Security Services Group (SSG) - Commercial Officer

Job summary

Security Services Group (SSG) is the MOD’s Technical Authority for electronic and physical security providing in-house expert advice, design, installation and maintenance of electronic and physical security systems across Government, prioritised towards Secret and Above Secret, and items Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO). SSG is part of GUARDIAN and is positioned within Standing Joint Command to support UK homeland security and resilience.

With an FTE of 325, SSG provides technical specialist ‘consultancy’ advice to projects to support the creation of design specifications through to commissioning; project management and delivery with through life maintenance; strategic and tactical compliance assurance reviews and audits across the business; an assured government use only Intruder Detection System built in-house; and security furniture services. Head of SSG is also the MOD’s Head of Specialism for Physical Security across the MOD (part of the Government Security Profession).

SSG’s Operational Delivery teams are the MOD’s specialist in-house security providers, delivering project management, design, installation and 24/7, 365 days a year maintenance of all aspects of electronic and physical security, with a global reach. SSG’s work is independently audited to ensure, ISO 9001:2015 and NSI compliance and accreditation as well as MOD’s own internal compliance regime. To learn more about SSG, visit Security Services Group - GOV.UK

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

We are seeking a proactive and knowledgeable Commercial Officer with a strong track record in innovation, delivery, and commercial excellence to join our Commercial Team within the Security Systems Group (SSG).

As a key member of the team, you will provide vital commercial support across a diverse range of activities, contributing to the success of projects and programmes throughout their lifecycle, from initial procurement strategy development to closure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Commercial Strategy & Execution: Support the development and implementation of SSG’s commercial strategies, including procurement of goods and services and tendering for new work.
• Sales & Contracting: Review and approve sales quotations for MOD and Other Government Department (OGD) customers. Assist in contract negotiations and placements beyond delegated authority, escalating novel or contentious issues to the Senior Commercial Officer (SCO) for resolution.
• Strategic Procurement: Implement commercial agreements that align with broader Government and public sector objectives, supporting SSG’s marketing and procurement strategies.
• Technology & Innovation: Develop a deep understanding of technology within the security services category, influencing stakeholders and shaping strategies that simplify procurement and drive efficiencies.
• Market Engagement: Lead market engagement activities to gather stakeholder input, ensuring sourcing strategies are fit for purpose and deliver world-class procurement solutions.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure all commercial activity complies with SJC, MOD, and wider Government processes, policies, and best practices, in accordance with your Commercial Letter of Delegation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Provide commercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, including senior MOD personnel. Build strong relationships across SJC, industry, and Government, requiring excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional Development: Contribute to the growth and development of SSG as a business unit, with opportunities for your own continued professional development.

Allowances:

If applicable, this role may attract the Commercial Market Skills Allowance of up to £1500 per year.

Person specification

To be successful in your application, you must demonstrate the following:

Experience & Knowledge

• Proven experience in sourcing and/or managing contracts.
• Understanding of sourcing processes from initiation to contract award.
• Awareness of public sector procurement legislation.
• Experience working in a commercial role or involvement in procurement or contract management.
• Ability to build effective, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders, contract end users, and colleagues.

Skills

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Effective stakeholder management capabilities.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office and the ability to use relevant systems and programmes.

Qualifications

• If not already held, a willingness to work towards CIPS Level 4 (or equivalent), commencing study within 18 months of appointment.
• Willingness to undertake the MOD Practitioner Commercial Licence assessment when agreed by line management.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options

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.

• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Career Development: Benefit from continuous professional development opportunities within the security field, helping you grow and advance your career.
• Equipment: Laptop and mobile phone.
• Family Support: Access enhanced parental leave policies to support work-life balance during important life events.
• Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy savings through the Defence Discount Service (fees apply), offerings deals on a range of products and services.
• Health and Wellbeing: Receive Specsavers eye test vouchers and access on-site gym facilities (where available).
• Community and Social Perks: Join the Civil Service Sports Club (CSSC) or the Civil Service Club in London, providing access to a variety of social, cultural, and recreational activities (membership fees apply).
• On-Site Amenities: Many of our locations offer free parking, subsidised canteens, sports and social clubs, and on-site shops for your convenience.
• Inclusive Workplace: Join one of our Diversity and Inclusion Networks. We value diversity and are committed to creating an equal and supportive environment for all.

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.

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles framework to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment of candidates. Your suitability for the role will be evaluated based on your experience, skills and demonstration of core behaviours throughout the process.

At application you will be assessed against the following:

Experience:

• CV: including, job history full qualification details and previous skills and experience

Technical Skill:

• Technical Competencies from the Government Commercial Function (GCF) People Standards Section B – Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options

At interview you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

What to Expect

The interview will explore both your professional experience and how your behaviours align with the role's requirements, we recommend using the STAR format when answering behaviour questions. Interviews are planned to take place via Microsoft Teams.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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 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 : Hannah McNeill, Senior Commercial Officer
• Email : Hannah.McNeill100@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

Government Commercial Function_People Standards for the Profession Opens in new window (pdf, 488kB)20240307-ArmyTLBEVP Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)Candidate Information updated_ Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)