Working in Commercial at the Ministry of Defence (MOD)

Working in the Commercial Function

Our commercial officers source, purchase and manage goods, works and/or services, ranging from disaster relief to reconstruction, and from peacekeeping to humanitarian aid. We acquire and support a huge range of equipment, services and infrastructure, anything from the latest vehicles used on the front line to new accommodation blocks for service personnel.

Commercial staff also work closely alongside other functions including finance and project management, with representatives from Industry and with other Government Departments. They also provide commercial advice, deal with intellectual property rights matters, undertake stakeholder management activities and more. Our commercial officers are key to what we do.

Commercial Fast Stream Programme Commercial fast streamers will have the opportunity to work across the Civil Service including Defence. The Fast Stream Scheme is a centrally managed Leadership and Management Development Programme, hosted by the Cabinet Office, which aims to develop individuals to take on G7 level roles.

Commercial Apprenticeship Programme

The Commercial Apprenticeship Programme offers a Commercial Apprenticeship in Procurement and Supply at Level 4, which is equivalent to the first year of a university degree. This apprenticeship provides apprentices with the technical knowledge, professional skills and practical experience expected of a high-performing, commercial procurement professional.

Over 24 months, apprentices acquire knowledge through their studies towards the Chartered Institute for Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 Diploma, while receiving on-the-job experience in the workplace. Once completed, apprentices will be fully effective commercially skilled professionals.

The programme provides apprentices with:

• A ‘cohort’ provides an inclusive, supportive learning experience which enables the group to learn from and with each other.
• Providing employer-led learning opportunities to consolidate learning alongside practical, MOD-relevant examples.
• Opportunities to access shadowing, buddies, networking and further support where required.
• Paid study leave.

The Defence Commercial Graduate Programme

The Defence Commercial Graduate Programme (DCGP) is a structured, 2-year development programme, which aims to develop graduates into high-calibre, professional, commercial officers with the ability to manage the MOD's innovative and demanding commercial business activities. 

We will provide graduates with the experiences, education, mentorship and professional qualifications they need for a long-lasting career in Procurement. 

The programme consists of:

• On-the-job learning and relevant job-specific/technical training experience via work placements within the MOD
• Professional training and qualifications via the Chartered Institute for Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 Corporate Award Practitioner (CAP) and CIPS Level 5/6 Corporate Award Advanced Practitioner (CAAP)
• A series of tailored workshops and/or relevant training
• Mentoring & Buddy system

Paid study leave

All degrees and backgrounds are welcome; the only educational requirement is that applicants have achieved or are predicted to achieve a 2:2 in their undergraduate degree. The DCGP aims to recruit individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds with varied skills and experiences, which enables the MOD to perform at its best.