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- Tasks: Support the Commercial Director in delivering strategic business decisions and managing commercial activities.
- Company: Join the Office for National Statistics, the UK's largest producer of official statistics.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative work environment with opportunities for innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on delivering value for money and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in project coordination, problem-solving, and effective communication is essential.
- Other info: This is a full-time role within the Government sector, offering a chance to make a real impact.
The predicted salary is between 21600 - 36000 £ per year.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social, and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration.
On behalf of ONS, Commercial Services deliver all procurement and contract management activity within the organisation and are looking to appoint an Associate Commercial Practitioner. In this role you will have an opportunity to support the Commercial Director in delivering the Commercial vision of being a key partner in strategic business decision making, adding value through innovation, collaboration, and shared sense of purpose.
You will have responsibility for providing commercial support to ONS stakeholders that enables business goals through market knowledge, effective communication, and teamwork. You will contribute to the aim of delivering value for money through innovation, cost reduction and efficiencies, with fairness, transparency, sustainability, and diversity woven into everything we do.
Commercial Services sits in the Finance Planning and Performance (FPP) Directorate. The Government Commercial Function defines how all government departments should operate commercially to guarantee consistency of commercial behaviours and purchasing across government. Commercial Services uses their standards, benchmarks and training materials for staff involved in procurement and contract management to make sure best practice is followed. The strategic aim is securing optimum value for ONS through delivery of Commercial excellence.
Are you looking for a new challenge? In this role you will work collaboratively with colleagues from within Commercial Services and stakeholders from across the business to ascertain demand and manage and deliver effective commercial activity – in line with the new step-change approach to Commercial activity delivery within ONS. You will be expected to ensure delivery compliance whilst driving the successful application of quality and Value for Money (VfM).
The post holder will also be accountable for ensuring complete end to end Commercial activity from pre-sourcing to contract management and the successful development and ongoing management of a comprehensive Commercial pipeline of work for their area of responsibility.
Role Responsibilities:
- Ensuring compliant end to end delivery of commercial activity including pre-market engagement and route to market analysis, ITT pack development, contract management and contract exit for low complexity procurements.
- Maintaining good relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Supporting the Sourcing team to deliver high volume procurements compliantly for the organisation.
- Maintaining the Commercial Pipeline to ensure consistency and an equal work allocation to the team.
- Supporting the efficiency drive in commercial by identifying Value for Money opportunities and delivering quality procurements.
Person specification:
- Experience of coordinating and completing activities to agreed timescales that deliver outcomes.
- Experience of problem solving and dispute resolution.
- Experience of working to a strategy to achieve successful outcomes as part of a team.
- An awareness of actions required to support delivery of Value for Money (VfM) and efficiency.
- Experience of relationship management and working with stakeholders (at all levels) demonstrating effective communication skills (verbal and written).
Behaviours: We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together.
Associate Commercial Practitioner employer: Office for National Statistics
Contact Detail:
Office for National Statistics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Commercial Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Office for National Statistics and its mission. Understanding their role in producing official statistics will help you align your answers during interviews with their goals and values.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the ONS, especially those in commercial roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've contributed to Value for Money (VfM) in previous roles. The ONS is focused on efficiency and cost reduction, so showcasing your relevant experience will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your teamwork and communication skills by preparing scenarios where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders. The role requires effective relationship management, so highlighting these experiences will be crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Commercial Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Associate Commercial Practitioner role. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have in procurement, contract management, or stakeholder engagement. Use specific examples to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and your understanding of Value for Money (VfM) principles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only express your interest in the position but also showcase your communication skills. Clearly articulate why you are a good fit for the role and how you can contribute to the Office for National Statistics' goals.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread all documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your formatting is consistent. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for National Statistics
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of an Associate Commercial Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with terms like 'Value for Money' and 'contract management', as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since effective communication is key in this role, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to manage relationships with stakeholders. Think of situations where you successfully influenced others or resolved disputes.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your behaviours, such as 'Communicating and Influencing' and 'Working Together'. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your teamwork and problem-solving skills.
✨Research the Office for National Statistics
Gain a solid understanding of the ONS and its mission. Being knowledgeable about their work in producing official statistics and how the Commercial Services team fits into that will show your genuine interest in the role and organisation.
