Principal Adviser

Single Source Regulations Office

Principal Adviser

Employer: Single Source Regulations Office

Sector: Non-Departmental Public Body

Location: London with hybrid working

Salary: Up to £82,500 and Civil Service Pension + Zones 1-6 London oyster card + 30 days holiday and bank holidays. A higher salary may be available for exceptional candidates

This post is available on a permanent basis, or a 2-year fixed term appointment or secondment basis.
Closing Date: 5 February at 17:00

An opportunity has arisen to join the Pricing and Economics within the team at the Single Source Regulations Office – the body tasked with regulating the UK government’s ‘single source’, or non-competitive, procurement of military goods, works and services.

The SSRO is a public body that supports the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts. The framework places controls on contract prices and requires transparency from defence contractors. Some of the UK’s most significant defence capabilities are procured under this framework. In carrying out its functions, the SSRO aims to ensure that government obtains good value for money in its expenditure on qualifying defence contracts, and that contractors are paid fair and reasonable prices.

This role is central to delivering the SSRO’s operational outputs. You will collaborate with colleagues on some of the SSRO’s highest profile work, including the publication of guidance for the MOD and contractors on the pricing of single source contracts and recommendations to the Secretary of State on the profit rates that should apply to those contracts. This is an outward-facing role, and you will interact regularly with officials in the Ministry of Defence and representatives from the global defence industry.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate they can grasp unfamiliar and complex topics with ease and deliver high quality advice and guidance which supports strategic and operational objectives. You will be a confident and articulate communicator, both in person and in writing, and able to make an impact by applying yourself to continuously improve the regulation of defence contracts. You will be able to demonstrate collaborative approach to working and the ability to establish your credibility as an authoritative voice with internal and external stakeholders, which is important to succeed in the role.

We would be particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate a track record in:

• pricing and negotiation of contracts in relation to public sector procurement – in particular defence;
• the application of price controls in regulated industries; and/or
• detailed analyses of firms, industries, and markets with a focus on defence.

You will report to the Head of Pricing and Economics in the Operations Directorate and line manage up to two members of staff. You will be an important part of a dynamic organisation. Our staff have a range of professional skills, including accountants, lawyers, analysts, economists, and military experts. We are a highly able, committed, and collaborative team with a culture of continuous improvement in how we deliver our work.

The role will require you to undergo national security vetting to the level of Security Check (SC).

Applying for the position

To be considered, please submit:

• A supporting statement of no more than 2 pages, clearly explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as outlined in the person specification, using suitable examples; and
• Your CV setting out your qualifications and experience. This should indicate any professional bodies of which you are a member.
• As part of the interview process you will be required to submit a written piece of work and provide a short presentation. The details of this will be provided to you should you be invited to interview for the role.

Applications that do NOT contain a supporting statement will be rejected. Applications need to be sent to our HR Manager, Ruaidhri Magee by email via the button below alongside your equality monitoring form.

What will I be doing?
Responsibilities

• Be a trusted and reliable part of the leadership team for the delivery of the SSRO’s pricing functions, providing support to your colleagues, the Board, MOD officials and defence industry representatives.
• Improve the single source regulatory framework by developing practical, evidence-based methodologies and guidance in a way that can be understood and applied by parties to single source contracts and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with staff across the SSRO and work successfully in multi-disciplinary teams, including project teams drawn from across other established teams. Manage and lead such teams as required.
• Direct, review and advise on analysis and its interpretation in relation to the application of the single source regime.
• Lead complex projects and take responsibility for delivering high quality, timely outputs, including in relation to: guidance on allowable costs and profit adjustments; assessment of profit rates for single source contracts; questions referred to the SSRO for opinion or determination; opportunities to ensure value for money and fair and reasonable prices.
• Engage actively with internal and external stakeholders and manage and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Take full responsibility for delivering high quality, timely outputs.
• Represent the SSRO in meetings and other forums, participating actively and constructively in line with the SSRO’s vision, values, objectives and priorities.
• Communicate the SSRO’s work with influence, including preparing high quality documents. Draft briefings and reports in a language and style that conveys technical information in a way that is easy for non-technical audiences to comprehend.
• Contribute to development of the SSRO’s strategic direction and help achieve its statutory aims, by providing thought-leading, expert input to the preparation of plans, strategies and policies.
• Recruit the right people, manage them effectively and inspire them to deliver their best.
• Act with integrity, apply the SSRO’s governance procedures, and promote good governance.
• Investigate and make best use of available technology and contribute to the delivery of new and innovative ways to deliver our work that improve quality and efficiency
• Promote the SSRO’s values.
• Such other duties as the SSRO may require, in line with business need.

What skills do I need to be effective in this role?
Person specification
Essential

• Educated to at least degree level in an analytical subject such as accountancy, economics or finance, or equivalent postgraduate training, professional qualification or experience demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of a relevant subject matter.
• Excellent leadership and communication: Proven, demonstrable ability to communicate with credibility and authority, lead the debate in your area of responsibility, convey information to the intended audience and deliver high quality publications style that conveys complex matters in an accessible way.
• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyse and quality-assure quantitative and qualitative data, lead the development of research and analysis, and generate insight and evidence for policy advice which takes account of the bigger picture.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders (including at senior executive level), to flexibly apply your skills across a range of topics and outputs and work co-operatively and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent project, time and resource management skills, with a track record of delivering results to time, cost and quality standards in a complex, dynamic and sometimes fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to learning and development for themselves and their team.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the areas of single source defence contracting or other regulated industries.
• Knowledge of defence procurement, transfer pricing, regulatory economics, corporate finance and accounting, or understanding and applying statutory regulations.
• Experience of handling sensitive matters and data (commercial, government, intelligence or military).