role in delivering commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrates the value of effective negotiation skills and contributes to negotiations under guidance.
• Applies the procurement regulatory framework appropriately and understands how it supports the delivery of departmental policy objectives.

Desirable Criteria

Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.CIPS/ MCIPS or relevant Commercial qualification and experience.Virtual Open Evening Event

To find out more about the role and the application process we will be holding virtual opening evenings via MS Teams on Monday 23rd March at 6pm.

This event is by invitation only.

To register, please click on the following link Virtual Event registration - Commercial - Monday 23rd March 2026 – Fill in form.

You will be asked for your name and email address.

Registration will close on 22nd March at 23:45.

You will not be able to register after this date and time.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Track record in the delivery of cost savings or service level improvements and reporting against them.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels using different communication styles.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,326, National Crime Agency contributes £13,130 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

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.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Track record in the delivery of cost savings or service level improvements and reporting against them.

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels using different communication styles.

Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within you CV are as follows: Please provide a concise CV that clearly demonstrates your understanding of procurement law and public procurement regulations. A strong CV will highlight roles where you applied regulatory knowledge, ensured compliance and supported legally robust procurement activity.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Track record in the delivery of cost savings or service level improvements and reporting against them. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Additional assessment methods used alongside InterviewAs part of the assessment process In-Tray exercise will be required to assess the criteria outlined below:A short in‑tray task assessing the technical criteria listed. Details will be provided to successful candidates from sift.

This will be conducted at the beginning of the interview.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Managing a Quality Service

• Making Effective Decisions

• Communicating and Influencing

Technical

• Track record in the delivery of cost savings or service level improvements and reporting against them.

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels using different communication styles.

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced

Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying VettingIndividuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.

Occupational Health

Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.

Multi Location

Where multiple locations are advertised, appointments will be made in merit order per location.

Indicate your preferences clearly; you may be posted to any preferred location. If you decline a post at a location you selected, another offer may not be made.

Only advertised locations are available, any notes added to the application will not be considered.

Near Miss

If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.

Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.

All offers are made based on merit.

Hybrid Working

The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustments

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.

If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk before the advert closing date.

Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and 'Reasonable Adjustments' sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.

For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme , Civil Service Careers.

Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.

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

Security

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

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 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 : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.