Policy Officer (Procurement)

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT - POLICY OFFICER

Role Description:

The Successful Candidate will have responsibility for the casework of the Single Point of Enquiry (SPoE). This will involve liaising with the public body and supplier to determine the facts of the case, seeking to resolve the issue raised by the supplier and providing high quality, timely responses. You will provide the secretariat for the SPoE Champions Group which meets quarterly and also promote the service at conferences/seminars and supplier liaison events. The work of the SPoE attracts a high level of Ministerial interest. (50%)

Provide advice on a wide range of procurement policy issues including the application and interpretation of procurement legislation and Scottish procurement policies, procedures and best practice. The Successful Candidate interact with a variety of stakeholders, including procurement professionals within the Scottish Government, the wider Scottish public sector and suppliers.

The post-holder will have responsibility for assessing the merits of requests to award contracts without competition, and where appropriate, authorising such action. The post-holder will work with the team leader to develop a network of Delegated Purchasing Authority (DPA) staff to build commercial skills and understanding across the Scottish Government and support corporate governance requirements. (30%)

The Successful Candidate will be expected to contribute ideas and energy to continuous improvement based on sound research and analysis to identify common themes and issues that need to be addressed. (15%)

The Successful Candidate will maintain the policy pages of the Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate (SPCD) website including responding promptly and comprehensively to queries that have been generated through the website and mailboxes. Reviews of the website will be required to be carried out on a quarterly basis requests as well as handling update requests from the branch. (5%)

Skills and Experience:

Self Awareness:
The post-holder must have excellent self-management skills, a willingness to be flexible in the tasks they undertake, and have the ability to plan, organise and prioritise a number of different work streams. Experience of working in a busy team and the ability to respond effectively to urgent requests with high quality contributions is vital.

Communications and Engagement:
The post-holder will have regular contact with a broad range of stakeholders both internally and externally. An ability to engage confidently and credibly with a wide range of people on a variety of different types of issues will be needed. The post-holder will also have to be confident in producing briefing for Ministerial engagements, Ministerial correspondence and FoIs.

Analysis and Use of Evidence:
The post-holder will have to be confident in gathering and analysing information from a range of sources, for example from stakeholders and through independent research. An ability to identify opportunities and underlying problems that need to be addressed, and communicate this in a clear and concise manner will be important.

Essential Skills:
1.The ability to prioritise and manage work to meet deadlines.
2.Good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and ability to engage with staff and stakeholders at all levels
3.Strong skills in collation, analysis and organisation of information for a range of audiences, including Ministers.

Desireable:
1.Knowledge and understanding of public procurement.
2.Experience of casework.
3.Experience of drafting FoI requests, or awareness of FoI context.
4.Experience of drafting Ministerial responses and Ministerial briefings.

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