Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager of Contracting and Procurement, the Contract and Procurement Specialist is responsible for effectively procuring, managing, reporting on, and administering various types of agreements related to Career and Employment Information Services.

The Contract and Procurement Specialist draws on a strong working knowledge across social programs, including that of service design, implementation and delivery. Familiarity with associated legislative, policy and practice framework is critical to plan for, procure, and monitor services that meet the needs of unemployed or underemployed Albertans. A thorough understanding of current Labour Market needs, paired with technical procurement proficiency, is key to implementing effective contract and grant management.

The Contract and Procurement Specialist works independently with a high level of political acumen, autonomy and has strong negotiation, monitoring and consultative skills. This role requires the development and maintenance of a strong network of collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Seniors, Community and Social Services delivery staff to assess service needs, identify emerging issues, and ensure that services are in place to meet the needs of unemployed or underemployed Albertans.

As the Contract and Procurement Specialist your key objectives will be:

Planning: Within the context of the ministry business plan, identify trends and leveraging opportunities to procure meaningful and quality services to meet the dynamic needs of clients and the needs of local labour market.

Communication: Strong project management skills in order to coordinate stakeholders, monitor progress and deliverables, deliver final product, and evaluate results.
Strong group facilitation and presentation skills, being comfortable leading a group and/or presenting to a variety of audiences.

•    Exceptional  written and oral communication skills to effectively procure, monitor, evaluate service agreements and maintain relationship with key stakeholders.
•    Excellent analytical skills to research or review literature and provide an accurate and thorough analysis and recommendations for investment planning.
•    Ability to collate data and visualize information for investment planning.

Procurement Management: Procurement activities through the contract life cyle:  Ensure procurement activities, such as planning/ conducting RFP competitions as well as managing, monitoring and evaluating outcomes for contracts and grants are timely, effective, aligned with ministry policies and compliant with procurement policy and legislation.  Prioritze tasks effectively to work within tight timelines in a politically sensitive environment.
Ensure contracts and grants are in accordance with Federal funding LMTA requirements/ policy business process. Strong understanding of SCSS Career & Employment Information Services policies and how they align with Federal reporting requirements.

Relationship Management and Communication: Build and facilitate a network of linkages and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.

Reporting: Work in collaboration with program delivery staff and service providers to monitor and manage contracts and grants while ensuring compliance.

Please click on this link JR69570-PS4-Contract Specialist-JD to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

As the Contract and Procurement Specialist, in addition to your education and experience, you will demonstrate well-honed competencies in the following areas:

SYSTEMS THINKING: Taking a broad scale, long-term view, assessing options and implications; understand the strategic direction of the organization.

AGILITY: Creates opportunities for improvement, recognizing the importance of timing and being prepared to take action when appropriate.

DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities in order to deliver outcomes consistent with Government direction, departmental objectives and public expectations.

BUILDING COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS: Engages others to think broadly about impacts of projects, brings differing perspectives together.

Qualifications

University degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or in a related field with a minimum of 4 years progressively responsible related experience in delivery of services that support Albertans in their continuum towards employment.

Equivalency: Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Required experience:

•    Experience with writing, in particular responding to Action Requests, writing briefing materials,  planning, contract management/negotiations, consulting, program evaluation, financial administration and working with community based resources is preferred. Strong understanding of how policy is contained in contracts and grants is required.

Assets:
•    Experience in procurement of social services, planning, contract management/ negotiations, consulting, program evaluation, financial administration and working with community-based resources
•    Extensive experience using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, is required.

Notes

•    Hours of work are 36.25 weekly, Monday to Friday.

•    This competition is used to fill one position in Calgary. This position is a full-time.

•    The successful candidate will be required to have a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle.
 
•    Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. A Criminal Record Check will only need to be provided upon request.  Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.  Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

•    Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.