Specification Assistant

Specification Assistant; London; 6 months; £510/day

My client, a well known public sector organization is looking to recruit a Specification Assistant for an exciting new opportunity in London. The Customer Experience Specification Manager reports to the Specification Lead Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Proposal. The Specification Manager can call on the support of the Department's Technical Advisors who are engaged to provide operational, commercial and economic advice.

The post holder will clearly identify what the government wishes to buy from a customer perspective which is affordable, within government policy, takes account of stakeholder aspirations and is possible to take to market. He/she will ensure that these requirements are clearly stated, and fully incorporated into the ultimate contract.

Key tasks
*Understanding the franchise including:
oThe main elements of the current customer proposal
oRelevant stakeholder requirements for the franchise
oThe interaction between the above mentioned aspects of a rail passenger business and affordability
oThe links between specification and subsidy/premium
*Developing and maintaining relevant parts of the business case for the franchise
*Deriving the customer proposition for the franchise, based on evidence and within existing government policy
*Clearly articulating, internally and externally, what it is that government wants the franchise to deliver from a customer perspective
*Producing the customer proposal specification sections of the ITT, including any relevant priced options if any
*Producing drafting instructions for the customer proposal aspects of the Franchise Agreement
*Undertaking evaluation work of relevant aspects of the bid submissions (and possibly the pre-qualification submissions)
*Working with the franchising team to maintain relationships with bidders to ensure that all bids received have the best chance to meet the defined requirements including delivering excellent value for money.

Experience/Skills/Knowledge/Qualifications
*Knowledge of Project Management techniques and tools (including MS Project)
*Experience with the customer proposal in a service industry and preferably in a train operating company
*Knowledge of economic and financial appraisal
*Experience of procurement processes and evaluation work is a plus
*Critical thinking and problem solving skills
*Influencing and leading
*Conflict management

Security Clearance
*BPSS (DS) - Baseline Personnel Security Standard (with a Disclosure Scotland)

To discuss further please contact me via phone