View Vacancy - Head of Regional Procurement Hub (LTU22.626)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Procurement

The British Embassy Vilnius is a professional, friendly and inclusive team, which supports the development and wellbeing of all its staff members, and we are looking to recruit a new Head of Procurement Hub.

Based in Vilnius the jobholder will have a critical leadership role across a regional network of UK Government presence. Including Embassy’s, High Commission and other Posts  the Head of the Regional Procurement Hub will provide  strategic direction for commercial activity within the Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Africa region, leading a team of procurement/commercial specialists working closely with Commercial teams in the UK and other overseas locations.

The jobholder will be accountable for the overall delivery of commercial services across the regional network by the regional procurement hub, setting, implementing strategy, ensure the team’s compliance to procurement processes and procedures, and undertake the leadership and management activities. They will have responsibility for setting priorities and management of risk, seeking and delivering on opportunity areas to drive better value for money whilst aligning to FCDO objectives and UK Government principles for commercial activity. 

They will work closely with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders across multiple geographic locations, who have requirements for commercial activity and support; this will give the successful applicant an excellent overview of the FCDO and insight into the work of different departments across the network.

The role is line managed from the UK by the Head of Procurement Delivery, and is part of the wider FCDO Commercial function. Due to the remote management aspect of the role the job holder will also require strong leadership, communication,  interpersonal, and supervisory skills, setting the overall strategic objectives for the hub, undertaking reviews, taking responsibility for staff learning and development as well as overall leadership of the hub to include accountability for ,  savings and performance delivery. When possible, there will be opportunities to travel to the UK and other hub/stakeholder locations, driving motivation, enthusiasm and team empowerment across all hub staff.  The role requires an independent self-starter able to work effectively with line management for the role provided from the UK.

The FCDO has a regional structure for Finance, Procurement and HR across the whole network and the role will have pastoral care responsibilities for other Hub staff at the and play an active part in the Vilnius Embassy community of staff.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Reporting to the Head of Regional Procurement Hubs in the UK, will have responsibility for management and leadership of the Regional Procurement Teams (9 staff in total). Responsible for working with stakeholders and other procurement teams across the regional network providing leadership as well as, developing and co-ordinating delivery of commercial solutions which meet customer requirements and achieve value for money for the FCDO and HM Government. 
  • Developing relationships with senior stakeholders at the UK’s Embassies and Consulates, including Deputy High Commissioners and Corporate Service Directors (also including those Partners across Government) across the region to promote commercial best practice, leading the team to develop a pipeline of requirements in order to identify strategic procurement opportunities and forecast resourcing requirements
  • Leading the team to manage the contract tender process for various procurement/contract-related goods, services or works projects, including sourcing of suppliers, input and agreement of specification, preparation of tender documentation, liaison and coordination with suppliers to clarify requirements, coordination and evaluation of bids, seek appropriate approval, direct negotiation, agreement of contracts and management and closure of contracts. Ensuring the team procurements meet quality, legal, audit, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office requirements.  All aligned to the global processes and utilising the specified E-Procurement application ensuring data quality and completeness. 
  • Leading the team to develop regional category strategies including development of regional market research and sourcing of potential suppliers. Contributing to global category development with local expertise and knowledge of spend, markets, and environments, being accountable for the input for the region into global category strategy. Being able to coach the team in developing their knowledge and experiences in developing and delivering category strategy activity
  • Providing advice on contract management process and advising on supplier relationship management, an escalation point for the most complex issues. Generally supporting to develop the contract management capability in the FCDO and key stakeholders in region. Discuss and resolve contractual disputes, taking appropriate action to protect the FCDO’s interest.
  • Manage, implement and ensure the team periodically review local procurement processes and procedures to meet UK FCDO procurement guidance working with the procurement policy teams in the UK to develop and standardise new policies and processes to ensure compliance and effectiveness across the region. Challenging how we do things to ensure a culture of continuous improvement and taking the lead globally on certain objectives on behalf of the hub network overall and not just the Vilnius team.
  • Hold accountability for hub performance, including analysis of data, impact of risks / issues and identify strategic priorities.
  • Working with the UK capability teams development of commercial capability of regionally based staff working with or having responsibility for procurement, identifying development/training needs and solutions.  Regular stakeholder engagement to promote activities across the region, raising the profile of hub capabilities and commercial practices.
  • Building/maintaining an inclusive and positive environment for the hub staff, leading, and behaving in a way that supports the FCDO cultural statement, acting as a role model for the team and across other hubs/Commercial.
  • Provide overall leadership, guidance and support to the teams and post, promote efficiencies, risk management solutions and be the conduit between other hubs and the UK commercial team.  Build effective relationships with other hubs to share best practice, lesson learning and collaborative working across the network. 
  • Proficiency at C1 level in English according to CEFR Framework*
  • Commercial Technical Skills - Previous experience in leading on complex commercial situations and leading teams to deliver great commercial outcomes (demonstrable line management experience)
  • Leadership and Management Skills
  • Working internationally - previous experience in working in a procurement capacity which is regional/international and beyond domestic market.
  • Managing Change and Improvements - Evidence of the ability to identify potential improvements and successfully manage changes that deliver beneficial commercial outcomes. 
  • Developing self and others - Experience in coaching and mentoring to build capability at all levels of a commercial function, including a team and direct reports
  • Communicating and Influencing - proven experience in influencing internal and external stakeholders
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field, MCIPS or CPSM (or studying towards) or relevant certification or MBA

Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others
5 December 2022
Grade 7 (G7)
Full-time, Permanent
35 hours net
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Lithuania
Vilnius
British Embassy
1
EUR
5666.66 (gross/monthly)
1 January 2023

This is a full-time, permanent contract of 40 gross hours per week (35 hours net).

The start date for the position is as soon as possible, subject to the availability of the candidate and the length of the recruitment process. 

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Lithuania. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Vilnius are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Lithuanian employment law.

We offer:

  • A competitive base salary and, in addition, a  non-consolidated sports allowance;
  • Private medical insurance scheme;
  • A strong focus on learning and development; including support for developing English language skills
  • Access to development and learning opportunities offered to all staff.
  • The opportunity to work in an international environment, gaining skills relevant to work in shared services centres and international organisations;
  • 40 hours gross working week and a commitment to flexible working with a focus on providing a work-life balance, with the potential for some home-working.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Lithuania and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

* Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.