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- Tasks: Support project delivery and procurement for the Environment Agency’s Flood Defence Programme.
- Company: Join Defra, a key government department focused on environment and rural economy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental projects while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, organisational abilities, and experience in project delivery.
- Other info: Part-time options available; work in a dynamic team across various locations.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about delivering value for money to customers? Have you got experience of working in a project delivery environment? If so, we would like to hear from you.
As a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Commercial Officer, you will report to a Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Senior Commercial Officer and will undertake activities at the appropriate level. Defra Group Commercial (DGC) is part of Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the central Government Department responsible for growing the rural economy; improving the environment; and safeguarding animal and plant health. DGC is responsible for providing a commercial service to organisations within the Defra Network.
As an HEO, you will have the opportunity to be involved in the procurement and delivery of the Environment Agency’s Flood Defence Programme and will be involved in a range of different projects including new flood defence schemes, existing asset refurbishment and habitat restoration projects. The role is to assist customers to deliver value effectively and innovatively through the procurement of key contracts to meet the customer organisations outcomes and objectives, whilst also fulfilling its Spending Review targets.
The role involves promoting commercial policies and procedures whilst influencing final outcomes. It includes the provision of expert advice to internal customers on commercial issues and governance, and operational support to the team.
- You will provide support to internal customers to deliver value effectively and innovatively, so the customer organisation outcomes and objectives can be met alongside achievement of key corporate targets.
- Be required to award and monitor low-medium value, lower risk contracts in accordance with Defra’s commercial policies and procedures.
- Be expected to act with integrity and deliver value for money whilst applying commercial principles and life cycle.
- Engage with colleagues across the country, building their Commercial network both internally and through the wider Defra network and Government Bodies.
- Receive development opportunities for higher value and risk contracts.
We are looking for candidates who:
- Demonstrate excellent communicating and influencing skills.
- Are well organised and able to prioritise tasks.
- Form positive working relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers including influencing and challenging to gain the best outcome as well as seeking to improve processes and ways of working.
- Have experience of analysing information including financial information and make recommendations based on the evidence.
- Work within agreed policies and processes and promote those standards in the way you work.
- Have experience of identifying risks and issues and developing plans to mitigate.
- Invest in their own development which might include keeping up to date on legislation, best practice or developing industry knowledge.
- Are proficient with Microsoft suite of products including Outlook, Excel and Sharepoint.
Alongside your salary of £34,765, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,071 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Contract: Part Time working will be considered for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Location: Of the three available posts, one will be based in each geographical hub:
- Post 1 - Bristol or Exeter
- Post 2 - Worthing or Reading
- Post 3 - Warrington
Job Contact: Name: HR Resourcing Delivery Email: Recruitment team
Commercial Officer in Reading employer: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Contact Detail:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Officer in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Defra through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the role and help us stand out when we apply.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent projects related to flood defence and environmental policies. Showing that we’re clued up on current issues will impress the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! Role-play common interview questions with a friend, focusing on how we can influence and build relationships, just like the job requires.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed and shows we’re serious about joining the team at Defra.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Officer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Commercial Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated, influenced others, and delivered value in previous roles. We want to see your practical experience in action.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Commercial Officer and the specific projects you'll be involved in, like the Flood Defence Programme. Brush up on Defra's commercial policies and procedures so you can speak confidently about how you would apply them.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your excellent communication and influencing skills. Think of situations where you've successfully built relationships with colleagues or customers, and be ready to discuss how you tackled challenges to achieve the best outcomes.
✨Be Organised
Demonstrate your organisational skills by discussing how you prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects. You might want to share a specific instance where your planning led to successful project delivery, especially in a procurement context.
✨Stay Current
Show your commitment to personal development by mentioning any recent training or knowledge you've gained about industry best practices or legislation. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and readiness to contribute effectively to the team.