To find out more information about what it’s like to work at the LGA, please visit http://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga and for information on Equality and Diversity at the LGA, please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity-lga
The role
Councils have long recognised the importance that strategic procurement (our definition of strategic procurement includes procurement’s role in ‘commissioning’, ‘collaboration with the wider public sector’ and ‘contract management’) can play in delivering efficiencies, contributing to reshaping and transforming service delivery as well as ensuring value for money and positively influencing the impact on local, regional and national businesses and jobs. Councils have been subject to massive reductions in funding and unavoidable growth pressures on the resources it has available to deliver services to our communities.
Our National Advisory Group for Procurement (NAG) reports on a quarterly basis to the Improvement and Innovation Board of the LGA and to our Chief Executive sponsor, Dr Martin Reeves of Coventry City Council. NAG consists of senior local government procurement professionals, who extensive experience of working at a senior level in local government and the wider local public sector with at least one representative per English region and one representative for Welsh councils.
NAG works with DLUHC, Cabinet Office and other Government departments as appropriate through a Strategic Programme Steering Group.
We work as one cohesive voice in order to:
- Share good practice to maximise the benefits of good procurement, as well as communicate and support local government colleagues to adopt any good practice identified
- Support the strategic position of procurement in supporting wider policy improvements, added social value and efficiency savings for the secto
- Identify and remove barriers to efficient and collaborative procurement
- Account for procurement’s role in relation to other groups and bodies such as clinical commissioners, and initiatives such as commercialism, devolution and combined authorities
- Develop, influence and improve access to procurement related training for local government and our public sector partners.
The successful candidate will work as part of a team to:
- Lead networks of council procurement and commissioning officers for adults services, children’s services and construction. Drawing on the experience of network members, you will assess the implications of different policy proposals (particularly those relating to Transforming Public Procurement green paper) and develop proposals that help to support and improve procurement and commissioning processes in local government.
- Plan and run quarterly network meetings, webinars and other events. Including drafting agendas and sourcing speakers
- Deliver an annual National Construction Conference that addresses key issues for the sector and construction industry. The date for this is set at early February 2022
- Report quarterly progress against objectives to NAG
- Support individual and groups of councils with queries, issues and other support needs
- Represent the LGA at conferences and events including potential speaking opportunities where appropriate
You will need to be a problem-solver and capable of taking a strategic and forward-thinking approach to advocate on behalf of the LGA.
Our team works closely with colleagues in our policy team, media & public affairs and the LGA’s political group offices, as well as with external organisations.
As we encourage flexible working at the LGA, we are happy to discuss the option of a home-based contract. The salary for a home-based worker is from £42,821 pa or office-based from £46,533 pa (including London Weighting). The office-based working will be in line with our transitional flexible working policy as we begin to go back into the office again following COVID-19.
The requirements
We are looking for an effective team player with excellent organisational and people skills. Ideally you will have a good knowledge and understanding of local government and a broad understanding of procurement. Candidates will need to be able to prioritise competing demands, delivering to deadlines in an environment that can change rapidly.
Typically, we would expect candidates to have experience that demonstrates a track record of making a difference in a political (local or central government) context.
You will be working alongside national partners including relevant Government departments, national officer networks and sector specific membership bodies. You will need to excel in relationship building and joint delivery of projects, as well as being able to engage directly with local authorities and offer bespoke support where required.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate the ability to comfortably and confidently challenge current processes and suggest new and innovative ways of supporting the LGA’s members. For example, how to disseminate good practice, guidance and learning via webinars, podcasts etc.
Knowledge of procurement rules and relevant legislation may be an advantage, but it is not a necessity for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to quickly grasp the issues and demands of new and diverse policy areas.
To find out more about this role, please contact either Tina.Holland@local.gov.uk or Georgia.Rudin@local.gov.uk.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
To apply
Please note the Job Description is generic, with specific details of the role outlined above.
Within the application form, you will be asked to complete a cover letter. Using no more than 1000 words, use clear examples from your previous experience to demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. During shortlisting it is primarily your assessment form/cover letter that is taken into consideration, so please ensure the information about your relevant experience is included there.
Applications will be assessed against the person specification.
Before applying for any temporary internal vacancy, LGA employees should discuss the opportunity with their current line manager.
Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 29 October 2021
Interview Date: Tuesday 9th or Wednesday 10 November interviews will be held remotely
As a Disability Confident Leader the LGA values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community