Contracts & Procurement Officer

The Contracts and Procurement Officer plays a crucial role in ensuring to deliver high-quality and cost-effective services to children and young people. By overseeing robust procurement practices and fostering positive relationships with providers, the Officer contributes to the delivery of services that meet the needs of the community while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements.

Key Objectives:

Contribute to fostering a robust procurement culture within the department.

Develop and implement procurement processes and systems.

Draft and issue contracts and tender documentation.

Develop services to ensure high quality and value for money.

Negotiate fees, contracts, and individual cost packages.

Provide advice and support to Officers and service providers.

Manage and develop the provider market.

Cultivate positive relationships with providers.

Implement and monitor provider compliance with contracts.

Lead on internal and external communications activities.

Control of Resources:

• Computer hardware and software pertinent to the role.
• Monitoring of budgets for contracted services, exceeding £2 million.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Contribute to departmental procurement strategies.
• Ensure the quality of care and support services delivered under contract.
• Develop and maintain procurement systems for effective service monitoring.
• Draft outcome-based contracts and specifications, ensuring stakeholder requirements are met.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, EU, and UK legislation.
• Seek legal and financial advice for tendering and contracting activities.
• Manage contract documentation and provider lists.
• Monitor contract compliance and address non-compliance issues.
• Evaluate service performance against standards and regulations.
• Engage stakeholders in contract reviews and improvements.
• Ensure services comply with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Negotiate with providers to enhance quality, performance, and value for money.
• Conduct regular contract reviews and invoice processing.
• Utilize benchmarking processes for informed decision-making.
• Contribute to the Service Plan and manage project tasks.
• Maintain the Risk Register and adhere to procurement processes.
• Facilitate clear and transparent audit trails.
• Assess service value for money and lead on tender evaluations.
• Provide support and guidance to service providers for quality improvement.
• Engage in positive relationships with providers and stakeholders.