Senior Commercial Advisor

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides the ideal backdrop for professionals who wish to challenge themselves. Supporting UK citizens and businesses around the world, we champion the UK’s interests and act as a force for good. Tackling high profile global issues, our remit extends from reducing poverty around the globe to safeguarding the nation’s security. Our work is highly varied, and with immense scope for networking and career progression, we expose our people to the most stimulating and career-defining opportunities.

We now have a number of interesting opportunities in The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and The Prosperity Fund (PF):

• The CSSF is currently delivering more than 90 programmes. With a focus on enabling the UK government to deliver a more integrated response to fragility and conflict, this multidisciplinary team are working on initiatives across 84 countries and territories.
• The PF is a portfolio of programmes being delivered over seven years. Focussed on supporting inclusive economic growth needed to reduce poverty in partner countries, the team are creating international business opportunities.

You will deliver an integrated commercial advisory service, taking responsibility for the entire lifecycle of ambitious procurement projects. From early engagement through to delivery (including providing commercial advice relating to contract management), you will take a hands-on approach across a portfolio of fascinating programmes. Driving the best possible value for your projects, you will use your knowledge of the best routes to market to handle everything from drafting specifications through to leading on Invitations to Tender, before evaluating and awarding contracts. Seeing to it that we remain compliant with the relevant standards while delivering against business objectives, you will build compelling business cases and present your recommendations to a variety of boards, and you will provide an advisory service to regional procurement teams. If you join the CSSF, you will have line management responsibilities for one colleague, while if you join the PF, you will mentor colleagues across the team.

To excel in either of these progressive Funds, you will have previously delivered high value commercial or procurement projects. While you do not specifically need a public sector background, you will have an awareness of the regulations affecting FCDO, and you will be familiar with Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). With experience of running the entire tender process, you will be MCIPS qualified (or you will be working towards this) or have equivalent experience. With a good working knowledge of category management, you will enjoy using commercial models to develop innovative procurement strategies. As you will be using the FCDO eProcurement platform, you will be well versed in the need for accurate and timely reporting.

Join us, and take the lead in high-profile projects that will extend your skills and knowledge exponentially. With the support of a well-established senior leadership board and the chance to form partnerships across the department and beyond, this is a valuable opportunity to put your career on an interesting trajectory. Further enhanced by a generous benefits package that includes a competitive civil service pension scheme, you are sure to find what you are looking for at the FCDO.