Contract & Procurement Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Contract and Procurement Specialist (CPS) position reports to a Manager within the Employment Services Branch. The CPS is responsible for planning, procuring, managing, reporting on, and administering various types of agreements related to Career and Employment Information Services (CEIS). They draw on strong working knowledge across social programs, including service design, implementation, and delivery. Familiarity with associated legislative, policy, and practice frameworks is critical to plan for, procure, and monitor services that meet the needs of Ministry stakeholders. A thorough understanding of current Labour Market needs, paired with technical proficiency, is critical to effective contract and grant management.

The CPS works independently, with political acumen and autonomy, and has advanced 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 EFS delivery staff, service providers, and employers, to assess service needs, identify emerging issues, and ensure that services are in place to meet needs within the mandate of the Ministry, Division, and Branch.

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

Planning and Analysis

• Within the context of the ministry business plan and branch investment strategy, identifying trends and leveraging opportunities to procure, meaningful and quality services to meet the dynamic needs of clients, the labour market, and the Ministry.
• 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 including building budget models and completing forecasting activities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including organizations or groups representing equity-deserving communities, Employment Service Providers and Indigenous Groups. Leverage these relationships to identify emerging gaps and service needs and inform unit and branch priorities.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills to effectively procure, monitor, evaluate service agreements, maintain relationship with key stakeholders and draft
  briefings and position papers.

Procurement Management

• Effectively manage procurement activities throughout the agreement lifecycle, including planning, administering, monitoring, and evaluating contracts and grants to ensure alignment with ministry policies and compliance with applicable legislation and procurement requirements. 
• Prioritize competing demands and operate effectively within tight timelines in a complex environment.

Role Responsibilities....cont'd.......

Reporting: 

• Collaborate with program delivery staff, service providers, employers, and other stakeholders to monitor and manage contracts and grants, ensuring compliance with agreements and policy. 
• Prepare reports on service utilization and performance to inform leadership decision-making and support recommendations regarding service effectiveness, continuation, or completion.

This competition will be used to fill two Contract and Procurement Specialist positions 

• Located in Red Deer, Stettler, Drumheller and other South Zone smaller urban and rural communities with Provincial offices may be considered.

The successful candidates will support the planning, procurement, management, and monitoring of contracted services that deliver meaningful outcomes for Albertans.
Contract and Procurement Specialists play a vital role in ensuring services are aligned with legislation, policy, program priorities, and regional needs. These positions require strong judgment, political acumen, effective relationship building skills, Indigenous awareness and experience, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a diverse stakeholder environment.

Please click on this link 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.

• Systems Thinking: Considers the broader service context, client needs, and interconnected impacts of contracting decisions.
• Agility: Navigates shifting priorities, emerging issues, and dynamic service environments while maintaining effective stakeholder relationships.
• Drive for Results: Prioritizes work, manages competing demands, and ensures procurement and monitoring activities meet required timelines and standards.
• Building Collaborative Environments: Encourages cooperation across regions, programs, and service providers by fostering trust, open communication, and shared problem solving.
• Creative Problem Solving: Analyzes complex issues, identifies root causes, and develops practical and innovative solutions to support service delivery and program outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard: 

• University graduation in a related field (Social Sciences, Social Work, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field).
• Four years of progressively responsible related experience in writing, particularly in responding to Action Requests, writing briefing materials, planning, contract management/negotiations, consulting, program evaluation, financial administration, and working with community-based resources.

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Preference will be given to the candidates with the following assets:

• Demonstrated procurement and project management experience, including planning, negotiation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of service agreements.
• Strong writing skills, including experience preparing briefings, Action Requests, and summarizing complex information.
• Solid understanding of financial administration, including forecasting, expenditure management, and accrual processes.
• Experience working with community-based service providers and building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and equity-deserving communities.
• Strong understanding of policy integration within contracts and grants.
• Knowledge of employment and career service programming, including labour market attachment, and experience applying relevant policies to support service delivery and outcomes.
• Understanding of external service delivery models and federal reporting requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and experience using systems or web-based tools for contract, grant, or client tracking.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including guiding stakeholders, influencing decisions, and supporting collaborative outcomes.

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.

Notes

Hours of work are Monday to Friday – 36.25 hours per week.

This is not a remote work opportunity.

Application Requirements:

As part of the application process, you are required to:

• Complete all pre-screen questions.
• A cover letter outlining why you are applying to this role and how your experience relates to the qualifications is required.
• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

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. 

Assessments and Testing
As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete written assessments, job related testing, or other evaluation components.

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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.