Job Specifications
East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber
Job Summary
This position is based Nationally
Job Description
The Environmental Training, Advice and Facilitation Framework (ETAFF) is a flexible tool used by NE and other Defra family bodies to contract in farm and land management advice services from vetted and approved Suppliers. The Environmental Contracted Services (ECS) Team run the operation of the Framework and is comprised of Senior Contract Managers, Contract Managers, and a claims team, all supported by an Operations Senior Officer and the Framework Manager. They work closely with the commissioning team’s key staff, Defra Group Commercial (Procurement) and the Suppliers themselves.
Job Description
The Operations Senior Officer will help manage the application of our Framework Contracts and be a key contact for our own staff, strategic delivery partners including CSF, Defra and others using this delivery vehicle. You will support the Framework Manager in giving sound advice on Framework interpretation and actively promoting take up by Natural England and other Authorities who may apply the Framework to their projects and programmes. You will also support the Framework Contract Management team in delivering best practice, provide technical and operational guidance and ensuring effective governance and framework management, quickly developing excellent relationships internally and externally.
Key Tasks/tasks/principle Accountabilities.
Work across the whole Framework, providing support for the Farm Advice Framework Manager.
Provide technical and operational support and training to the wider Framework Delivery team (Senior Contract Managers, Contract Managers and Claims Team).
Act as the main contact with the CSF national team on the development and management of advice specifications/reports/guidance.
Work with the Framework Delivery team and the external Suppliers to support the delivery of the mini contracts ensuring that the training/advice is delivered to the contracted quality, timescales and volumes whilst encouraging innovation & continuous improvement.
Ensure the Framework documentation is up to date and meets current legislation/guidance, updating and developing new guidance when required.
Finance And Reporting:
Provide functional management of the Claims team including large claim authorisation.
Provide an oversight of Framework claim processing, providing guidance and support and be able to handle data responsibly and understand delegations, governance and follow policies and procedures.
Have oversight of budgets for tendered work, providing updates as requested to the Framework Manager, Finance team, Defra, CSF Programme team and RPA.
Oversee the programme of National Audit Office (NAO) audits and inspections in relation to Framework contracts, acting accordingly on the outcomes of these.
Project Planning And Delivery:
Oversee the project plan (pipeline) for delivery and work with the Framework Delivery Team to ensure progress against delivery requirements.
Work with contract commissioners to understand their advice requirements in support of their programmes and schemes.
Work with the Framework Manager, GFF Programme and Area Teams to advocate the use of the Framework and horizon scan for future work and new opportunities.
Support and work with NE and Defra Group Commercial (DGC) to ensure the timely procurement of mini contracts.
Skills And Knowledge
Knowledge and experience of budget and contract/project management including finance and procurement (Essential)
Knowledge and experience of contract and contractor/supplier management tools and techniques including risk management and benefits realisation (Essential)
Possess excellent communication skills. An ability to analyse and present findings succinctly is required, so written and verbal skills are important. On occasions you may have to provide outputs quickly and robustly to defend NE positions. (Essential)
Be able to address the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses (Essential)
Knowledge of Agri-environment Schemes, Catchment Sensitive Farming and the agricultural/land management sectors would be useful but not essential (Desirable)
Good IT skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint and SOP. (Desirable)
How To Apply
We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at appli
About the Company
Natural England is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Our purpose is to protect and improve England’s natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings. Please note: we do not respond to queries on social media.
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