Procurement Policy and Project Lead

Job summary

Procurement Policy and Project Lead

£46,224 – £47,813 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits

Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need

Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Behind every UK or overseas project we support there’s a dedicated Procurement team making it all happen. They strive to provide value for money supply chains in a compliant manner to support the organisation, the FCDO and our wider market customers, shaping strategies for sustainable and ethical sourcing. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Sourcing for global projects
Balancing cost with quality
Having everything you need to grow

It all matters

Share your skills, expertise and knowledge in this significant new role

Join our close knit, inclusive and supportive Procurement team in this brand new role and it will be your task to focus on ensuring our policies and processes align with the latest legal and regulatory requirements. Working across the team and our wider organisation as you share your knowledge and expertise, you’ll have the opportunity to mould the role as you come up with innovative new ideas that improve the way we operate.

This is an extremely varied role – you’ll focus on a number of ad hoc projects involving areas such as commercial and ISO standards, security, sustainability and modern slavery, working and cooperating with colleagues and networking with other government departments. We’ll also expect you to provide expert advice and support to stakeholders, and ensure there is commercial knowledge across the business. Your additional tasks will include overseeing and updating the procurement area of our intranet, and providing the high quality education and information necessary to ensure internal customers are aware of the latest policies.

Use all your team working skills as you help defend the UK’s security interests

To be a success in this significant senior role you’ll have the confidence to work on your own initiative as you make this role your own, and collaborate and learn from established members of the team. Proactive, positive and flexible, you should be capable of interpreting and advising on the latest procurement legislation and government policies, while your superb project management and organisational skills will allow you to work well with colleagues at all levels of our organisation.

When it comes to qualifications, we’ll expect you to hold CIPS accreditation or have equivalent experience. In addition to extensive corporate policy experience involving senior stakeholder engagement, you should possess the skills to interpret and provide advice on relevant legislation, and be willing to work with colleagues from a range of other government departments.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Security Clearance (SC). You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Closing date: 2nd August 2026

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

• CIPS qualification or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of procurement policy and UK Public Procurement procedures
• Extensive corporate policy experience involving senior stakeholder engagement
• Experience and ability to interpret and provide advice on procurement legislation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff at all grades.
• Strong project management and organisational skills

Qualifications

If selecting “or similar equivalent” please provide details of qualification or experience you are using as equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Commercial Awareness
• CIPS qualification or equivalent experience
• Extensive corporate policy experience involving senior stakeholder
• Experience and ability to interpret and provide advice on procurement legislation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff at all grades
• Knowledge of procurement policy and UK Public Procurement procedures
• Extensive corporate policy experience involving senior stakeholder engagement
• Experience and ability to interpret and provide advice on procurement legislation

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• CIPS qualification or equivalent experience
• Extensive corporate policy experience involving senior stakeholder
• Experience and ability to interpret and provide advice on procurement legislation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff at all grades

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,224, FCDO Services contributes £13,391 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• A leave allowance of 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days
• Free Shuttle Bus from central Milton Keynes to Hanslope Park

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details

• career history with key responsibilities

• achievements

• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Dependant on the role include the candidate you will need to complete presentation along with the interview questions.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

Attachments

Candidate Pack C5 Procurement Policy & Project Lead Opens in new window (pdf, 1807kB)