Job overview

This exciting position is for those people who have a thirst for commercial outcomes that have a real impact on how the ambulance service manages its emergency communications. We seek individuals who share our sense of purpose and embrace the challenge of getting things done in a complex, mission-critical Emergency Services environment.  This requires the management of a portfolio of contracts, the management of change, and administration of key commercial systems and processes (eg: procurement and contract management systems).

The successful candidate will be supported by a strong team of commercial professionals who have joined the team from a variety of backgrounds, and we value the contribution that our team brings.

The post is anticipated to be home-based but depending on the location and preference of the successful candidate, it will be possible to work out of one of ARP’s offices (there are currently offices in Barnsley, Bristol and Central London). It is expected that for home-based candidates there will be a need for occasional travel to one of the offices or to meet external colleagues and/or other members of the ARP team. 

We encourage applications from anyone with a passion for positive commercial outcomes that enhance patient care.  Although the role is scoped as a full-time role, we encourage applications from individuals that may require flexible working arrangements.

Main duties of the job

No two days are the same for this role. The Commercial Officer plays a key role in administering systems and processes that support the broader ARP Commercial team.  This role also comes with contract management responsibilities for a portfolio of critical ‘Bronze’ (lower complexity) contracts and will support the management and monitoring of commercial risks and issues.  The successful candidate will need to interact frequently with other ARP colleagues, suppliers and Ambulance Trusts across  Great Britain.  The role also requires frequent engagement with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which provides funding for most activities within the Ambulance Radio Programme.

This role also provides the successful candidate with significant development opportunities through the Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP), or external professional qualifications (such as Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply – CIPS).

·        Find out more about the CMCP here

·        Find out more about CIPS qualifications here

Working for our organisation

The Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP) is an enduring organisation directly appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to provide and upgrade emergency communications for UK ambulance services. 

ARP has a team of over eighty staff consisting of commercial, finance, project, implementation, technical, user assurance and service colleagues. They are based all over the country to support the successful delivery and maintenance of a £460m programme of work. The aim of ARP is to implement new technology that provides innovation and enhances patient care with the latest equipment. ARPs solutions also play a longer-term role in preparing the ambulance service for the adoption of the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network (ESN).

ARP is currently in the process of introducing an array of new technology-based services to Ambulance Trusts and Air Ambulance charities. The Services include the introduction of new technology to the national Ambulance fleet (approx. 6500 vehicles) and upgrading and developing new, data-rich communications products (apps and hardware) for use by over 15,000 frontline paramedic and Control Room staff. Overall, ARP is responsible for providing an end-to-end service covering installation, maintenance, and replacement, which plays a key role in enabling effective response to critical life-threatening incidents.