Senior Procurement Specialist

Overview:
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland and is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers, with a budget of around £3.5 billion per year. Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment.

Applications are invited for two B3 vacancies to provide procurement advice and support within the newly created procurement team of the Ferries Directorate. The posts will have a primary focus on provision of advice in relation to the project for renewal of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) contract. This multi-billion pound procurement is essential for the delivery of lifeline ferry services to island and remote mainland communities across the Clyde and Hebrides.

Successful delivery of the CHFS replacement procurement will require personnel with appropriate procurement and commercial skills to be an integral part of the overall project team. In addition to proven procurement expertise and strong project management skills, the successful post holders will also require personal resilience to work autonomously in a fast paced environment. The project is also expected to generate a high level of external interest.

Appropriate advice and delivery support will be required throughout the procurement journey to help ensure a successful outcome, and compliance with all relevant legislation.

The successful post holders will be required to work collaboratively with the contract development team to ensure that service levels are cognisant of Scottish Ministers and wider stakeholder requirements, as well as being both deliverable and capable of demonstrating value for money for the public purse.

The posts provide an opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of lifeline ferry services essential for our island communities, on a project of significant local and national importance.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provision of a robust procurement, contractual and commercial advice and delivery function within a newly formed team to ensure successful delivery of the high profile CHFS project (with an anticipated out-turn value in excess of £2 billion) and the wider Ferries Directorate as appropriate..
- Ensure the procurement competition for the CHFS replacement contract and other Ferries Directorate procurements as required is delivered in accordance with relevant procurement legislation, Transport Scotland’s Procurment Toolkit and best practice.
- Deputise for the C1 Procurement and Governance Manager as required (for example at Ministerial, senior management and stakeholder meetings) and provide project updates to the C1 Team Head and and senior management as required.
- Liaison with Transport Scotland’s Procurement Team, the wider Ferries team and external consultants to ensure project tasks are delivered timeously, and to an appropriate standard, to maintain project programme and budget.
- Undertake the end-to-end procurement process, in conjunction with external consultants as required. This includes the development of competition documents, active participation in Supplier and Bidder meetings, and provision of advice to ensure that tender queries and clarifications are appropriately handled.
- Assistance with development of, and subsequently helping to manage, the project governance and assurance processes, including proactively identifying and mitigating procurement risks.
- Engagement with colleagues across Transport Scotland and key stakeholders to support work across the Ferries Unit.

**Competencies**
Self awareness

Communications and Engagement

Analysis and Use of Evidence

**Specialist Procurement Competencies**
- Corporate Strategy
- Governance & Compliance
- Commercial & Financial Awareness

Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
These are specialist roles which require evidence of a commitment towards continuous professional development, including external professional accreditation of MCIPS or relevant equivalent*; a pass at the UK Government Commercial Organisation assessment centre at an appropriate level; or a commitment to attaining such an accreditation once in post.
- ‘Equivalent’ may include accreditation from another relevant professional body or a relevant academic qualification at degree or post graduate level. Significant evidenced experience operating and delivering at an advanced level may be considered as equivalent when accompanied by a commitment to attaining an accreditation once in post.

**Essential Criteria**
1. Strong knowledge and experience in the full end-to-end procurement process with clear working knowledge of public procurement legislation and sustainable procurement requirements (including community benefits).

2. Proven track record in the successful delivery of complex high-value / high-risk procurement projects and programmes, along with