Public Procurement Review Service Senior Adviser Glasgow, Scotland
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Policy
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
We are seeking to fill this important role in our Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS). PPRS provides a route for suppliers to raise concerns about public procurement practice.
PPRS is part of the Strategy & Communications, Standards & Oversight team (SCSO) within the Government Commercial Function. The Government Commercial Function is a cross-government network procuring or supporting the procurement of goods and services for the government.
The Public Procurement Review Service is available for any supplier to use, in particular it can help small businesses which feel they might have been treated unfairly during a bid, or that they have been dealt with in a way that falls short of EU rules or government policy. It also leads to improvements in the way the government sources future goods and services by ensuring lessons are learned.
All cases are summarised and published: only the contracting authorities are named, concerned businesses remain anonymous.
To find out more about the scope and remit of the team please use this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit
In addition to the core duties, there will be the opportunity to support the broader Procurement Review Unit (PRU), and tackle additional projects.
The Procurement Review Unit (PRU) is being developed ahead of the procurement reform bill whilst maintaining and overseeing the operational responsibilities of the Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS). The role will support policy alignment with the new regime alongside leading on investigating procurement issues within public sector contracts that have been made by suppliers.
The Public Procurement Review Service is one of a range of measures designed to make Government easier to work with, helping suppliers (particularly SMEs and VCSEs) and levelling the playing field for those who want to supply to Government.
The successful candidate will be part of a small team that reviews issues within public sector contracts that have been raised by suppliers. The issues typically relate to procurement activity, contract management, and late payment.
The successful candidate will lead on individual case reviews, and will be responsible for carrying out the review and issuing guidance based on the review.
Job description
The post-holder will be responsible for:
- Taking the lead on case reviews in order to provide an effective and responsive route for suppliers to raise concerns about public sector procurement
- Make written recommendations to Contracting Authorities and review how recommendations have been implemented, particularly if these are set in the future
- Achieving positive outcomes by either positively affecting the procurement, or improving supplier understanding of public sector procurement
- Monitoring compliance with procurement policy and Small Business friendly legislation
- Contributing to lessons learned arising from reviews, including influencing policy development
- Effectively promoting the service internally and externally, meeting with stakeholders and presentations at procurement events
- Completing spot checks on procurements to clarify trends that need to be addressed
- Contributing to ministerial briefings on work related to the Public Procurement Review Service
- Policy development relating to the Procurement Review Unit to support implementation and development of the Unit
- Ad Hoc project work to support wider SCSO workstreams.
Person specification
Commercial Focus. In-depth procurement knowledge of public sector procurement that has delivered outstanding value for money and great commercial outcomes with good working understanding of public sector procurement rules.
Professional approach in dealing with issues raised by clients. To understand and respond to customer challenges> Maintain productive and honest relationships with a persistence in following case reviews through to conclusion.
Excellent communicator with strong written and interpersonal skills. Able to communicate complex information and recommendations clearly. Able to develop proposals to improve the quality of procurements within a range of government departments.
Experience of negotiating and influencing senior stakeholders. The ability to influence using evidence and negotiation. Demonstrate resilience and tact in the face of challenging circumstances. Dealing with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner.
Experience of marketing or promoting services to external and internal stakeholders.
Self-starter, with a track record of working with autonomy, with flexibility and the ability to multitask. Be highly organised and manage multiple case reviews with tight deadlines and minimal supervision.
Experience in policy development and experience of using continuous improvement techniques to develop team and external processes.
Flexible approach to work across the PRU unit depending on demands.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process
As part of the selection process you will be asked to provide:
- A CV of your employment history.
- 500-word personal statement explaining why you are suitable for the role.
- 250-word example of how you demonstrate the lead behaviour (i.e. Communicating and Influencing)
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
We will assess the following success profiles at interview:
- Behaviours
- Strengths
- Experience
We recommend that you use the STAR method for this answer - you can read more here.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 17/04/2023
Expected interview date/s – w/c 01/05/2023
Interview location - online
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years’ UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected].
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
