Deputy Head of Procurement Hub

Job Description

Please note we cannot accept applications for this role through www.cvmarket.lt - we only accept applications through our official portal, the link to which is provided below. 

Please access the official job advertisement for full details by copying and pasting the following web address:

Deputy Head of Procurement Hub (LTU23.142) - FCO Local Posts (tal.net)

Based in Vilnius and reporting to the Head of Hub, the jobholder will provide procurement/commercial expertise to the Europe and EECA regional procurement hub based in Vilnius, Lithuania.  The jobholder will have a line management and coordination role, with responsibility for the procurement life cycle across the regional network including Embassies, High Commissions and posts, ensuring compliance to FCDO global policy and UK procurement regulations.

The jobholder will provide guidance and support to stakeholders through management of the Hubs on daily procurement activities and the most complex procurement requirements. Increasing commercial influence of procurement and commercial improvements across the region to deliver Value for Money (VfM) and alignment to transparency initiatives for the FCDO.

The jobholder will work closely with the heads of hub, to establish the hubs service offering and working with the wider team to implement across the region.  Building key relationships with stakeholders at Post they will be influential in work planning and risk mitigation leading to continuous improvement to the delivery of an efficient service. 

Part of this role will include building relationships with the UK and wider hubs network to collaborate on workstreams to proactively seek opportunities to drive efficiencies globally. 

Alignment and input into the UK category strategies ensuring local knowledge is captured and used to influence where required. 

Through strong management skills the job holder will have responsibility for the management of the team, effective work planning and efficient resource allocation will be required to ensure the team provide a quality service across the region. They will provide support and coordination of the team’s activities ensuring trust is built through encouragement and empowerment. 

The job holder will be self-starter, requiring emotional intelligence with a solution orientated mindset.  

Roles and responsibilities:

• Line management and coordination responsibilities of the team, ensuring effective leadership to include work and resource planning enabling the team to provide a high-quality service;
• Provide support and coordination of the team’s daily activities to ensure all procurement/commercial outputs are compliant;
• Development of team though supporting L&D learning opportunities, ensuring trust is built through encouragement and empowerment;
• Creativity and innovation will be required when developing and implementing service requirements for complex procurements to ensure value for money is achieved;
• Provide input to category plans where necessary and ensure engagement in business cases and lead on the drafting on the commercial case for all planned in scope procurements or commercial activity requiring FCDO Commercial engagement in the area under your remit;
• Influencing and alignment to category strategies development from the UK, ensuring hubs expertise of local markets is embedded, fit for purpose and included;
• Work with the Head of Hub to develop, maintain and leverage effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders;
• Actively work with stakeholders to review the range of commercial opportunities available to them and raise awareness and understanding of Commercial policy and best practice;
• Proactively engage with stakeholders across the region to provide commercial advice, direction and assurance on all commercial issues;
• Use judgement, interpretation and co-ordination to ensure that the solutions developed and delivered are acceptable to senior stakeholders and, when applicable, partners across government;
• Use judgement, interpretation and coordination to ensure effective solution resolution of risk and issues at both transactional and strategic level, escalating to the Head of Hub as required;
• Ensure continuity and consistency of approach across the hub from project to project, using required tools, systems and processes to guide commercial activity and produce high quality commercial management information, sharing best practice with the wider hubs network;
• Support the pipeline of projects and contracts using the FCDO eProcurement platform to enable accurate and timely reporting;
• Provide input to category plans where necessary and ensure engagement in business cases and lead on the drafting on the commercial case for all planned in scope procurements or commercial activity requiring FCDO Commercial engagement in the area under your remit;
• Resolve complex issues, including those that are perceived to be novel and contentious;
• Provide management, support and advice to other members of the team to develop business requirements and viable solutions and provide oversight and assurance of tender documentation and procurement compliance; 
• Manage internal governance controls and support team in progressing through the respective assurance, governance and approvals processes;
• Providing cover for the Head of Hub during periods of leave/absence;
• Ad-hoc duties as required.

Requirements

Essential on arrival:

• Commercial Technical Skills - Previous experience in leading on complex commercial situations and leading teams to deliver great commercial outcomes (demonstrable line management experience);
• Management and coordination skills;
• Working Internationally - Previous experience in working in a procurement capacity which is regional/international and beyond domestic market;
• Managing Change and Improvements - Evidence of the ability to identify potential improvements and successfully manage changes that deliver beneficial commercial outcomes;
• Team management;
• Developing Self and Others - Experience in coaching and mentoring to build capability at all levels of a commercial function, including a team and direct reports;
• Communicating and Influencing - Proven experience in influencing internal and external stakeholders;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field; MCIPS or CPSM (or studying towards) or relevant certification or MBA;
• Extensive English language (C1 level).

REQUIRED BEHAVIOURS: Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others

Company offers

This is a full-time, permanent contract of 35 net hours per week,

The start date for the position is as soon as possible, subject to the availability of the candidate and the length of the recruitment process. 

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Lithuania. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Vilnius are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Lithuanian employment law.

We offer:

• A base salary and, in addition, sports allowance that is paid on top of the base salary.
• Generous private medical insurance scheme.
• A strong focus on learning and development, including support for developing English language skills.
• The opportunity to work in an international environment, gaining skills relevant to work in shared services centres and international organisations.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• 35 hour working week with a focus on work-life balance, with the potential for some homeworking.
• 22 annual leave + additional public holidays.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Lithuania and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note we cannot accept applications for this role through www.cvmarket.lt - we only accept applications through our official portal, the link to which is provided below. 

Please access the official job advertisement for full details by copying and pasting the following web address:

Deputy Head of Procurement Hub (LTU23.142) - FCO Local Posts (tal.net)