Contract and Procurement Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The School Delivery and Partnerships (SD&P) is a division that leads the assessment and procurement processes for a wide range of infrastructure projects (e.g., education, housing, environment, health, transportation) via alternative capital financing strategies (e.g., private-public partnerships [P3], alternative procurement approaches). Opportunities are identified from either the GoA or private sector and then evaluated based on the strategies to access or create alternative financing solutions for the GoA.

The Contract & Procurement Specialist contributes to the Alberta's utilization of diverse alternative capital financing strategies to deliver infrastructure projects, through the effective assessment and development of creative financing and funding options and monitoring of related approved projects. The position leads the analysis of alternative funding options and works with multiple stakeholders within and outside the GoA (e.g., different ministries, industry) to define funding arrangements and project parameters. The Specialist prepares reports and develops recommendations on partnership opportunities. This position also contributes to the development and management of an overarching framework for alternative capital financing (e.g., assessment processes and guidelines) to increase consistency across projects.

Day to day work is diverse, including accounting and budget management, financial analyses and project value and viability assessments, market scans for opportunities including new forms of partnerships, and post-contract value for money assessments (when required or needed) to inform evidence-based policy development and management decisions.

The primary responsibilities for the Contract and Procurement Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying and exploring alternative financing / Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) options for infrastructure projects in collaboration with ministries and public agencies.
• Managing accounting and budgeting of the projects and P3 portfolio.
• Collecting and reviewing qualitative and quantitative information (also developing financial models if needed or required) to assist management in making decisions that optimize value in potential P3 opportunities
• Developing P3 Business Cases, managing Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) or Requests for Proposals (RFP) and approval processes in accordance with Alberta Public-Private Partnerships framework and Guideline
• Identifying and monitoring project scope, cost, and progress in consultation with other ministries and stakeholders to ensure value for money and alignment with government's strategic business plan and objectives.
• Completing assessment and review of existing and completed projects to identify lessons learned to shape ongoing management of the overarching framework and specific strategies.
• Conducting research on P3 approaches and identifying best practices used nationally and internationally and determining their relevance and applicability to Alberta.
• Developing responses to action requests, preparing briefing notes and reviewing communication releases.

Role Responsibilities cont'd....

The successful candidate will have strong and demonstrated:

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse stakeholders (e.g., professional services, private and public entities, government officials).
  Highly effectively verbal and written communication skills; ability to consult and negotiate the needs and priorities of multiple stakeholders
  Business acumen, accounting and financial analysis and multi-dimensional analytical ability.

The Job Description is provided for Further details on 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.   

• Systems Thinking – Considers inter-relationships and emerging trends to attain goals: The PPS position manages input into procurement documents from numerous internal and external stakeholders.
• Agility – Works in a changing environment and takes initiative to change: Procurement of projects within the Capital Plan requires PPS' to manage numerous projects simultaneously.
• Build Collaborative Environments – Facilitates open communication and leverages team skill: The PPS works with numerous stakeholders to gain agreement on a procurement document that meets the program's needs.
• Creative Problem Solving – Focuses on continuous improvement and increasing breadth of insight: The PPS is expected to find methods of resolving conflict within procurement facilitations and other meetings constructively and creatively which requires quick-thinking and respectful consideration of the environment.

Qualifications

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Economics, Engineering or related discipline.
• 4 years of progressively responsible related experience.
  
  

Assets:

• Master’s degree in relevant field or an MBA.
• Related experience in accounting and budgeting, project planning, business case development and contract management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of alternative capital financing /P3 options for public capital projects.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply Alberta Public-Private Partnership Framework and Guideline for P3 development and procurement processes, (e.g., P3 Business Case development, RFQ and RFP processes, and approval processes etc.)
• Understanding of Alberta’s Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Financial Administration Act, the Government Organization Act, and legislative and government decision-making processes.

Notes

This position is a Permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm).

Location: Edmonton AB.

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter and resume summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.  

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.

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. 
 
Links and information on what we have to offer:
   

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.