Head of Procurement (Policy and Compliance)

This post is permanent.

Scope of the job

Background

The Parliamentary Procurement and Commercial Service (PPCS) ensures that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords obtain the goods, services and construction works required to allow them to carry out their vital work. Parliament procures major and complex works, ICT, Catering, Library Services, Human Resources and a wide range of other goods and services in a public sector context requiring the highest standards of compliance and value for money. Contract values vary from a few £1,000 to £100M Works contracts.

This post is at the heart of the team, making sure that the commercial tools, processes and templates needed are available to deliver compliant procurements, providing procurement advice and business support and assisting Director of PPCS in delivering his role and links to the wider House of Commons and House of Lords.

Main objective

The Head of Procurement (Policy and Compliance) will support and advise the Director of PPCS in developing policies and processes that support an innovative, commercially sound and legally compliant function working on behalf of both Houses of Parliament. The post holder will deputise for the Director when required and represent PPCS across the stakeholder community including working with Cabinet Office. This is very much a customer-facing role, no two days are the same, so a friendly, can-do attitude is a must.

Key internal and external relationships

House of Lords and House of Commons Directors of Finance, customers and contract managers in both Houses; Legal Services; Internal audit; the Diversity and Inclusion Teams, the professional procurement community including other parliaments and assemblies, central and local government and the Contract Management Community. Supply Chain and Supplier Management specialists.

Main responsibilities

Line management and budgetary responsibilities

Line management of 2 – 4 staff.

Focus for all non-staff budget management.

Other responsibilities of the post

• Responsible for supporting the Director of the service in establishing and managing delivery of the strategy and policy for procurement and contract management across Parliament, taking responsibility for managing and developing the governance and performance management processes.
• Support the Director of the service in establishing, updating and implementing procurement policy ensuring it takes account of developments in the legal and policy context, of the priorities and concerns of Member committees, the Management Boards and customers, of other critical aspects such as Corporate and Social Responsibility, sustainability and risk, and of differences between the two Houses.
• Develop and manage all aspects of procurement performance to ensure that the overall targets are translated into measurable outcomes including:
  • Develop and manage tools to ensure that efficiencies achieved through procurement are both tracked and realised appropriately
  • Develop a range of targets and key performance indicators for procurement activities and procurement projects
  • Ensure availability of accurate and timely procurement management information, including accurate spend and supplier data and assuring quality of all required information
  • Ensuring the approach to managing supplier risk is fit for purpose and aligns with Parliament’s approach to risk
  • Lead on the development and use of procurement processes, standard operating procedures, methods and tools across categories to ensure best practice
• Take lead on sourcing and supplier management processes and systems.
• Principal liaison point for PPCS in dealings with the Cabinet Office and with other policy units in Parliament responsible for Social Value, Modern Slavery, Supply Chain and Supplier Management.
• Responsible for developing and delivering commercial awareness presentations and training.
• This is a senior managerial post and the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the pay band as instructed by the Director and in accordance with business need.

 

Person specification

The qualifications required for the post  (CIPS Level 6) or an equivalent qualification or experience.

The knowledge, skills and experience required for the post are outlined below. Each element will be assessed in the examples you provide in your application form. Should you be shortlisted, these areas will be assessed in more depth at interview and, if appropriate, in a test.

Our Values

The House of Lords Administration has four values: respect, inclusivity, professionalism and responsibility. Our behaviours sit alongside our values, translating them into day-to-day actions and demonstrating how we bring our values to life. They outline what we can expect from each other at work and ensure we all play our part in building an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.

The values and behaviours are applicable to everyone who works for the House of Lords. As colleagues and representatives of the Administration, everything we do and say counts. The post holder will be expected to operate in line with the House of Lords workplace values which are:

Respect - We treat people with respect and expect to be treated with respect.

Inclusivity - We embrace and value difference and diversity –whether from a person’s race, gender, other characteristics, background or experience.

Professionalism - We aim for and value a high level of skills and expertise. We act with integrity and openness, putting public service first.

