Head of Procurement (ICT)

Background

The Parliamentary Procurement & Commercial Service (PPCS) operates to meet the requirements of both Houses of the UK Parliament (Commons and Lords). Parliament requires a range of works, goods and services contracts in a public-sector context requiring the highest standards of compliance and value for money. The PPCS ICT category sub-team supports the Parliamentary Digital Service in providing high quality ICT services to MPs, their constituency offices and the Parliamentary administration.

The successful candidate will join the team to lead and advise on procurement activities across the ICT category including OJEU, non-OJEU and framework / G-cloud competitions as appropriate. Experience of public sector procurement is desirable. ICT experience equally so but is not necessarily a disadvantage for an otherwise well qualified and experienced candidate (or a similar secondee looking to gain experience in this category). 

The Role

To provide expert procurement advice in relation to Information, Communications & Technology contracts including Cloud Services, hardware, software, support services and network.  To provide deep subject matter expertise on the use of Digital Marketplace (G-cloud) 

To manage major procurements throughout the procurement cycle i.e. getting involved in early discussions about service delivery options, developing specifications, conducting tenders and ensuring effective contract management is in place on an ongoing basis.  To maintain a procurement plan for the ICT Category, ensuring continuity and compliance of contracts that are due for expiry, renewal, or retendering.  To support the Director in drafting and taking forward policies and procedures in relation to the relevant category areas in services and supplies and governance documents.  The Person

The successful candidate will have the following skills/experience:

Detailed knowledge and significant relevant experience as a procurement professional – offering advice and managing major procurement exercises in compliance with public sector procurement regulations and related EU directives 

Personal credibility within the procurement profession and a reputation for delivering at pace, with focus and tenacity 

Proven ability using negotiating and influencing skills to produce a positive outcome 

A thorough understanding of corporate governance, compliance, risk and control mechanisms 

Experience of producing management information relevant to procurement and reviewing and developing procurement opportunities at an individual, category and whole function level 

Proven ability to deliver procurement operations through effective project arrangement or close support thereof

More information can be found in the job description.