*The closing date for this position is the 13 th March @ 11am* *Please note that this is an agency placement* Procurement Advisor NIFRS HQ, Lisburn Temporary (Up to 6 months with possible extension) £20.22 per hour 36.25 per hour Main Purpose This is a key role in the NIFRS finance team. The post-holder will support the Procurement and Contracts Manager in delivering an efficient and effective procurement & contract management service that ensures NIFRS has access to procure the goods and services required to support the needs of the communities we serve. This is a wide and varied role and the post holder will be responsible for supporting the function through provision of advice and guidance as well as transactional processing and quality assurance of procurement and contract management activity. Main Roles and Responsibilities Procurement & Contract Management 1. To support the Procurement and Contracts Manager in the provision of an efficient and effective Procurement and Contract management service. 2. To comply with, and support, the NIFRS Procurement Strategy and provide advice to internal stakeholders on all procurement matters including tendering, quotations, contract management and procurement legislation. 3. To support and deliver the day to day procurement and contract management functions and maintain relationships with NIFRS Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) Business Services Organisation (BSO) Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) and Central Procurement Directorate (CPD). 4. To liaise with the relevant CoPE organisations regarding procurements to ensure effective planning and management of tenders. 5. To assist in Procurement Awareness training as required for internal stakeholders. 6. Complete procurement of goods through compliant routes to deliver Value for Money solutions within the public procurement policy, legal and accountability frameworks. 7. To assist in fulfilling and monitoring Key Performance Indicators for NIFRS Procurement Function to demonstrate positive performance of service. 8. To exercise judgement or discretion within a framework of rule, practice and precedent to identify and select the most appropriate course of action from a range of options within a procurement and contract management setting. 9. Collation, analysis and interpretation of spend information from numerous sources in order to identify efficiencies, procurement and contract improvements. 10. To provide procurement & contract management advice to internal contract managers and day-to-day assistance with the operational management of contracts, including service level agreements (SLA’s). 11. Ensure supplier performance is proactively monitored, contract Management Information is analysed and relevant reports on contractor performance and analytics is documented. 12. Lead, conduct and participate in contract review meetings with NIFRS Contractors/Suppliers 13. Ensure that all complaints are dealt with promptly and effectively to resolution. 14. To manage all Contract and Procurement queries to ensure timely and informative responses to all stakeholders. 15. To approve orders when required in line with delegated Procurement authority limits following accuracy and validity checking. 16. To assist with the invoice clearing process within the e-procurement system. 17. To approve the addition of goods/services onto the e-procurement system, in accordance with NIFRS policies. 18. To provide the necessary information to facilitate completion of all statutory/regulatory returns and requests for information from the sponsor body. 19. Run regular system reports to monitor Contract and Non Contract Spend and update the Contract Management database to ensure compliance with control limits. 20. Assist the Procure to Pay Team in the approval of requisitions to ensure spend is compliant. 21. To provide final quality assurance of Procure to Pay procurement-related transactional processing. Governance, Data & Information Assurance 22. To assist with the effective implementation of an assurance & accountability framework for procurement activities. 23. Maintain a sound knowledge and understanding of relevant Legislation, Procurement Guidance Notices, policies and processes applicable to NIFRS and extend knowledge to procurement staff via research and dissemination of relevant material. 24. To advise internal stakeholders on the NIFRS procurement strategy, policy and procedures that reflect compliance with NI Executive Direction and Procurement best practice. 25. Responsibility for handling sensitive personal data and ensuring that the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are met. Essential Criteria: (Please note that Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd require original certificates as proof of all qualifications listed on CV) -Possess a minimum of an HNC or equivalent* qualification in a relevant discipline e.g. finance, business management, governance; AND -Have a minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience working in a procurement environment within a large organisation. OR -Possess at least 5 GCSEs at Grades A* - C / 9 - 4 (or equivalent*) including English Language and Mathematics; AND -Have a minimum of four year’s demonstrable experience working in a procurement environment within a large organisation. Can demonstrate: -Excellent planning and delivery of high quality work with excellent attention to detail; -Excellent management of working relationships skills and the ability to influence management; -Experience in the use of Information Technology systems including Microsoft Office Suite, and management information/Finance systems. -Demonstrate your knowledge in relation to procurement and the procurement lifecycle to include procurement legislation applicable to Public Sector. Possess a full, current UK driving licence or have access to a form of transport which enables them to fulfil the full requirements of the job. Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and a Corporate Member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd adheres to all current employment legislation. We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date, should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please send your CV as early as possible. Please note only those candidates shortlisted may be contacted. Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK and Ireland. We are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd regardless if you already have a valid certificate. It will be a cost of between £16 - £32 depending on clearance level.