Interim Procurement Officer, Public Health team
6 months – ongoing.
Hybrid – 2 days in County Hall, Dorchester. Neg depending on experience – up to £500 a day.
Inside IR35.
Background
The Public Health team at Dorset Council works very closely with the Public Health team at BCP Council and share many contracts. Most of these contracts are currently hosted by Dorset Council on behalf of both local authorities. The disaggregation of the former pan‑Dorset public health team in April 2025 has increased the complexity of commissioning arrangements and generated additional procurement work.
Work required in the next 12 months includes:
* Support for the project to re‑procure the pan‑Dorset sexual health contract for implementation in April 2027 (led by BCP Council).
* Preparatory work to re‑procure the Children and Young People Public Health service (current contract ends Sept 2027).
* Health improvement services projects – AI text messaging, NRT supply, vape supply, digital platform and IT infrastructure, community weight management services, digital health checks. Most, but not all contracts are subject to the regulations of the Provider Selection Regime.
Purpose of role
* Work closely with commissioning leads from both Dorset Council and BCP Council to provide additional procurement capacity within the Public Health team.
* Ensure that key procurement activities led by Dorset Council are delivered on time, effective, efficient, compliant and meet the needs of the two local authorities.
* Fulfil a bridging role with procurement colleagues within the Dorset Council central procurement team to ensure that all appropriate governance requirements are met for each individual project.
* Build internal organisational experience of using the Provider Selection Regime.
* Ensure that all spend on goods and services delivers best value for Dorset residents, including enhancing the opportunity for positive impact on social value measures.
Supervision
Reporting to: Consultant in Public Health / Head of Programmes. Matrix management through the Dorset Council Procurement team (Senior Procurement Officer, Greg Jackson).
Essential Criteria
* CIPS Foundation level 4 or equivalent experience.
* Detailed knowledge of both the Procurement Act and the Provider Selection Regime and experience of procurement projects using both in a public sector setting.
* Ability to lead end‑to‑end procurements and operate confidently within local authority governance.
* Experience of leading on complex, high‑risk procurement projects in excess of £500k.
* Experience of working in a local authority setting and understanding of corporate governance arrangements and processes in this setting.
* Understanding of contract law.
* Knowledge of public sector procurement best practice.
* Knowledge of project management.
* Ability to apply strategic procurement processes, tools and techniques and an understanding of how to select and apply them to best effect.
* Knowledge and experience of procurement in the context of Public Health mandated services (desirable).
* Strong communication skills.
Length of contract
6 months initially with potential for extension dependant on performance and impact of role.
Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP – a joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities employment agency & business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
#J-18808-Ljbffr