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Job description

The Head of Procurement Policy will be expected to maintain detailed knowledge of procurement policy matters and legislation; a high level of understanding of policy and departmental issues; a broad awareness of political and current affairs; detailed knowledge of supply market and industry matters related to public procurement and their effect on market sectors; public procurement practice; and departmental policies. Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of public procurement policy within the wider strategic, policy and legislative context: Identifying the intended policy outcomes and the strategic factors that inform effective policy.
• Identifying, commissioning and evaluating sources of evidence, including engagement with relevant stakeholders to inform the design of policy options; Interpreting the existing legal and regulatory framework within and beyond NI.
• Developing, modelling, testing, improving and evaluating policy options, including the assessment of impact (e.g. equality, environmental, regulatory, data protection, rural needs, etc).
• Identifying and addressing risks to effective policy intervention; and informing the development of relevant overarching strategies. Lead the engagement with key stakeholders on matters of procurement policy:
• Engaging colleagues and stakeholders throughout the development and delivery of policy interventions; Managing and fostering networks of key stakeholders and leading informal engagement on policy matters.
• Managing intergovernmental relations and international engagement in the policy area; and Leading formal consultation on policy options and proposals.
• Advise Ministers and senior officials on procurement policy issues: Articulating policy options, risks and benefits, with the purpose of making recommendations.
• Explaining and describing policy positions in oral and written contexts, including in Assembly Committees, correspondence and official publications;.
• Accounting for decisions and progress as appropriate, including advising the Minister(s).
• Lead the implementation of procurement policy, and where necessary legislation: Identifying appropriate policy levers and tools for effective delivery.
• Managing the delivery of primary and/or secondary legislation through the Assembly; Managing the operationalization of policy interventions; and Project and/or programme management to deliver policy objectives.
• Monitor the impact of policy and evaluate the effectiveness of policy implementation: Identifying what measurements to use and what data to collect to monitor effect;
• Overseeing implementation and operationalisation of the policy in order to assess efficiency and effectiveness; Establishing and operating appropriate governance and monitoring arrangements for the long-term.
• Addressing weaknesses and responding to concerns and other indications that things are going wrong.
• Lead a Policy Branch, managing and leading a team to deliver business objectives; ensuring the proper management and governance of resources in line with departmental and Civil Service standards;
• Contribute to the leadership of both the wider business area within your department and the Service-wide policy profession.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must by the closing date for applications: Be a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) , Registered Architect,
• Chartered Engineer, Chartered Surveyor (or hold a professional procurement or construction qualification of equal standing from a Chartered Professional Body incorporated under or with Royal Charter).
• Please note that the successful candidate must remain Registered/Chartered whilst in the post.
• Checks will be completed with the appropriate professional body to confirm Chartered/Registered membership status.
• Professional qualification of equal standing, applications will be considered from professionally qualified construction or procurement professionals who hold equivalent professional status.
• Please give details of the professional qualification held and reasons why you consider it to be equivalent to the qualification required.
• The onus is on you to provide the panel with sufficient details of the professional qualification which clearly demonstrates how the qualification you hold is equivalent to that required.
• AND Provide evidence that demonstrates the application of in-depth knowledge of public procurement legislation, policy, and practice as it applies to supplies and services and/or construction procurement.
• Demonstrate at least 2 years’ management experience of successfully leading and managing a high performing team in a complex operational and/or policy areas, setting the strategic direction, managing change;
• And improving service delivery, in addition to the effective management of resources, performance to deliver against key organisational outcomes.
• Management defined as experience of providing detailed advice on or taking decisions personally or being party to decisions affecting strategic issues concerning the corporate body or organisation etc.

Further Information

Location: Clare House. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 12th June 2026 at 12 noon. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Applications from Protestants, females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. £61,673 - £64,469 per annum (under review)