Head of Category / International Development Programmes

The Programme Delivery Commercial Team (PDCT) sits within the FCDO Commercial Directorate and is responsible for delivering excellent value for money and commercial outcomes across a range of category/thematic spend delivered globally. This role is to manage a team providing Commercial Delivery and Sourcing services to a combined Thematic and Geographic portfolio.  Portfolios may change depending on prevailing business priorities.

The purpose of the role is to deliver optimal commercial outcomes across FCDOs overseas development spend.

The postholder will:

• Operate as a trusted advisor to the senior executive team (Director General, Directors and Deputy Directors) by providing expert commercial advice and challenge on strategic, complex and key investment decisions and contracts;
• Lead the commercial category management approach for their pillar;
• Lead market engagement (category & regional), prioritising supplier intelligence on the category capability of the supply base;
• Lead and manage the allocation of commercial resource to support the achievement of the Directorate’s commercial objectives and priorities;
• Commercially influencing project design via effective early market engagement;
• Invest in Commercial people, reward and celebrate success, build capability and deepen our expertise;
• Drive the agile and effective operation of the Directorate in line with FCDO priorities, Cabinet Office commercial standards and in line with budget and headcount targets for the commercial function;
• Application of full suite of public procurement routes and leading team on introduction of Procurement Reform changes due to be deployed in October 2024

FCDO is looking for an experienced leader to join the Programme Delivery Commercial Team. We are looking for inspiring individuals who understand senior stakeholder needs, can span functions, and engage collaboratively with the marketplace to deliver excellent commercial outcomes.

Locations
The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.

Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.

This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.