Supporting the transformation of the way public services are delivered while securing best value for taxpayers’ money.
Occupational Profile
[This standard has been retired]
Those achieving Public Sector Commercial Level 4 will develop commercial capability that is vital in the public sector and valued across every sector. In the public sector a commercial professional’s role is to support the transformation of the way that the best quality public services are delivered, whilst securing value for taxpayers’ money. Experience will be gained working on high-profile, high-value, high-risk projects that affect millions of people and are worth billions of pounds each year.
The work of commercial professionals in the public sector includes the process of procurement, or buying goods and services; however, a commercial role is much broader than just procurement. This role extends to a huge range of related commercial activity such as influencing commercial policy, financial analysis, engaging in contract law, and developing strategy to deliver public services. In the public sector the variety of goods and services that commercial professionals are responsible for is vast: goods could range from buying a tank or submarine for the military, to negotiating new trains on behalf of Transport for London. Securing services could include: finding new and innovative IT systems, outsourcing translation services for a local magistrate court or closing a deal on a construction project for a new school or prison.
A good commercial professional will support their organization in sourcing and negotiating the best deals on goods and services. To fulfill this role an individual must develop skills and knowledge across all three aspects of the commercial lifecycle: pre-procurement, sourcing and contract management. Responsibilities in pre-procurement may include analysis of suppliers in the market and consideration of the best strategy to deliver the good or service. The sourcing process involves securing a contractual agreement with a supplier who is to provide the good or service. Finally, a contract management role comprises of day-to-day management of existing contracts; ultimately ensuring the good or service is being delivered to an acceptable standard. Achieving Level 4 in Public Sector Commercial will enable an individual to use their breadth and depth of experience to position themselves as a fully effective commercially skilled professional with career options that span from public to private and charity sectors.
The Following tables explain the skills, knowledge and behaviors required from a successful apprentice on completion of the programme.
Summary of standard
Full standard
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/media/1120/public_sector_commercial_professional.pdf
