Commercial Officer (EGS Programmes)

This is a really exciting opportunity to work within Defra Group Commercial and use your commercial expertise to directly contribute towards improving and protecting them environment. We are recruiting into 1 SEO role within the Environmental Goods & Services ("EG&S") Strategy & Programmes Team. We are a team of 7 responsible for commercial support to Defra's major environmental projects and programmes such as the Water System Reform providing programme, the Natural Capital Eco Assessment (NCEA) programme and the Collection and Packaging Reforms programme. As well as this, we provide strategic advice and procurement support to Defra's Environmental Goods and Services category which sources environmental goods and services across four sub-categories - Vets and Labs, Research and Development (R&D), Land User & Biodiversity and Monitoring & Related Services. We also manage Defra's Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) contracts that are strategically significant agreements to help Defra group measure, assess and continuously improve the effectiveness of its policy interventions, research and evidence programmes and grant schemes. In this role you will lead procurement activity that supports delivery of key programmes such as Natural Capital Eco Assessment (NCEA) and lead the management of Defra's suite of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) contracts. The role will involve the following:

• Provide support that facilitates delivery of projects, procurements and contract management roles providing functional / specialist input to improve ways of working and business change & efficiency.
• Responsible for explaining specialist commercial guidance to operational teams to influence compliance with Defra policy / legislation / best practice ways of working and contribute to the delivery of business plans.
• Keep up to date on changing legislation / best practice externally, to inform internal priorities and appropriate alignment.
• Contribute to the development of Defra policy / process at national / local level and monitor and advise on effective implementation in the business, in line with environmental targets.
• Build and sustain effective relationships with operational staff and customers to understand issues and provide effective response / steer for operational needs.
• Provide support such that in the delivery of contracts sustainable impacts and opportunities are identified and managed throughout the commercial lifecycle.
• Mentor and coach others on commercial procedures, practices and techniques equipping them with the knowledge and skills to deliver their work in an effective and efficient manner.
• Manage team members to deliver results on time, to required quality standards and cost to fulfil the business plan and achieve / support environmental goals.
• Maximise the efficient and effective use of resources (including electronic sourcing) and people to ensure that all activities are completed to time, cost and quality targets.
• Provide support to facilitate the development of Defra sub-category and category plans.