Responsibility - We take ownership of our work and actions. We hold each other to account, take appropriate risks and continue learning.

 

Competencies

Essential

•Knowledge and Experience - Detailed knowledge and significant relevant experience as a procurement professional – offering advice and managing procurement exercises in compliance with public sector procurement regulations and EU procurement directives at pace, with focus and tenacity. Must be able to command respect amongst fellow procurement professionals.

•Procurement Delivery - Proven ability to deliver procurement operations through effective client management and to develop rapport with colleagues and contacts, utilising negotiating and influencing skills to produce a positive outcome

•Contract Management - An understanding of contract management including risk analysis and performance monitoring

•Communication and Collaboration - Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with senior management and staff and external advisors at all levels, both specialists and non-specialists to promote the function.

•Organised and Methodical - Well organised, methodical approach to work with an ability to prioritise and multitask

•Quick learner with initiative - Ability to learn quickly and exercise initiative and seek ways to improve service delivery

Desirable

•Experience of translating practical procurement knowledge intowell-defined processes and advice for use by others

•Comfortable with Microsoft Excel

Terms and conditions

Salary and allowances

The post is paid in accordance with House of Lords grade HL8 (£52,324 starting salary per annum) plus £5,000 Market Sector Allowance for those meeting the qualification standards and subject to a review every 2 years. Higher Starting Pay (up to £63,884) plus £5,000 Market Sector Allowance may be available for exceptional candidates subject to negotiation. Pay increases usually depend on performance as assessed in annual performance reviews.

Salary is paid monthly by bank transfer.

Probation

There is a probationary period of six months.

Term and hours

The post is permanent and is for 41 hours per week (including break-time).

Consideration will be given to candidates expressing a wish to perform the role on a flexible working arrangement such as those set out below:

•Compressed hours

•Home working (1-3 days a week)If you are selected for interview, please inform the panel of the days/hours you are available to work.

Benefits

As an employee of the House, you will be entitled to our benefits such as a season ticket loan, a Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service, including access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and many more. Full details can be found on our Employee Benefits page.

Pension

The House of Lords participates in the Civil Service Pension Schemes. As an employee of the House, you will be entitled to join one of these highly competitive pension scheme arrangements.

Annual leave

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days (increasing to 35 days after one year's service) plus public and bank holidays. In most offices annual leave may be taken only during periods when the House is in recess and must always be agreed in advance with the line manager and Head of Office.

Inclusion and Diversity

The House of Lords Administration is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of their age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender/sex, gender reassignment/trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic status The Administration will also consider flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. For this role we particularly welcome applications from groups which are currently underrepresented within the team, including applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates and candidates with disabilities.

Pre-appointment checks

For external candidates, appointment depends on satisfactory references, health and security checks and where necessary proof of qualifications. Successful candidates’ publicly open social media profiles will also be checked under this stage of the process and information obtained may be used to review suitability for the job role.

Baseline Security Standard

The House of Lords (along with all government departments) has to comply with a Baseline Security Standard. The standard requires that we ascertain the identity of the applicant, their right to work in the UK, their employment or academic history over the last three years, and their address history over the last three years. Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks. This includes security vetting to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level unless otherwise specified. All successful candidates are required to pass these checks before an offer can be confirmed. Applicants should be aware that if they have resided outside of the UK for a total of more than two of the last five years, they are not eligible for vetting. Please see the National Security Vetting booklet for further information.

In addition, applicants are required to give a reasonable account of any significant recent periods of time (more than six months) spent abroad. Applicants who have been unemployed or self-employed for over six months in the last three years (whose last three years’ employment/academic history are not covered by references) will be asked to provide further documentation to prove their history.

Returning your completed application form

Complete your online application by midday on 24 November 2021.

Interviews will take place on 30 November 2021 and if necessary, on 1 December 2021.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact HLHumanresources@parliament.uk or call 020 7219 3185.

Telephone enquiries If you wish to find out more information about this post please contact Richard Blake on 020 7219 8122 or by e-mail: blaker@parliament.uk.