Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is looking for a Contracts and Procurement Officer to enhance our team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. There may also be the possibility for some home working, subject to agreement with the Line Manager. You will join us on a 2 year Fixed Term Contract working 37 hours per week and will receive a competitive starting salary of £32654.00 (gross) per annum.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset.
Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce.
About the role:
As our Contracts and Procurement Officer, you will have a responsibility for contract management and monitoring arrangements, providing advice, guidance and support to ensure that robust post-award contract management and performance measurement arrangements are in place. You will support the development of systems for the gathering of management information (e.g. contract performance dashboards), with particular emphasis on continuous performance improvement and review to ensure that identified efficiency gains are achieved through the execution and management of contracts.
You will also lead or support on below threshold (under the thresholds set in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023) procurement, working with key stakeholders, ensuring that an appropriate procurement process is adopted - in each case, complying with the requirements of legislation, Contract Standing Orders and recognised best practice.
Key responsibilities of our Contracts and Procurement Officer:
To oversee contract management and monitoring arrangements, providing advice, guidance and support to ensure that robust post-award contract management and performance measurement arrangements are in place including ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Equality & Diversity and Modern Slavery considerations where appropriate.
To provide contract management Key Performance Indicators and Objectives (KPIs and KPOs) as required to support contract management activities including contingency planning and the resolution of complex or difficult contract disputes. This will include direct engagement with suppliers and contractors and internal staff on behalf of the Service.
To provide professional procurement/commercial advice, guidance and support to departments within the Service, particularly in relation to procurements below PCR15/Procurement Act 2023 thresholds. Supporting the procurement team with the above threshold procurements/ contract management, working with Category Managers.
Supplier evaluation and selection
Quotation and Tender scheduling, evaluation, analysis and recommendation for award.
Closing Date: 2359hrs 21 February 2025
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Contracts and Procurement Officer please click "apply" today, we would love to hear from you.
The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply:
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document to show how you meet the following essential criteria taken from the Job Description and Person Specification.
Written and numerical skills to include analysis and evaluation skills; financial and budget management.
Strong organisation skills with the ability to deal with competing priorities to meet milestones.
Working within a public / utilities / voluntary sector organisation within a Procurement / Commercial / Contract Management function.
Self-motivated and self-sufficient with the ability to work unsupervised / on own initiative to identify priorities and work demands as well as being a member of a busy project or departmental team.
Ability to plan and prioritise competing pressures to meet tight deadlines.
Great communicator with high level of self-motivation, resilience, ability to learn and introduce innovation.
To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document "Contracts & Procurement Officer - Essential Criteria for Application". Please download this document and complete it with your evidence in relation to the above criteria. You can then upload this where requested when completing your application form.
Please note that the evidence you upload should not exceed 2000 words in total (excluding titles)
Our values
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.
Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to rehabilitation of offenders, and as such any positive disclosure will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.
As a Service and as Individuals:
We are proud to help
We are honest
We are respectful
We are working together
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share out values, to consider working for us.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .